The extreme adjectives for "wet" are soaked, soaking, and drenched.
Understanding Extreme Adjectives
Extreme adjectives, also known as non-gradable or absolute adjectives, describe qualities that are at the highest possible degree. Unlike regular or "gradable" adjectives (e.g., wet, cold, good) which can be made stronger with adverbs like "very," "quite," or "a bit," extreme adjectives already express a complete or absolute state. You wouldn't say "very soaked" because "soaked" already implies being completely wet.
Here's a breakdown of how they work:
- Gradable Adjectives: Can be used with adverbs of degree.
- Example: It was very wet.
- Extreme Adjectives: Cannot typically be used with adverbs of degree like "very." They stand on their own to express the maximum degree.
- Example: My clothes were soaked.
Common Extreme Adjectives
Many common base adjectives have corresponding extreme forms. Understanding these can significantly enhance your vocabulary and make your descriptions more vivid.
| Base Adjective | Extreme Adjective(s) |
|---|---|
| wet | soaked, soaking, drenched |
| cold | freezing, frozen, glacial |
| angry | furious, infuriated, enraged |
| hot | boiling, sweltering, scorching |
| tired | exhausted, worn out |
| hungry | starving |
| good | excellent, perfect, fantastic |
| bad | awful, terrible, dreadful |
| big | enormous, gigantic, immense |
| small | tiny, miniature |
Using Extreme Adjectives Effectively
When writing or speaking, choosing an extreme adjective over a gradable one with an intensifier can make your language more precise and impactful.
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Instead of saying: "The rain made me very wet."
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Say: "The rain left me drenched."
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Instead of saying: "I am very cold."
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Say: "I am freezing."
These words convey the intensity without needing additional modifiers, making your communication more direct and powerful.
