What is a central adjective?

Answer 1

We have now looked at the main criteria for the adjective class - gradability, comparative and superlative forms, and the ability to occur attributively and predicatively. Most adjectives fulfil all these criteria, and are known as CENTRAL adjectives. Those which do not fulfil all the criteria are known as PERIPHERAL adjectives. In terms of syntactic function, adjective can be divided into two groups: central adjectives and peripheral adjectives.

a. central adjectives

　　Most adjectives can be used both as modifier in a noun phrase and as subject/object complement. These adjectives are called central adjectives. In the following three examples green is a central adjective, functioning as modifier of nouns, subject complement and object complement receptively: Green apples are sour. (modifier in a noun phrase) Those apples are green. (subject complement) They have painted the door green. (object complement) b. peripheral adjectives

　　Peripheral adjectives refer to the few which can not satisfy both requirements. Some peripheral adjectives can only act as pre-modifier, e.g. chief, main, principal, utter, sheer, etc. 　　other peripheral adjectives can only act as complement, e.g. afloat, afraid, asleep, alone, alive, etc.