Adjectives-Grammatical categories, Semantic sublclasses of adj. as modifiers

· notional = derived from nouns

comparison / grading
exists only with adjectives and adverbs
means the expression of a comparison:
o to a higher degree (more, most) / positive
o to the same degree (as nice as) / comparative
o to a lower degree (less, least) / superlative

has 2 forms
inflectional
o by endings
periphrastic
o adjective is modified by more and most
o determined by the length of adjective
o two forms because of taking over from French grammar
Semantic subclasses of adjectives as modifiers:
stative x dynamic
stative = permanent quality which doesn’t allow progressive in a sentence (alive, dead, tall)
John is clever. (stative)
John has being clever. (dynamic – temporative quality)
John is a quick runner. (stative)
Be quick! (dynamic)

gradable x non-gradable
utter, top can’t be graded; express the gradable quality we can perceive
dead, optimal classes can’t be graded; express an absolute quality

inherent x non-inherent
inherent adjectives are used to denote an integral quality
non-inherent adjectives express the relationship, circumstance
a wooden cross (inherent) x a wooden actor (non-inherent)
a firm handshake (inherent) x a firm friend (non-inherent)

epithets x classifiers
epithets describe objective and subjective qualities of the entity
classifiers assign an entity to classes
beautiful music (epithet) x baroc music (classifier)
a long article (epithet) x a leading article (classifier)
a wet road (epithet) x a main roada diligent worker (epithet) x a social worker (classifier