DEGREE OF ADJECTIVE
Degrees of Adjectives
You have learnt that there are three degrees of adjectives-positive, comparative and superlative.
1. Positive degree: When we talk about the existence of some quality in a person or a thing, we use the positive degree. For example,
Sushma is a tall girl.
Vasanthi is an intelligent girl.
2. Comparative degree: When we compare two people or things, we use the comparative degree. For example,
Parul is taller than Sushma.
Jaya is more intelligent than Vasanthi.
3. Superlative degree: When we compare three or more people or things, we use the superlative degree. For example,
Sukanya is the tallest of all.
Sonali is the most intelligent of all.
Study the table to understand how to form comparatives and superlatives.
|
Rule |
Positive |
Comparative |
Superlative |
|
Most adjectives form the comparative by adding er and the superlative by adding est |
great |
greater |
greatest |
|
clever |
cleverer |
cleverest |
|
|
kind |
kinder |
kindest |
|
|
young |
younger |
youngest |
|
|
short |
shorter |
shortest |
|
|
tall |
taller |
tallest |
|
|
Adjectives ending with e form the comparative by adding r and the superlative by adding st |
noble |
nobler |
noblest |
|
wise |
wiser |
wisest |
|
|
able |
abler |
ablest |
|
|
Adjectives ending with y, change the y to i and add er and est |
early |
earlier |
earliest |
|
costly |
costlier |
costliest |
|
|
heavy |
heavier |
heaviest |
|
|
Adjectives with CVC combination, double the last consonant before adding er and est |
Sad |
Sadder |
Saddest |
|
Big |
Bigger |
Bigest |
|
|
Fat |
Fatter |
Fattest |
|
|
Adjectives with two or more syllables usually form the comparative by adding more and the superlative by adding most |
careful |
more careful |
most careful |
|
courageous |
more courageous |
most courageous |
|
|
magnificent |
more magnificent |
most magnificent |
|
|
Some adjectives follow no rules |
little |
less (lesser) |
least |
|
much |
more |
most |
|
|
many |
more |
most |
|
|
far |
further, farther |
furthest, farthest |
|
|
late |
later |
latest |
Common Mistakes with Comparisons
1. Avoid making a double comparison. For example,
I was more happier in the countryside than in the city. (Incorrect)
I was happier in the countryside than in the city. (Correct)
2. Some adjectives such as first, last, equal and unique cannot be compared. For example,
My bike is uniquer/more unique than yours. (Incorrect)
My bike is unique. (Correct)
ADVANCE RULES
Rule. C.D. Adj. than anyother. Sing. Noun.
Ram is better than anyother boy of his Class.
Rule. C.D. Adj. than allother. Plu. Noun
Ram is better than allother: boys. of his Class.
Rule. C.D. Adj. than Inde. Person.else.
Ram is better than anybody else in his. Class.
Rule. C.D. of. the two obj. use.no
He is belter of the two boys.
Rule. The. & C.D. + Sub + Verb, Tha + C.D. + Sub + Verb
The more he gets, The more he wants.
Rule. when there is Compreshion between two obj. the preposition is Placed before each of the two obj.
I can rely more on you than on her.
Rule. When “Than" or 'As' is followed by third person pronoun the verb is repeated but the verb is omitted if. ‘Than' or 'As' is. Followed by first and Second Person.
He is not as tall as his brother is.
She is richer than you.
Rule. Half, Awice, thrice. etc. के साथ C.D. का use. नहीं करते
He is half as wise as you.
This bag is twice as heavy as that one.
Rule. As. adj. as. if not + C.D.
She runs as fast as if not Gaster than Shayam.
He is as good as if not better than you.
Very / Much
à Very Obj. use. Positive. degree. Adj. के साथ
My friend is very strong.
à Much का use. Comparative.degree. Adj. के साथ
Rahul is much stronger than shyam.
à Very + Much + C.D.A
He is very much wiser than his friend.
à Much का use. Verb की विशेषता बताने परंतु very का नहीं
He likes her much.
à The + Very + S.D.
Much + the + S.D.
The very best boy.
Much the best boy.