"Right" is gradable adjective or non gradable?

[sb70012]

Hello teachers,

The word "Right" is gradable adjective or non gradable?

I mean can we say "very right"?
Or
Can we say "righter than ...."?

No source/Self made
Many thanks in advance.

 

[Rover_KE]

No to the above examples, but we often say 'You're quite right' or 'that's not quite right'.

 

[sb70012]

No to the above examples, but we often say 'You're quite right' or 'that's not quite right'.

Thanks for answering, so it's non gradable. Right?

 

[Amigos4]

Thanks for answering, so it's non gradable. Right?

The correct spelling is non-gradable.

 

[sb70012]

The correct spelling is non-gradable.

Thanks for correction. So the word "right" is non-gradable, right?

 

[sb70012]

Let me give you some more context.
Suppose that a father has two sons. One is Alex and one is John. These two sons are discussing about something scientific. After the conclusion the father says to his wife: "I think Alex is righter than John" or "I think Alex is more right than Jon" What about now?

 

[Amigos4]

Thanks for correction. So the word "right" is non-gradable, right?

You are correct. "Right" is non-gradable.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Thanks for correction. So the word "right" is non-gradable, right?

Again, not so simple. We have an idiom "right as rain". There is another that is "righter than rain".

Webster's Third lists grades of "right" (it has many definitions). This is the beginning:

Main Entry:1right
Pronunciation:*r*t, usu -*d.+V
Function:adjective
Inflected Form:sometimes -er/-est
Etymology:Middle English riht, right, from Old English riht; akin to Old High German reht right, Old Norse r*ttr, Gothic raihts right, Latin rectus straight, right, regere to lead straight, guide, rule, rogare to ask, Greek oregein to stretch out, orektos stretched out, upright, Sanskrit *jyati, **jati he stretches, hastens, raji straightening up, straight; basic meaning: straight


1 : disposed to do what is just or good : RIGHTEOUS, UPRIGHT *a God of faithfulness T just and right is he Deut 32:4 (Revised Standard Version)* *the right soul, high and true and pure W.L.Sullivan* *a right conscience* *a right man*
2 a : being in accordance with what is just, good, or proper *conflicting notions of right conduct B.N.Cardozo* *teach young girls right behavior when faced with T temptations London Calling* *it is right that we should do this* *religious teachings as to what is right and what is wrong* *doing something he thought not quite right* b : held to be in accordance with justice, morality, and goodness usually because approved...

 

[sb70012]

Thanks for answering, but let's not think about idioms.
Suppose that a father has two sons. One is Alex and one is John. These two sons are discussing about something scientific. After the conclusion the father says to his wife: "I think Alex is righter than John" or "I think Alex is more right than Jon" What about now? (can it be used in comparative form or not)

 

[emsr2d2]

For me, a scientific question has a right answer and multiple wrong answers. I don't see how someone can be "righter" or "more right" than another in the context you proposed.

 

[Amigos4]

Thanks for answering, but let's not think about idioms.
Suppose that a father has two sons. One is Alex and one is John. These two sons are discussing about something scientific. After the conclusion the father says to his wife: "I think Alex is righter than John" or "I think Alex is more right than Jon" What about now? (can it be used in comparative form or not)

I say "no".
In your example, Alex is "right"; John is still missing parts of the "right" answer/solution.
So, the father says to his wife: "I think Alex is right. John's answer is not as complete as Alex's answer."

 

[emsr2d2]

Saying that one brother's answer is "more right" than the other brother's sounds like an example of parents desperately trying to be careful not to upset one of their children. Schools and parents seem to have an issue these days with the word "wrong".

 

[MikeNewYork]

Thanks for answering, but let's not think about idioms.
Suppose that a father has two sons. One is Alex and one is John. These two sons are discussing about something scientific. After the conclusion the father says to his wife: "I think Alex is righter than John" or "I think Alex is more right than Jon" What about now? (can it be used in comparative form or not)

In most cases, "right" is not gradable. I grant you that. But you are looking for absolutes and are likely to find few of them in this area.

 

[Tdol]

In most cases, "right" is not gradable. I grant you that. But you are looking for absolutes and are likely to find few of them in this area.

I agree completely- it's not an absolute distinction.

I mean can we say "very right"?

Very right sounds odd, but we can be very wrong.