Degrees of Comparison: Understanding Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

What are Degrees of Comparison?

Degrees of comparison refer to the forms of adjectives and adverbs used to compare one or more entities.

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Degrees of comparison are variations in the form of adjectives and adverbs used to describe and compare qualities. These degrees are used to express how one entity differs from another in terms of size, quality, quantity, or any other measurable attribute.

Types of Degrees of Comparison

There are three degrees of comparison:

1. Positive Degree.

2. Comparative Degree.

3. Superlative Degree.

1. Positive Degree

Definition: The positive degree is the basic form of an adjective or adverb, used when no comparison is being made. It simply describes a quality or characteristic of one person, thing, or concept.

Example:

• "John is tall."

• In this sentence, "tall" is in the positive degree, describing John’s height without comparing it to anyone else’s.

Use: The positive degree is used when you want to express a quality that a subject possesses without comparing it to others.

2. Comparative Degree

Definition: The comparative degree is used to compare the qualities of two entities. It indicates that one has more or less of a particular quality than the other.

Formation:

• For one-syllable adjectives: Add "-er" to the adjective (e.g., "taller").

• For two-syllable adjectives ending in "y": Change "y" to "i" and add "-er" (e.g., "happier").

• For longer adjectives: Use "more" or "less" before the adjective (e.g., "more beautiful").

Examples:

• "John is taller than Mike."

• Here, "taller" is the comparative degree of "tall," showing that John’s height is greater than Mike’s.

• "This movie is more interesting than the book."

• "More interesting" is the comparative form used to compare the movie with the book.

Use: The comparative degree is used when comparing two subjects or objects to show the difference in their qualities.

3. Superlative Degree

Definition: The superlative degree is used to compare three or more entities, indicating the highest or lowest degree of quality among them.

Formation:

• For one-syllable adjectives: Add "-est" to the adjective (e.g., "tallest").

• For two-syllable adjectives ending in "y": Change "y" to "i" and add "-est" (e.g., "happiest").

• For longer adjectives: Use "most" or "least" before the adjective (e.g., "most beautiful").

Examples:

• "John is the tallest in the class."

• "Tallest" is the superlative degree of "tall," indicating that John’s height is greater than everyone else’s in the class.

• "This is the most interesting book I’ve ever read."

• "Most interesting" is the superlative form, showing that this book is more interesting than all others the speaker has read.

Use: The superlative degree is used to show that one subject or object has the most or least of a particular quality among three or more entities.

Rules for Using Degrees of Comparison

When using degrees of comparison in English, certain rules must be followed to ensure proper grammar. These rules help in forming the positive, comparative, and superlative degrees of adjectives and adverbs.

1. Forming the Positive Degree

• Rule: The positive degree is the base form of the adjective or adverb.

• Use: It is used when there is no comparison being made.

• Example: "She is smart." (No comparison)

2. Forming the Comparative Degree

• One-Syllable Adjectives:

• Rule: Add "-er" to the adjective.

• Example: "fast" becomes "faster."

• Two-Syllable Adjectives Ending in 'y':

• Rule: Change "y" to "i" and add "-er."

• Example: "happy" becomes "happier."

• Adjectives with Two or More Syllables:

• Rule: Use "more" or "less" before the adjective.

• Example: "beautiful" becomes "more beautiful."

• Irregular Comparatives:

• Rule: Some adjectives have irregular comparative forms.

• Example: "good" becomes "better."

• Use: The comparative degree is used to compare two entities.

• Example: "She is smarter than her brother."

3. Forming the Superlative Degree

• One-Syllable Adjectives:

• Rule: Add "-est" to the adjective.

• Example: "fast" becomes "fastest."

• Two-Syllable Adjectives Ending in 'y':

• Rule: Change "y" to "i" and add "-est."

• Example: "happy" becomes "happiest."

• Adjectives with Two or More Syllables:

• Rule: Use "most" or "least" before the adjective.

• Example: "beautiful" becomes "most beautiful."

• Irregular Superlatives:

• Rule: Some adjectives have irregular superlative forms.

• Example: "good" becomes "best."

• Use: The superlative degree is used to compare three or more entities.

• Example: "She is the smartest in the class."

4. Special Rules and Tips

• Avoid Double Comparatives/Superlatives:

• Rule: Do not use "more" or "most" with adjectives that already end in "-er" or "-est."

• Example: Incorrect: "more smarter." Correct: "smarter."

• Use of Adverbs:

• Rule: Adverbs follow similar rules. For example, "quickly" becomes "more quickly" in the comparative degree and "most quickly" in the superlative degree.

• Absolute Adjectives:

• Rule: Adjectives like "unique," "perfect," and "empty" do not have comparative or superlative forms because they represent absolute qualities.

• Context Matters:

• Tip: Always consider the context of the sentence when choosing the degree of comparison to ensure it makes logical sense.

How to Use Degrees of Comparison in Sentences

1. Comparing Two Entities:

• Use the Comparative Degree:

• Example: "John is taller than Mike."

• This sentence compares the height of John and Mike, showing that John is taller.

2. Comparing More than Two Entities:

• Use the Superlative Degree:

• Example: "John is the tallest in his family."

• This sentence compares John's height with everyone in his family, indicating he is the tallest.

3. Describing a Single Entity:

• Use the Positive Degree:

• Example: "John is tall."

• This sentence simply describes John's height without comparison.

4. Using in Writing and Speaking:

• Tip: When writing or speaking, always ensure that the degree of comparison you use accurately reflects the number of entities being compared and their qualities.

By following these rules and guidelines, you can effectively use degrees of comparison in your writing and speaking to express comparisons clearly and correctly.

