Semantics of Impossibility in the Aspect of Categories of Intensification and Evaluation

Using the example of the adjectives inexpressible and incomprehensible, the article examines the connection between the modal semantics of impossibility and the functions of the intensifier and evaluative word. The modality of the impossibility of important human cognitive actions determines the connection of the inexpressible and incomprehensible characteristics with the concept of the norm. What cannot be expressed or comprehended is interpreted as a deviation from the norm, therefore, in combination with nouns denoting a gradable attribute, these adjectives act as intensifiers. Both intensifying adjectives are combined with nominations of both positively and negatively assessed features, phenomena, and states. Among the nouns to which the adjective inexpressible gravitates, there are more those that denote temporary signs and states that, as a rule, have external manifestations. The adjective incomprehensible tends to be combined with nominations of such qualities that may have a timeless, hidden character. It also has the function of intensifying quantitative, including dimensional, characteristics. The semantics of impossibility has no direct connection with the category of evaluation, but the context can “guide” the evaluative meaning to the adjectives in question. It is shown that the function of evaluative nomination is more characteristic of the adjective incomprehensible, which is explained by the influence of the motivating verb: the inability to comprehend the logic of something causes surprise, associated with positive or negative emotions. The evaluative semantics of both adjectives is ambivalent in nature and is determined by their contextual connections and the general meaning of the sentence.