Adjectives

Adjectives

1. Central ≠ Peripheral

   • They premodify a noun (attribute use)
     • They occur in predicative function (Co/Cs)
   • They satisfy at least one of these 2 criteria.
   • They can be modified by 'very'
   • They can take the comparative or superlative form

2. Morphology

   • SIMPLE: they are the most basic kind of descriptive adjectives and express quality.
   • COMPOUND: two words combined to create a descriptive adjective, typically connected with a hyphen. eg: baby-faced
   • DERIVATIONAL: when adjective-forming suffixes are added to common nouns or verbs.
   • PARTICIPIAL: they have the same suffixes as participles in -ing or -ed
   • DEGREE
     • Base form: it doesn't show comparison.
     • Comparative form
     • Superlative form

3. Semantic classification

   • Stative
     • denote relatively permanent states (not in the imperative or prog.)
     • Dynamic
       • denote attributes or characteristics that can usually be controlled by the person/animal/etc possessing them.
   • Gradable (they can be graded through comparison and/or intensifiers: slightly, very, extremely, quite, so)
     • ALL DYNAMIC AND MOST STATIVE
     • Non-gradable (they can't be graded as they don't vary in intensity).
   • Inherent: describe some inherent or intrinsic quality of a noun (new bike, wooden door, paper plate). DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION
     • Non-inherent: they don't directly characterize a noun. They are metaphorically used.

4. Syntatic classification

   • Attributive (premodify a nph)
   • Predicative to nph and clauses (Cs/Co)
   • Postpositive (postmodifier)
   • Head of Nph
     • Personal adj head. eg: the poor
     • Abstract adj head. eg: the mystical
     • Nationality names. eg: the Dutch