oa Een opmerkelijk bijwoord van graad: licht

The word licht ’light’, meaning not heavy, can be used as an intensifier (adverb of degree). As such it is unique, because it can function both as a a downtoner and an amplifier. In the latter function it combines with (weak) modal expressions, in particular with modal infinitive constructions like te begrijpen ‘to understand’ and with adjectives with the suffix –baar, like ontvlambaar ‘inflammable’. In combination with other adjectives and verbal expressions it functions as a downtoner. These two possibilities are due to the polysemy of licht.