Adjectives Flashcards
what is gradability
the observation that languages have was of expressing different degrees of the qualities that they denote
(scalar properties)
give a property of antonym adjective pairs
they are not always symmetrical re how they interact with he language
-usually, one is favoured to ask questions about values on the scale
how old? not how young?
what are linguistic reflexes
properties
give some linguistic reflexes about gradability
GAs can be used to form comparatives and superlatives
they can be used with degree modifiers (very,too)
cannot be used with adverbs which express totality (utterly)
give a non gradable adjective
open/closed
give an example of a non gradable adjective in a gradable structure
How French is she?
to what extent does she fit our prototype
what is a superlative
adjectives that denote extreme ends of scales
-best/fastest
how are superlatives and grading related
superlatives are resistant to grading
-bestest
what kind of adjectives are resistant to grading
adjs which denote extreme values, unless adding emphasis
-freezing
what are the differences between non gradable and gradable adjectives
extreme non gradables can be modified by maximiser adverbs (absolutely true)
give the main two types of adjectives
predicative (that person is stupid)
attributive (that stupid person)
give the sub categories of attributive adjectives
intersective
subsective
modal
what is an intersective adjective? Give an example
the adjective intersects with other uses of the same descriptor
green bicycle
what are subsective adjectives? give examples
skillful/tall: when describing a person
people are not the first thing you think of for tall objects: tall for an X
-compoisiton of the adjective with a nominal returns a subset of the nominal
give examples of modal adjectives
former/possible/suspected