Degrees of Comparison Examples

In English, degrees of comparison are used to describe how one thing compares to another in terms of quality, quantity, or extent. There are three degrees: positive, comparative, and superlative. Here are examples for each degree:

1. Positive Degree:

• Adjective: Tall

• Example: John is tall.

2. Comparative Degree:

• Adjective: Taller

• Example: John is taller than Mark.

3. Superlative Degree:

• Adjective: Tallest

• Example: John is the tallest in the group.

Degrees of Comparison Chart

Here are the degrees of comparison chart organised into proper tables:

Type 1: One-Syllable Adjectives with Doubled Final Consonants

Type 2: One-Syllable and Some Two-Syllable Adjectives with Regular Formation

Type 3: Two-Syllable Adjectives Not Ending in 'y'

Type 4: Two-syllable adjectives Ending in 'y'

Type 5: Multi-Syllable Adjectives Using "More" and "Most"

Type 6: Irregular Adjectives with Unique Forms

These charts break down the formation of comparative and superlative forms for each type of adjective.

Check Your Understanding of Degrees of Comparison

Here are some exercises to help you practice and assess your understanding of degrees of comparison find out the answers below:

1. Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct degree of comparison (positive, comparative, or superlative) of the adjective provided in brackets.

1. This book is __________ (interesting) than the one I read last week.

2. Mount Everest is the __________ (high) mountain in the world.

3. She is as __________ (kind) as her mother.

4. No one in the class is __________ (intelligent) than Maria.

5. Today’s weather is __________ (good) than yesterday’s.

2. Identify the Degree of Comparison

Determine whether the adjectives in the following sentences are in the positive, comparative, or superlative degree.

1. "This is the brightest star in the sky."

2. "He runs faster than his brother."

3. "Her dress is as beautiful as the one in the shop window."

4. "This road is wider than the one we took earlier."

5. "That was the most difficult exam I’ve ever taken."

3. Correct the Mistake

Find and correct the mistakes in each sentence.

1. "She is the more smarter student in the class."

2. "This is the bestest pizza I’ve ever had."

3. "He is taller then his brother."

4. "My dog is the most friendliest pet in the neighbourhood."

5. "She is more happiest when she is with her friends."

4. Rewrite the Sentences

Rewrite the following sentences using the correct degree of comparison:

1. "This is a good movie." (Comparative degree)

2. "She is the smartest student in the class." (Positive degree)

3. "This problem is more complicated than that one." (Superlative degree)

4. "He is as tall as his father." (Comparative degree)

5. "Today is a cold day." (Superlative degree)

5. Choose the Correct Option

Select the correct degree of comparison for each sentence.

1. "This road is __________ (wide/wider/widest) than the other one."

2. "She is the __________ (kind/kinder/kindest) person I know."

3. "My new phone is __________ (more expensive/most expensive/expensiver) than the old one."

4. "He is __________ (strong/stronger/strongest) than all his teammates."

5. "This is the __________ (beautiful/more beautiful/most beautiful) garden in the city."

Answers to the “Check Your Understanding of Degrees of Comparison” Exercises:

1. Fill in the Blanks

1. This book is more interesting than the one I read last week.

2. Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.

3. She is as kind as her mother.

4. No one in the class is more intelligent than Maria.

5. Today’s weather is better than yesterday’s.

2. Identify the Degree of Comparison

1. "This is the brightest star in the sky." - Superlative Degree

2. "He runs faster than his brother." - Comparative Degree

3. "Her dress is as beautiful as the one in the shop window." - Positive Degree

4. "This road is wider than the one we took earlier." - Comparative Degree

5. "That was the most difficult exam I’ve ever taken." - Superlative Degree

3. Correct the Mistake

1. "She is the smartest student in the class." (Correction: Remove "more")

2. "This is the best pizza I’ve ever had." (Correction: Remove "bestest")

3. "He is taller than his brother." (Correction: "then" should be "than")

4. "My dog is the friendliest pet in the neighbourhood." (Correction: Remove "most")

5. "She is happiest when she is with her friends." (Correction: Remove "more")

4. Rewrite the Sentences

1. "This is a better movie." (Comparative degree)

2. "She is a smart student in the class." (Positive degree)

3. "This is the most complicated problem." (Superlative degree)

4. "He is taller than his father." (Comparative degree)

5. "Today is the coldest day." (Superlative degree)

5. Choose the Correct Option

1. "This road is wider than the other one."

2. "She is the kindest person I know."

3. "My new phone is more expensive than the old one."

4. "He is stronger than all his teammates."

5. "This is the most beautiful garden in the city."

Takeaways from this Page

Understanding degrees of comparison is essential for effective communication and precise expression. Here are the key takeaways:

1. Basic Concepts: The degrees of comparison in adjectives and adverbs help in comparing the qualities or characteristics of nouns. They include the positive, comparative, and superlative degrees.

2. Positive Degree: This form describes a quality without comparison. For example, "She is a good dancer." It simply states the quality of the noun.

3. Comparative Degree: This form is used to compare two nouns or pronouns. It often ends in "-er" or is preceded by "more." For example, "She is a better dancer than her sister."

4. Superlative Degree: This form is used to compare three or more nouns or pronouns, showing the highest degree of the quality. It often ends in "-est" or is preceded by "most." For example, "She is the best dancer in the class."

5. Irregular Comparisons: Some adjectives and adverbs do not follow regular patterns. For example, "good" changes to "better" in the comparative degree and "best" in the superlative degree.

6. Usage in Writing and Speaking: Correct use of degrees of comparison enhances clarity and allows for more nuanced expression in both writing and speech.