List of Absolute Adjectives

Some adjectives express ideas that cannot be graded . For example, a person can’t be  more or less dead . In the same way, a sphere can’t be more or less round . In grammars these adjectives are called non-gradable  or absolute adjectives.

Non-gradable adjectives do not have comparative or superlative forms . There are very few non-gradable adjectives , so you can learn them by heart if you really want. Here is a list of common non-gradable adjectives in English. Note that this is not a comprehensive list.

Examples:

Absolute, impossible, principal, adequate, inevitable, sufficient, complete, main, unanimous, unavoidable, entire, minor, fatal, unique, final, universal, ideal, whole, preferable, dead etc.

Exceptions

Although the adjectives given above are not normally used in comparative and superlative forms, you might still hear expressions like more complete  or most perfect . Though incorrect, these expressions are quite common in speech and they have become sort of acceptable, too. However, if you are a careful user of the language, you must avoid them especially in writing.

Also be careful, not to use more  along with a comparative adjective ending in –er  and most  with a superlative adjective ending in -est . Do not write more taller  or most smartest.  These are examples of double comparatives and superlatives. They are always wrong and must be avoided.

Examples:

  • She is prettier than  her sister. (NOT She is more prettier than  her sister.)

Some compound adjectives have two possible comparatives and superlatives.

Examples:

  • Positive: g ood-looking
  • Comparative: b etter-looking  or more good-looking
  • Superlative: b est-looking  or most good-looking
  • Positive: w ell-known
  • Comparative: b etter-known  or more well-known
  • Superlative:  best-known  or most well-known

In this case, you can decide which form you want to use, but don’t write most best-known  or more better-looking.

List of Absolute Adjectives
absolute exhausted principal
accurate extinct pure
adequate false red
alive fantastic ridiculous
ancient fatal round
alive final single
ancient freezing square
awful full starving
basic furious straight
brilliant gorgeous superior
certain hilarious supreme
complete horrible terrible
correct huge terrified
dead ideal tiny
devoid inferior total
different impossible true
double incredible ultimate
empty inevitable unanimous
enormous infinite unavoidable
enough main unique
entire minor universal
equal perfect unknown
essential possible whole
eternal preferable wonderful