How to Use Positive, Comparative, and Superlative Degrees
Mastering the concept of Degrees of Comparison is crucial for building strong English grammar skills. On this page, you will find a collection of degrees of comparison exercises with answers, practical worksheets, and clear examples. These activities are designed to improve your understanding of how adjectives and adverbs are used to compare people, places, or things in various contexts.
What Are Degrees of Comparison?
Degrees of Comparison are forms of adjectives and adverbs that show varying levels of quality, quantity, or manner between two or more nouns. Learning how to use them helps you compare and describe objects and people more accurately. There are three degrees: Positive, Comparative, and Superlative, each serving a unique function in English grammar.
Understanding the different types of degrees is essential for effective communication. These degrees allow you to explain how one item relates to another, whether it is smaller, faster, or the best among several. If you're looking for related topics, you can explore Adjectives and Adverbs on Vedantu.
Types and Rules of Degrees of Comparison
| Degree | Form/Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | Base form of the adjective/adverb | This book is big. |
| Comparative | Add “-er” or use “more” or “less” | This book is bigger than mine. |
| Superlative | Add “-est” or use “most” or “least” | This is the biggest book here. |
The Positive Degree describes one noun, the Comparative Degree compares two, and the Superlative Degree compares three or more. Practice degrees of comparison exercises with answers to apply these rules in real sentences. You can also find more on the Positive Degree, Comparative Degree, and Superlative Degree pages.
Degrees of Comparison Exercises with Answers
Practising degrees of comparison exercises with answers is an excellent way to reinforce your knowledge. The following worksheets are suitable for students in class 6, class 7, class 8, and class 9. Try to answer before checking the solutions at the end. For more grammar and error correction, visit Vedantu’s error correction exercises.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
The summer is ______ than last summer. (hot)
She is the ______ student in the class. (intelligent)
My new car is ______ than my old one. (economical)
That was the ______ meal I’ve had in a long time. (good)
His explanation was ______ than mine. (clear)
Exercise 2: Sentence Transformation
The elephant is strong. The lion is ______ than the elephant. (strong)
He drives fast. Among all, he drives the ______. (fast)
This problem is easy. That problem is ______. (easy)
That exam was difficult. Today’s exam is the ______. (difficult)
Sneha is creative. Ravi is more ______ than Sneha. (creative)
Exercise 3: Error Correction
She is the more smart of the two girls.
This is the most cheapest phone in the shop.
Iron is more heavier than wood.
He is better than any boy in the class.
It was the funnest trip ever.
Exercise 4: Multiple Choice Questions
This is the ______ cake I have ever eaten.
(a) good (b) better (c) bestYour answer is ______ than mine.
(a) clear (b) clearer (c) clearestHe is the ______ student in the school.
(a) intelligent (b) more intelligent (c) most intelligentThis flower is ______ than that one.
(a) beautiful (b) more beautiful (c) most beautifulThe blue shirt is the ______ of all.
(a) cheap (b) cheaper (c) cheapest
For more degrees of comparison exercises for class 8 with answers or degrees of comparison exercises for class 9 with answers, keep practising with worksheets. Try additional grammar activities on Vedantu’s grammar exercises.
Answers
Exercise 1: hotter, most intelligent, more economical, best, clearer
Exercise 2: stronger, fastest, easier, most difficult, creative
Exercise 3 (Corrections): 1. more smart → smarter; 2. most cheapest → cheapest; 3. more heavier → heavier; 4. better than any → better than any other; 5. funnest → most fun
Exercise 4: 1. c) best; 2. b) clearer; 3. c) most intelligent; 4. b) more beautiful; 5. c) cheapest
Degrees of Comparison 100 Sentences Worksheet (Practice)
For comprehensive practice, create your own worksheet using the degrees of comparison 100 sentences worksheet format. Choose any adjective and write sentences in positive, comparative, and superlative forms. This approach helps reinforce learning and prepares you for all types of degrees of comparison exercises, including degrees of comparison exercises multiple choice, and degrees of comparison exercises online. You can also refer to vowels and consonants in adjectives.
More Examples and Practice Resources
Here are real-world examples of degrees of comparison:
Positive: “Riya is tall.”
