Unit 4.2
Adjective Gradability
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Introduction
The adjective [adjetivo] modifies the noun, indicating its characteristics or qualities.
There are three degrees of the adjective [grados del adjectivo]: positive, superlative (absolute or relative), and comparative (of superiority, equality, inferiority, and the most frequent Latin cult comparatives).
Form
The positive and absolute superlative degrees are formed differently.
Positive degree
- The positive degree has no modifiers: alto, hermoso, triste, etc.
Absolute superlative degree
- The absolute superlative degree is used with the adverb muy: muy alto, muy hermoso, muy triste, etc.
Example
- Tiene unos hermosos ojos pequeños;
- Lleva un largo bigote;
- Sus modernas gafas brillan en la oscuridad;
- Sus pequeños ojos son muy hermosos;
- El bigote que lleva es muy largo;
- Esas gafas que brillan en la oscuridad son muy modernas.
Use
The adjective is used to add information to a noun, describing the attributes of a noun, and modify the noun, indicating its characteristics or qualities.
The positive and absolute superlative degrees are used for different purposes:
- the positive degree is used to express the quality of the noun neutrally;
- the absolute superlative degree is used to express a very high degree of quality of the noun without comparing it.
Summary
Adjectives indicate characteristics of nouns. In Spanish, there are three degrees of the adjective: positive, superlative (absolute or relative) and comparative (of superiority, equality, inferiority and the most frequent Latin cult comparatives).
- The positive degree is used to express a quality of the noun in a neutral form;
- The absolute superative degree is used to express a very high degree of a noun quality without comparison.
The positive degree has no modifiers; The absolute superative degree is used with the adverb muy.
For example:
—«Mi pelo largo». = expresses a quality “largo” of the “pelo” in a neutral form;
—«Mi pelo es muy largo». = expresses a very high quality “largo” of the “pelo”.
Check the contents of the {Form} section. Then move on to the {Example} section, which shows you the usage in context.
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