Degrees of Comparison
• It is possible to change the Degree of Comparison of an
Adjective or Adverb in a sentence, without changing the
meaning of the sentence.
• Comparison can be made using the three forms of the
adjective.
Positive
Comparative
Superlative
Positive Degree
The Positive Degree of an adjective in
comparison is the adjective in its simple form.
It is used to denote the mere existence of
some quality of what we speak about. It is
used when no comparison is made.
• It is a tall building.
• Apple is sweet to taste.
• Mina is a nice girl.
Comparative Degree
The Comparative Degree denotes the
existence of a higher degree of the quality
than the positive. It is used when two
things (or two sets of things) are compared.
• This building is taller than any other
building.
• Apple is sweeter than pear.
• Mina is nicer than most other girls in class .
Superlative Degree
The Superlative Degree denotes the
existence of the highest degree of the
quality. It is used when more than two things
are compared.
• This is the tallest building.
• Apple is the sweetest fruit.
• Mina is one of the nicest girls in the class.
List of Degrees of Comparison
By adding ‘er and ‘est’
POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
bright brighter brightest
black blacker blackest
bold bolder boldest
clever cleverer cleverest
cold colder coldest
fast faster fastest
great greater greatest
high higher highest
kind kinder kindest
List of Degrees of Comparison
By adding ‘r and ‘st’
POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
brave braver bravest
fine finer finest
large larger largest
nice nicer nicest
noble nobler noblest
pale paler palest
simple simpler simplest
wise wiser wisest
white whiter whitest
List of Degrees of Comparison
By deleting the final ‘y’ and adding ‘ier’ and ‘iest’
POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
costly costlier costliest
dry drier driest
easy easier easiest
happy happier happiest
heavy heavier heaviest
lazy lasier lasiest
merry merrier merriest
wealthy wealthier wealthiest
List of Degrees of Comparison
By doubling the final consonants
POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
big bigger biggest
dim dimmer dimmest
fat fatter fattest
hot hotter hottest
thin thinner thinnest
List of Degrees of Comparison
By using more and most
POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
active more active most active
attractive more attractive most attractive
beautiful more beautiful most beautiful
brilliant more brilliant most brilliant
careful more careful most careful
courageous more courageous most courageous
cunning more cunning most cunning
difficult more difficult most difficult
famous more famous most famous
faithful more faithful most faithful
List of Degrees of Comparison
Irregular Comparisons
POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
bad worse worst
evil worse worst
good better best
ill worse worst
far farther farthest
well better best
late later latest
little less least
much more most
many more most
Changes in Degrees of Comparison
Here more than two persons or places or things are compared.
Matchless comparisons are of this type:
Superlative Comparative Positive
Iron is the most useful of Iron is more useful than No other metal is so
all metals. any other metal. useful as iron.
Tom is the cleverest of all Tom is cleverer than any No other boy in the class
boys in the class. other boy in the class. is so clever as Tom.
Rain water is the purest Rain water is purer than No other water is so pure
water. any other water. as rain water.
Changes in Degrees of Comparison
Here more than two persons or places or things are compared.
Generally this type is in plural form:
Superlative Comparative Positive
Iron is the most useful of Iron is more useful than No other metal is so
all metals. any other metal. useful as iron.
Cheetah is one of the Cheetah is faster than Very few animals are as
fastest animals. most other animals. fast as cheetah.
Foot ball is more
Food ball is one of the Very few games are as
interesting than most
most interesting games. interesting as foot ball.
other games.
Changes in Degrees of Comparison
Here only two persons or places or things are compared. For this
type, there is no superlative form:
Comparative Positive
Paris is hotter than England is not so hot
England. as Paris.
The Blue Mountain The Green Express
Express runs faster does not run so fast
than the Green as the Blue Mountain
Express. Express.
Positive Comparative
John is as tall as David is not taller
David. than John.
Comparisons and Contrasts
1. When we compare two objects, persons, qualities,
degrees etc. that are some respects equal, we may use
the comparison of equality. This is formed by the use of
as... adjective / adverb... As
• Your house is as large as mine.
2. When we compare unequal subjects, we may use the
comparative degree of the adjective or adverb with than
• His new book is more interesting than his earlier
books.
3. When the comparison is negative, we use so...
adjective / adverb... as
• Your house is not quite so large as mine.
Comparisons and Contrasts
4. In some adverbial clauses of comparison both subject
and verb are dropped.
• He is more shy than (he is) unsocial.
• Some people think more about their rights than
(they do) about their duties.
5. In clauses of comparison introduced by than
that ‘should’ is used.
• I am already to do the work myself rather than
that you should have to do it.
6. Comparison and contrast are also expressed by the use
of the...the...with comparatives.
• The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll finish.
• The more he read, the less he understood.
Now take the assessment on
Degrees of Comparison!
