Degree of Comparison
Hi explorers of words! Today we're learning about something super cool called 'Degrees of Comparison'. Imagine your describing words (we call them adjectives!) can go to different levels, like in a game! We use these to compare things. Is one cat bigger than another? Is your drawing the most colorful of all? These special word forms help us say exactly that! Let's dive in and see how to use them!
An adjective can exist in three forms – positive, comparative, and superlative. The positive form is the base form of the adjective. The comparative form expresses a higher degree of some quality. The superlative form expresses the highest degree.
Adjective Forms
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| Sweet | Sweeter | Sweetest |
| Small | Smaller | Smallest |
| Tall | Taller | Tallest |
| Bold | Bolder | Boldest |
| Clever | Cleverer | Cleverest |
| Kind | Kinder | Kindest |
| Young | Younger | Youngest |
| Brave | Braver | Bravest |
| Fine | Finer | Finest |
| Happy | Happier | Happiest |
| Great | Greater | Greatest |
| Easy | Easier | Easiest |
| Wealthy | Wealthier | Wealthiest |
| Hot | Hotter | Hottest |
| Thin | Thinner | Thinnest |
| Sad | Sadder | Saddest |
| Fat | Fatter | Fattest |
| Beautiful | More beautiful | Most beautiful |
| Eminent | More eminent | Most eminent |
| Industrious | More industrious | Most industrious |
| Ferocious | More ferocious | Most ferocious |
| Difficult | More difficult | Most difficult |
| Good | Better | Best |
| Well | Better | Best |
| Bad | Worse | Worst |
| Little | Lesser | Least |
| Much | More | Most |
| Many | More | Most |
| In | Inner | Innermost |
| Up | Upper | Uppermost |
| Old (for family) | Elder | Eldest |
| Old (general) | Older | Oldest |
Comparison Structures & Phrases
| Positive Structure Often Uses | Comparative Structure Often Uses | Superlative Examples |
|---|---|---|
| No other ... as [adjective] as | ... [adjective]-er than any other | the [adjective]-est (e.g., the happiest) |
| Few other / Very few ... as [adjective] as | ... [adjective]-er than many / most other | one of the [adjective]-est (e.g., one of the tallest) |
Examples: Changing Degrees
1. Raji is the richest woman in Mumbai. (Superlative)
Ans. Raji is richer than any other woman in Mumbai. (Comparative)
No other woman in Mumbai is as rich as Raji. (Positive)
2. Reading is the best form of recreation. (Superlative)
Ans. Reading is better than any other form of recreation. (Comparative)
No other form of recreation is as good as reading. (Positive)
3. Australia is the largest island. (Superlative)
Ans. Australia is larger than any other island. (Comparative)
No other island is as large as Australia. (Positive)
4. Australia is one of the largest islands. (Superlative)
Ans. Australia is larger than many other islands. (Comparative)
Very few islands are as large as Australia. (Positive)
5. Books are the best source of knowledge. (Superlative)
Ans. Books are better than any other source of knowledge. (Comparative)
No other source of knowledge is as good as books. (Positive)
6. Iron is stronger than many other metals. (Comparative)
Ans. Iron is one of the strongest metals. (Superlative)
Very few metals are as strong as Iron. (Positive)
7. No one is as lazy as Raja. (Positive)
Ans. Raja is lazier than anyone else. (Comparative)
Raja is the laziest of all. (Superlative)
8. The greatest lesson in life is learnt from children. (Superlative)
Ans. No other lesson in life is as great as the ones that are learnt from children. (Positive)
9. I have never seen such a ferocious animal as this. (Positive idea using 'as...as')
Ans. I have never seen an animal more ferocious than this one. (Comparative)
More Examples: Comparing Two Items
1. Mango is sweeter than Apple.
Ans. Apple is not as sweet as Mango.
2. Mumbai is not cleaner than Chennai.
Ans. Chennai is as clean as Mumbai. OR Chennai is cleaner than Mumbai.
3. March is not as hot as June.
Ans. June is hotter than March.
4. The rose smells as sweet as the lily.
Ans. The lily does not smell sweeter than the rose.
5. The rose smelled as sweet as the lily. (Past tense)
Ans. The lily did not smell sweeter than the rose.
6. The roses smell as sweet as the lilies. (Plural)
Ans. The lilies do not smell sweeter than the roses.
7. I feel as scared as you do.
Ans. I don’t feel less scared than you. OR You don't feel more scared than I do.
Practice Time! Test Your Knowledge
Read the sentences below and rewrite them according to the instruction in the brackets. Try to solve them in your mind or on paper before clicking the button to reveal the answers.
Click here to reveal the Answer Key
Tricky Words & Meanings
- Adjective: A word that tells us more about a person, place, or thing (like a fluffy kitten, a sunny day, a big adventure).
- Comparison: Looking at two or more things to see how they are alike or different.
- Degree (of comparison): Levels that show how much of a quality something has when you compare it (like small, smaller, smallest).
- Positive (form): The basic describing word, when you're not comparing (like *fast*, *happy*, *bright*).
- Comparative (form): The word form you use to compare *two* things (like *faster*, *happier*, *brighter*). Often ends in '-er' or uses 'more' (like *more beautiful*).
- Superlative (form): The word form you use to compare *three or more* things, to show which one is the 'most' (like *fastest*, *happiest*, *brightest*). Often ends in '-est' or uses 'most' (like *most beautiful*).
- Quality: Something special about a person or thing, like its color, size, or how it feels (e.g., The cat's quality is its softness).
- Expresses: To show or tell something using words or actions.
- Base form (of adjective): The simple, original adjective before you change it to compare (like 'tall' is the base form of 'taller' and 'tallest').
- Recreation: Fun things you do to relax when you're not working or studying, like playing games, reading, or drawing.
- Island: A piece of land that has water all around it.
- Source (of knowledge): Where information or learning comes from (like a book is a source of stories and facts).
- Metals: Hard, shiny materials like iron, gold, or silver.
- Eminent: Very famous and respected by many people for being good at something (like an eminent doctor).
- Industrious: Someone who works very hard and is always busy doing useful things.
- Ferocious: Very wild, fierce, and a bit scary, like a roaring lion or a big storm.
- Structure: The way something is built or organized.