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Cross-classification of gradable and non-gradable adjectives

238e

Although adjectives can generally be classified as gradable or non-gradable, 

they can be used (often with a shift in meaning or connotation) as if they were

members of the other class. For example, if an adjective normally classified as

non-gradable is premodified as if it were gradable, it is usually interpreted 

non-literally:

They were all being 

very Scottish.

(probably interpreted as ‘behaving in an exaggeratedly or stereotypically

Scottish manner’)

Similarly, gradable adjectives can be treated as if they were non-gradable and

premodified by items associated with non-gradable meanings:

The weather was 

absolutely beautiful.

(i.e. it was beautiful to the highest possible degree)

That suggestion is 

totally stupid.