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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  • Possible duplicate of Are the rules regarding absolute modifiers too absolute?
    – FumbleFingers
    1 hour ago















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







share|improve this question






















  • Possible duplicate of Are the rules regarding absolute modifiers too absolute?
    – FumbleFingers
    1 hour ago













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







share|improve this question













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






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asked 1 hour ago









yaobin

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  • 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




Possible duplicate of Are the rules regarding absolute modifiers too absolute?
– FumbleFingers
1 hour ago















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