absolute adjectives
Adjectives that name a complete state and, in strict use, take no degree.
An absolute adjective names a condition that either holds or does not. This class includes words such as unique, perfect, complete, equal, eternal, dead, pregnant, and universal. Because the condition has no middle ground, words of degree such as very, more, most, and somewhat make no sense with these adjectives. For example, unique means one of a kind, and one thing cannot be more one of a kind than another. Words such as almost and nearly are correct, because they measure how close something comes to the state rather than grading the state: almost unique, nearly perfect, virtually complete. In an established phrase, such as a more perfect union from the Preamble to the United States Constitution, the graded form is correct.
Examples
UseThe design is unique. (no other design is like it)
UseThe design is almost unique. (almost measures how close it comes, so it does not grade the word)
AvoidThe design is very unique. (one of a kind has no degrees; say very unusual)
UseThe restoration is nearly complete. (nearly measures the distance to finished)
AvoidThe restoration is more complete than last year’s. (complete has no degrees; say farther along)
In everyday speech, phrases such as very unique and more perfect are common; however, many people judge the speaker who uses them. The above is our guidance.