DEGREE OF COMAPARISON
The degree of comparison relates to adjectives and adverbs in English grammar.
degree of comparison
We can write all adjectives and adverbs in one of three degrees (Positive/ comparative and superlative degree).
- Classification of Degree of Comparison:
The degree of comparison is three kinds.
- Positive degree
- Comparative degree
- Superlative degree
- Definition and examples of degree of comparison
Positive: In this degree, we speak about a thing and do not find any comparison.
For example-
The child is small.
Jim is not so intelligent as Bill.
Comparative: In this degree, we speak about two and compare. For example-
Germany is more civilized than Japan.
This tree is not so taller than that tree.
Superlative: In this degree, we speak more than two same things and compare.
John is the best boy of the class.
Rohit is one of the best cricketers of the class.
Degree of comparison ( Rule no 01 )
If we find a one-syllable positive adjective, we make it a comparative degree by adding ”Er” and superlative degree with “Est”
Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
Black | Blacker | Blackest |
High | Higher | Highest |
Strong | Stronger | Strongest |
Tall | Taller | Tallest |
Short | Shorter | Shortest |
Quick | Quicker | Quickest |
Light | Lighter | Lightest |
old | Older | Oldest |
Cold | Colder | Coldest |
Small | Smaller | Smallest |
Bold | Bolder | Boldest |
Hard | Harder | hardest |
Rich | Richer | Richest |
Kind | Kinder | Kindest |
long | Longer | Longest |
Rule no 02 Degree of Comparison
If we find the last letter consonant of one syllable positive adjective and a vowel before that consonant, we make it a comparative degree with a double consonant and add”Er” and superlative degree with “Est”
Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
Big | Bigger | Biggest |
Fat | Fatter | Fattest |
Hot | Hotter | Hottest |
Red | Redder | Reddest |
sad | Sadder | Saddest |
Thin | Thinner | Thinnest |
Rule no 03 Degree of Comparison Positive, Comparative and Superlative
If we find the last letter consonant of one syllable positive adjective and more than a vowel before that consonant, we make it a comparative degree by adding “Er” and superlative degree with “Est”
Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
Weak | Weaker | Weakest |
Cool | Cooler | Coolest |
Soon | Sooner | Soonest |
Poor | Poorer | Poorest |
Deep | Deeper | Deepest |
Great | Greater | Greatest |
Rule no 04
If we find the last letter “Y” of one syllable positive adjective and a consonant before that letter ”Y”, we make it a comparative degree with the double consonant and add”Ier” in stade of “Y” and superlative degree with “Est”
Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
Happy | Happier | Happiest |
Easy | Easier | Easiest |
Heavy | Heavier | Heaviest |
Merry | Merrier | Merriest |
Wealthy | Wealthier | Wealthiest |
Pretty | Prettier | Prettiest |
Tiny | Tinier | Tiniest |
Lively | Livelier | Liveliest |
Gloomy | Gloomier | Gloomiest |
Dry | Drier | Driest |
Busy | Busier | Busiest |
Rule no 05
If we find the last letter consonant of one syllable positive adjective and a vowel before that consonant, we make it a comparative degree with the double consonant and add”er” and superlative degree with “Est”
Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
Gray | Grayer | Grayest |
Rule No 06 Degree of Comparison
If we find the last letter “E” of one syllable positive adjective, we make it a comparative degree by adding ”R” and superlative degree with “St”
Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
Fine | Finer | Finest |
Brave | Braver | Bravest |
Wise | Wiser | Wisest |
Large | Larger | Largest |
Pale | Paler | Palest |
Able | Abler | Ablest |
Gentle | Gentler | Gentlest |
Noble | Nobler | Noblest |
Free | Freer | Freest |
True | Truer | Truest |
Rule no.07 Comparison of Degree By FAIJUL HASAN
If we find more than one syllable positive adjective we make it comparative degree with “More”, “Less” and superlative degree with “Most”, ” Lest”.
Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
Expensive | More/less expensive | Most/lest expensive |
Active | More active | Most active |
Beautiful | Less beautiful | Lest beautiful |
Careful | More careful | Lest careful |
Dutiful | Less dutiful | Lest dutiful |
Hopeful | Less hopeful | Lest hopeful |
Useful | More useful | Most useful |
Difficult | More difficult | Most difficult |
Faithful | Less faithful | Lest faithful |
Interesting | More interesting | Most interesting |
Dangerous | Less dangerous | Lest dangerous |
Industrious | More industrious | Most industrious |
Courageous | Less courageous | Lest courageous |
Generous | More generous | Most generous |
Populous | More populous | Most populous |
Honest | Less honest | Lest honest |
Famous | More famous | Most famous |
Important | More important | Most important |
Intelligent | Less intelligent | Lest intelligent |
Comfortable | More comfortable | Most comfortable |
Civilized | Less civilized | Lest civilized |
Exception Rule no.8
Some positive adjectives can not follow the above rules. Some examples have been given below.
Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
Good | Better | Best |
Bad | Worse | Worst |
Late | Later/latter | Last/latest |
Little | Less | Lest |
Many | More | Most |
Much | More | Most |
Well | Better | Best |
Structure of all Degree
- Positive Degree:
- Sub1 + be verb + as + positive adj + as + sub2.
Example: Ratan is as rich as Mr. Dutta.
- Sub1 + be verb + not + so + positive adj + as Sub2.
Example: Gopal is not so difficult as Soumen.
- No other + Noun (singular) + in/of + (other word) + be verb + so/as positive adj + as + Sub.
Example: No other state of India is so hot as Rajasthan.
- Very few + noun (Plural) + extra word + be verb + as + positive adj + as Subj.
Example: Very few cities of Asia are as populous as Calcutta.
- Some other (Plural) extra word + plural noun + be verb + as positive adjective as sub.
Example: Some other boys in the class are not so good as Ram.
- As soon as + Sub + verb + other, sub + verb-2 + o.
Example: As soon as the man saw a tiger, he ran away.
Comparative degree
Sub + be verb + comparative adj + than + sub.
Example: I am stronger than Gopal.
- Sub + be verb + not comparative adj + than + sub.
Example: Tapan is cleverer than you.
- Sub + be verb + comparative adj + than + any other + Noun (Singular).
Example: Rajasthan is hotter than any other state of India.
- Sub + be verb + comparative adj + than + many/most other + Noun (plural).
Example: Chennai is busier than most other ports of India.
- Sub + be verb + not + comparative adj + some other + Noun (Plural) + Extra word.
Example: Some other memorials in India is not older than the Tajmahal.
- No sooner had + sub + V-3 + than + sub + verb + obj.
Example: No sooner had I entered the room than the boys stood up.
- Structure of superlative degree
- Sub + be verb + one of the + sup.adj + noun (Plural) + extra word.
Example: Rabin is one of the best boys in the class.
- Sub + be verb + the + superlative adj + noun (singular) + extra word.
Example: Arjun is the best character in the Mahabharata.
- Sub + be verb + the + superlative adj + of all + noun (Plural).
Example: Iron is the most useful of all metals.