Routledge Dictionary of Language and Linguistics.pdf

A-Z 481ReferencesgovernmentGPSGGeneralized Phrase StructureGrammargradable complementariesA class of complementary expressions ( complementarity) so named by Cruse (1980)because they are both scalar and gradable, e.g. clean vs dirty. In contrast to antonymousexpressions ( antonymy), gradable complementaries divide the conceptual domaininto two mutually exclusive segments. In order to understand gradable complementaries,one must generally make a value judgment about the degree to which a characteristic isundesirable, e.g. safe vs dangerous or sober vs drunk.ReferencesCruse, D.A. 1980. Antonyms and gradable complementaries. In D.Kastovsky (ed.), Perspektivender lexikalischen Semantik. Bonn. 14–25.semantic relationsgradationSemantic category which indicates various degrees (i.e. gradation) of a property or stateof affairs. The most important means of gradation are the comparative and superlativedegrees of adjectives and some (deadjectival) adverbs. In addition, varying degrees ofsome property can also be expressed lexically, e.g. especially/ really quick, quick aslightning, quicker and quicker.