ADJECTIVES

ADJECTIVESSEMANTIC SUBCLASSIFICATION

Semantic Classification of the Adjectives

STATIVE X DYNAMIC (On a permanent basis) (Specific of a time)

a) He’s being careful. / Be careful! (both are dynamic in these contexts)

b) Be tall! (IMPOSSIBLE = “Tall” cannot be a dynamic adjective)

c) He is smart. (stative)d) He is being smart. (dynamic)

Semantic Classification of the Adjectives

Gradable X Non-Gradable

a) Atomic scientist. (non-gradable)

b) A very nice moment. (gradable)

Semantic Classification of the Adjectives

Inherent X Non-Inherent

a) That old man. (Inherent)b) An old friend. (Non-inherent)

c) A firm handshake. (Inherent) d) A firm friend. (Non-inherent)

ORDER OF ADJECTIVES

DETERMINER +

opinion/ size/ shape/ age/ color/ origin/ material/ denominal

+ NOUN

ORDER OF ADJECTIVES

DETERMINER:

A, All, This, That, Two, Ten, etc + TABLE(S)

ORDER OF ADJECTIVES

OPINION:

Beautiful + TABLE

ORDER OF ADJECTIVES

SIZE:

Big + TABLE

ORDER OF ADJECTIVES

SHAPE:

Oval + TABLE

ORDER OF ADJECTIVES

AGE:

Old + TABLE

ORDER OF ADJECTIVES

COLOR:

Blue + TABLE

ORDER OF ADJECTIVES

ORIGIN:

Chinese + TABLE

ORDER OF ADJECTIVES

MATERIAL:

Wooden + TABLE

ORDER OF ADJECTIVES

DENOMINAL:

Coffee + TABLE

ORDER OF ADJECTIVES

A beautiful big oval old blue

Chinese wooden coffee

TABLE