Thursday, September 16, 2010

Absolute Modifiers: The Meaning of Unique



Michael writes:
Hey Snarky,
My English teacher printed out an MTV.com story and highlighted where Diddy says of Rick Ross, "He's a very unique artist." Our assignment is to figure out what's wrong with that statement. But I don't see anything wrong with it.

My guess is that your class is going to be having a discussion about absolute modifiers, and that your teacher is going to say that the word unique is an absolute modifier. In this example, I don't agree that it is.

Quick rule: 
  • Absolute modifiers are adjectives and adverbs that shouldn't be compared or modified because they have an absolute, all-or-nothing quality. Examples of absolute modifiers include complete, perfect, final, total, and (often) unique. For example, the word perfect means 'having no room for improvement.' You wouldn't say that a grade of 100% was 'very perfect.' You'd simply say that it was perfect. 

The word unique is an absolute modifier when used in the sense of being 'one-of-a-kind' or 'the one and only.' Lady Gaga is very unique.

Yet both the Oxford Dictionary and Merriam-Webster Dictionary include an alternative definition for unique: 'unusual' or 'very remarkable.' It seems to me that when Diddy calls Rick Ross a "very unique artist," he means it in this sense. So in this example, unique doesn't qualify as an absolute modifier.

The big picture: This is a great reminder of how the rules of language are neither set in stone nor locked in a box. Grammar is constantly evolving because it is always being influenced by common usage.

Should dictionaries and style guides set the grammar standard or is their purpose to reflect common usage? What do you think?

11 comments:

  1. My son wrote a story this week for his third grade class. Apparently he saw the "happiest happiest fish in the ocean" last Sunday in Miami Beach. Must have been South Beach is what I am thinking.

    ReplyDelete
  2. To get all method of paraphrasing then click here online paraphrase.That site surely enhance your interest in grammar and paraphrasing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. In this life we cannot always do great things. But we can do small things with great love
    Obat kencing nanah di apotik

    ReplyDelete



  4. I must say, your writing skills are excellent. Thanks for drafting and sharing such an outstanding post. Keep growing with your efforts. I would like to tell you about the best technical services for QuickBooks. Connect with the well-established team of experts for assistance at QuickBooks Helpline Number +1-844-200-2627.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Very well explained and knowledgeable blog click bellow to get QuickBooks support in Texas
    QuickBooks Customer Service Number 833-933-3468 in texas

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nice Blog!
    Know More About QuickBooks error code 6129 0? Get live support 24*7 from QuickBooks expert on tool-free Number.
    Click here to know How fix QuickBooks error code 6129 0
    Dial for any tech support: 1-844-908-0801

    ReplyDelete
  7. Let our team handle your errors that appears in your QuickBooks software. We have a skilled and talented team of experts who can help fix your problems instantly. Call us at QuickBooks Support Phone Number illinois today.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hey! Mind-blowing blog. After reading your blog, I immediately subscribed to your channel. QuickBooks is a popular accounting software; however, it is not free from errors. To fix such issues, dial QuickBooks Customer Support Number Virginia. ** and get the best solutions for QuickBooks queries.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi! Amazing blog. Your blog gives me a thorough knowledge of the topic. In case you find any technical trouble in QuickBooks, dial QuickBooks Support Phone Number and get premium support service from experts.

    ReplyDelete