Elative

The elative is a combination of the adjective . In German it is either formally identical to the superlative or is formed using prefixes or a degree particle preceding the adjective . The elative, also known as an absolute superlative , indicates a very high degree outside of a comparison, while the relative superlative emphasizes what has been described in comparison to others.

Relative superlative or superlative in the narrow sense: "We work with the most modern machines of their kind." (Comparative)
Absolute superlative or elative: "We work with the most modern machines." (Independent of other machines, the machines are outstanding.)
Elativ (particle): "We work with extremely modern machines."
Elativ (prefix): "We work with highly modern machines."

Often the last two forms appear from local dialects or sociolects from words. Prefixes such as ore , heavy, super, mega, originally, end, top and are used to form, for example, ultra conservative, very rich, super fast, mega full, hilarious endschnell and oberfaul used. Corresponding intensive particles are very, concrete, full, fat, blatant, bad, rough, hammer , bad.

Superlative forms without endings such as most, sincerely are also considered elatives, but must not be confused with the hyperlative .

Examples of elatives are: with the best will, with the slightest sign, most kindly, in deepest sadness, with the kindest regards, to our complete satisfaction . However, is by no means strictly a Elative, that the word no not an adjective, but an indefinite pronoun is; therefore none cannot be increased. This rather colloquial phrase is therefore controversial. According to the linguistic column onion fish , an increase of no logical thought is not possible, but stylistically, because the elative is used out of competition, i.e. without making a real comparison.

The elative is also common in Arabic . It is used to express comparative and superlative forms .

Web links

Wiktionary: Elative - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Information on the Elativ at Canoonet

Individual evidence

↑ Wolfgang Imo: Everyday writing as an indicator of language decline? In: Susanne Günthner, Wolfgang Imo, Dorothee Meer, Jan Georg Schneider: Communication and the public: Linguistic potential between empiricism and norm. Verlag Walter de Gruyter, Berlin / Boston 2012, p. 234.
^ Hans Wehr : Der arabische Elativ (= treatises of the academy of science and literature Mainz. Humanities and social science class. Born 1952, number 7). Verlag der Akademie der Wissenschaften und der Literatur, Mainz (commissioned by Franz Steiner, Wiesbaden).

[1] Wolfgang Imo: Everyday writing as an indicator of language decline? In: Susanne Günthner, Wolfgang Imo, Dorothee Meer, Jan Georg Schneider: Communication and the public: Linguistic potential between empiricism and norm. Verlag Walter de Gruyter, Berlin / Boston 2012, p. 234.

[2] Hans Wehr : Der arabische Elativ (= treatises of the academy of science and literature Mainz. Humanities and social science class. Born 1952, number 7). Verlag der Akademie der Wissenschaften und der Literatur, Mainz (commissioned by Franz Steiner, Wiesbaden).