Comparison of Adjectives

When we want to compare two or more nouns using adjectives, we use the comparative and superlative forms of the adjective to show the comparison between the nouns. E.g. -

      Honey is sweet, sugar is sweeter but victory is the sweetest.

In this sentence, we are comparing the three nouns using the positive, comparative and superlative forms of the word ‘sweet’.

Positive Form -
These are the simple adjectives that simply describe the noun without comparing it to another - big, sweet, clean, etc.
      She has a big black dog.
      He is a sweet boy.
      The cupboard is clean.

Comparative Form -
These are used when we are comparing two nouns and need to show which noun possesses the adjective or character in a greater or lesser amount, when compared with the other. - bigger, sweeter, cleaner, etc.

      I have a big dog but hers is bigger.
      He is sweeter than the other boys.
      The cupboard is cleaner than before.

Superlative Form -
This form is used when three or more nouns are being compared and we need to show that one or more of the nouns posses the adjective or characteristic to the highest amount possible. We usually add ‘the’ before the superlative form. - biggest, sweetest, cleanest, etc.

      She has the biggest dog in the colony.
      He is the sweetest boy in his class.
      The cupboard is the cleanest thing in the house.

Making Comparatives and Superlatives
There are certain rules that must be followed in the making of the comparatives and superlatives of the adjectives. Not all adjectives form their comparatives and superlatives in the same way and there are also some irregular adjectives that form completely different comparative and superlative forms.

Single Syllable Words and Double Syllable Words ending with -y, -er, -ow, -le -

We use ‘-er’ to make the comparative and ‘-est’ to make the superlative.

Positive
Comparative
Superlative
Black
Blacker
Blackest
Fair
Fairer
Fairest
Clever
Cleverer
Cleverest

When there is a silent ‘e’ at the end of the positive form, we remove that and add ‘-er’ and ‘-est’

Positive
Comparative
Superlative
Nice
Nicer
Nicest
Late
Later
Latest

When the adjective ends with a ‘y’, we convert the ‘y’ into ‘i’ before adding ‘-er’ and ‘-est’

Positive
Comparative
Superlative
Pretty
Prettier
Prettiest
Lazy
Lazier
Laziest

If the adjective is a small one with little stress on the vowel, we double the last consonant.

Positive
Comparative
Superlative
Hot
Hotter
Hottest
Wet
Wetter
Wettest

Other Words with Two or More Syllables -
For other double syllable words that do not end with -y, -er, -ow, -le, and for adjectives with more than two syllables we use more and most to form the comparatives and superlatives.

Positive
Comparative
Superlative
Difficult
More Difficult
Most Difficult
Careful
More Careful
Most Careful
Handsome
More Handsome
Most Handsome
Interesting
More Interesting
Most Interesting

Special Adjectives -
There a few adjectives that can use both ‘-er and -est’ and ‘more’ and ‘most’ to form their comparative and superlative forms. The distinction between these is that ‘-er and -est’ are used when we are comparing the noun to another noun and ‘more’ and ‘most’ is used when we are comparing characteristics within the noun.

Positive
Comparative
Superlative
Example
Clever
Cleverer/ More Clever
Cleverest/Most Clever
He is cleverer than her.
He is more clever than studious.
Quiet
Quieter/ More Quiet
Quietest/ Most Quiet
This is the most quiet it gets here.
This is the quietest place.
Brave
Braver/ More Brave
Bravest/ Most Brave
She is braver than other girls.
She was more brave than afraid.
Sure
Surer/ More Sure
Surest/ Most Sure
He was surer of the result than others.
You’ll be more sure about the concept after you read the chapter.

Irregular Comparisons -

These adjectives do not make their comparative and superlative forms using the rules above. Their comparative and superlative forms are different words altogether.

Positive
Comparative
Superlative
Bad
Worse
Worst
Good
Better
Best
Far (place & time)
Further
Furthest
Far (place)
Farther
Farthest
Old (people)
Elder
Eldest
Little (amount)
Less
Least
Late (order)
Latter
Last

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