Degrees of Comparison
What are Degrees of Comparison?
In English grammar, Adjectives change in form to show comparison. These forms are called the Degrees of Comparison. They are used when we compare one person or thing with another.
There are three degrees of comparison:
(i) Positive Degree: Used when no comparison is made. It describes a simple quality.
(ii) Comparative Degree: Used when two persons or things are compared.
(iii) Superlative Degree: Used when more than two persons or things are compared.
Rules of Formation
To use degrees of comparison correctly, we must know how to form the comparative and superlative from the positive degree.
Rule (i): Single Syllable Words
Most adjectives of one syllable add -er and -est.
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| Sweet | Sweeter | Sweetest |
| Tall | Taller | Tallest |
| Young | Younger | Youngest |
Rule (ii): Ends in 'e'
If the positive ends in 'e', only -r and -st are added.
| Brave | Braver | Bravest |
| Fine | Finer | Finest |
Rule (iii): Multiple Syllables
Adjectives of more than two syllables form the comparative and superlative by putting more and most before the positive.
| Beautiful | More beautiful | Most beautiful |
| Difficult | More difficult | Most difficult |
Rule (iv): Irregular Comparisons
Some adjectives do not follow any specific rule.
| Good | Better | Best |
| Bad | Worse | Worst |
| Little | Less | Least |
Transformation of Sentences
When changing a sentence from one degree to another, the meaning of the sentence must remain unchanged.
Type A: Comparison between two things (No Superlative)
When comparing only two things, we cannot use the Superlative degree.
Example 1:
(i) Positive: Ram is as tall as Shyam.
(ii) Comparative: Shyam is not taller than Ram.
Example 2:
(i) Positive: The apple is not as sweet as the mango.
(ii) Comparative: The mango is sweeter than the apple.
Type B: Comparison among many (One of the...)
Example:
(i) Superlative: Gold is one of the most precious metals.
(ii) Comparative: Gold is more precious than most other metals.
(iii) Positive: Very few metals are as precious as gold.
Type C: Comparison among all (The + Superlative)
Example:
(i) Superlative: Lead is the heaviest of all metals.
(ii) Comparative: Lead is heavier than any other metal.
(iii) Positive: No other metal is as heavy as lead.
Self-Assessment Test
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