The dictionary recognizes Van as both a conjunction and a preposition because it is.
We know it is because it acts like one.
We need to talk about whether something can be more unique or even perish the thought, unicor.
Coming up on Word Matters, absolute and gradeable adjectives and what kind of a word is then?
I'm Emily Brewster and Word Matters is produced by Merriam-Webster in collaboration with New England Public Media.
On each episode, Merriam-Webster editors Neil Servin, Amon Shea,
Peter Sokolowski and I explore some aspect of the English language from the dictionary's vantage point.
Let's talk about adjectives.
Typically, an adjective can be graded according to degrees.
Cute, cuter, cutest, good, better, best.
But some adjectives eschew such treatment.
Something unique, for example, is in a class all its own.
It can't be more unique than something else.
Or can it?
Here's Amon Shea on gradable and not-so-gradable adjectives.
Today, we are going to talk about gradable adjectives.
Woo-hoo!
Gradable.
I hope you all have your... gradable pants on.
Are grading pens?