Comparative: “Riya is taller than Maya.”
Superlative: “Riya is the tallest girl in the class.”
Improve your skills by taking quizzes such as the Phrases Quiz, or exploring Describing Words. For more examples, see examples on superlative and comparative adjectives and Adjective List.
Page Summary
Degrees of comparison exercises with answers help you understand how to use adjectives and adverbs for effective comparison. By practising with various worksheets and error correction activities, you can master their rules and forms. Consistent practice will improve your grammar, writing, and speaking abilities, making your communication clearer in real-world situations.
FAQs on Degrees of Comparison Exercises for Students
1. What are degrees of comparison?
Degrees of comparison are forms of adjectives and adverbs used to compare qualities between two or more nouns. There are three main degrees of comparison: positive degree, comparative degree, and superlative degree.
- The positive degree shows a quality in its simplest form (e.g., big).
- The comparative degree compares two things (e.g., bigger).
- The superlative degree compares more than two and shows the highest degree (e.g., biggest).
2. How do you form comparative and superlative degrees of regular adjectives?
Comparative and superlative degrees of regular adjectives are usually formed by adding specific endings or using 'more' and 'most.'
- For most one-syllable adjectives, add -er (comparative) and -est (superlative):
• tall → taller → tallest
• fast → faster → fastest
- For adjectives with two syllables ending in -y, change 'y' to 'i' and add -er/-est:
• happy → happier → happiest
- For adjectives with two or more syllables (except -y), use more (comparative) and most (superlative):
• beautiful → more beautiful → most beautiful
3. What are the three degrees of comparison with examples?
The three degrees of comparison are positive, comparative, and superlative.
Examples:
- Positive: smart (She is smart.)
- Comparative: smarter (She is smarter than him.)
- Superlative: smartest (She is the smartest in the class.)
4. What are some irregular adjectives in degrees of comparison?
Some adjectives do not follow regular rules and have unique comparative and superlative forms.
Common irregular adjectives:
- good → better → best
- bad → worse → worst
- far → farther/further → farthest/furthest
- little → less → least
- many/much → more → most
5. When should we use 'more' and 'most' instead of '-er' and '-est'?
Use 'more' and 'most' with adjectives that have two or more syllables (except for adjectives ending in -y).
- Two or more syllable adjectives:
• important → more important → most important
• comfortable → more comfortable → most comfortable
- Adjectives ending in '-y':
• happy → happier → happiest
6. How do we use degrees of comparison in sentences?
Degrees of comparison are used to compare qualities between people, places, things, or ideas.
- Positive degree: Describes one entity (e.g., The river is deep.)
- Comparative degree: Compares two entities (e.g., The river is deeper than the lake.)
- Superlative degree: Compares more than two (e.g., The river is the deepest of all.)
7. What is the rule for converting adjectives ending in 'e', 'y', or a consonant with a single vowel before it?
Adjectives have special spelling rules when changing to comparative and superlative forms:
- If the adjective ends in 'e', add only 'r' or 'st':
• nice → nicer → nicest
- If it ends in 'y', change 'y' to 'i' and add 'er' or 'est':
• happy → happier → happiest
- If it ends with one vowel followed by one consonant, double the consonant and add 'er'/'est':
• big → bigger → biggest
8. Can you list common errors in degrees of comparison?
Common errors include incorrect usage of comparative and superlative forms:
- Using double comparatives/superlatives (e.g., 'more better')
- Using 'er/est' with multi-syllable adjectives (e.g., 'beautifuller')
- Comparing more than two with the comparative form
- Not using 'the' before superlative adjectives (e.g., 'She is smartest')
9. Fill in the blank: She is the _____ (tall) girl in the class.
She is the tallest girl in the class. Here, 'tallest' is the superlative degree as it indicates the highest quality in comparison to the whole group.
10. What are some exercises to practice degrees of comparison?
Practicing degrees of comparison helps to strengthen your grammar skills.
Exercise examples:
- Complete the sentences using the correct degree of comparison:
1. This book is (easy) _____ than that one.
2. She is the (intelligent) _____ student in class.
- Change the following adjectives into comparative and superlative forms:
1. brave
2. clear
3. busy
