Is the word “salient” gradable?
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The entry on Cambridge online dictionary provides two meanings:
- The salient facts about something or qualities of something are the most important things about them
- [not gradable] most noticeable or important
The dictionary says "not gradable" explicitly in the second explanation, but the word's meaning seems to suggest "the most important" already so I think this adjective is not gradable.
If you search on this website, you'll find some posts that say "more salient" or "the most salient."
I believe in a more casual and informal situation, using it in a gradable way is fine; but strictly speaking, is it gradable?
word-usage
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The entry on Cambridge online dictionary provides two meanings:
- The salient facts about something or qualities of something are the most important things about them
- [not gradable] most noticeable or important
The dictionary says "not gradable" explicitly in the second explanation, but the word's meaning seems to suggest "the most important" already so I think this adjective is not gradable.
If you search on this website, you'll find some posts that say "more salient" or "the most salient."
I believe in a more casual and informal situation, using it in a gradable way is fine; but strictly speaking, is it gradable?
word-usage
Possible duplicate of Are the rules regarding absolute modifiers too absolute?
– FumbleFingers
1 hour ago
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
The entry on Cambridge online dictionary provides two meanings:
- The salient facts about something or qualities of something are the most important things about them
- [not gradable] most noticeable or important
The dictionary says "not gradable" explicitly in the second explanation, but the word's meaning seems to suggest "the most important" already so I think this adjective is not gradable.
If you search on this website, you'll find some posts that say "more salient" or "the most salient."
I believe in a more casual and informal situation, using it in a gradable way is fine; but strictly speaking, is it gradable?
word-usage
The entry on Cambridge online dictionary provides two meanings:
- The salient facts about something or qualities of something are the most important things about them
- [not gradable] most noticeable or important
The dictionary says "not gradable" explicitly in the second explanation, but the word's meaning seems to suggest "the most important" already so I think this adjective is not gradable.
If you search on this website, you'll find some posts that say "more salient" or "the most salient."
I believe in a more casual and informal situation, using it in a gradable way is fine; but strictly speaking, is it gradable?
word-usage
word-usage
asked 1 hour ago
yaobin
317510
317510
Possible duplicate of Are the rules regarding absolute modifiers too absolute?
– FumbleFingers
1 hour ago
add a comment |
Possible duplicate of Are the rules regarding absolute modifiers too absolute?
– FumbleFingers
1 hour ago
Possible duplicate of Are the rules regarding absolute modifiers too absolute?
– FumbleFingers
1 hour ago
Possible duplicate of Are the rules regarding absolute modifiers too absolute?
– FumbleFingers
1 hour ago
add a comment |
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Possible duplicate of Are the rules regarding absolute modifiers too absolute?
– FumbleFingers
1 hour ago