Non gradeable adjectives

Question

Hi.I was taught that nongradeable adjectives cannot have comparative and superlative forms.But OED suggests huger and hugest as comparative and superlative of the adjective huge.Isn't huge a nongradeable adjective?Is the word huger familiar to a native speaker's ear ?Thanks for your help

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

hrsaneiIsn't huge a nongradeable adjective?

Interesting question. The answer may differ from speaker to speaker. Personally, I take it as gradable, though I would say "more huge" and probably not "huger". "Huger" just seems to strike my ear in an unpleasant way.

CJ

Hrsanei · Answer

Thank you very much Jim.

Isn't a bit odd that more huge is used for one syllable adjective such as huge.

Thanks

Dave_anon · Answer

Hi

This has been mentioned recently and the best rule seems to be that only short Anglo / Saxon / Celtic words can have a comparative with -er. Huge is from old French

The other example was "correct" - you cannot usually say: his response was correcter

However, from French, it is OK to say: his response was politer

So there does not seem to be a rule - each word has to be taken as you find it

Regards, Dave

CalifJim · Answer

hrsaneiIsn't a bit odd that more huge is used for one syllable adjective such as huge.

It isn't odd to me. There are a few one-syllable adjectives that I treat that way. I tend to do this when the adjective ends in "r", for example. more clear sounds better to me than clearer. Maybe it's just my personal preference.

CJ

Hrsanei · Answer

Thanks for your useful and informative responses.

Non gradeable adjectives

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