DEGREES OF COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES

 

TRANSFORMATION OF SENTENCES

Degrees Of Comparison

Adjectives can be written in different degrees, depending on the meaning and the context. Adjective change their form to show comparison. These forms are called degrees of comparison. Adjectives can be used in three degrees—Positive, Comparative and Superlative.

 

Positive Degree: Positive Degree is generally used when we refer to a quality in a person, place, animal or thing without making a comparison. The positive degree is the simplest form of the adjective. It is used when no comparison is made.

E.g.

·       Bindu is an honest girl.

·       Zinc is a useful metal.

 

Comparative Degree: Comparative Degree is generally used when there is a comparison between two persons, places, animals or things.

E.g.

·       Revanth is taller than Sahil.

·       This sofa is more comfortable than that.

 

Superlative Degree: Superlative Degree is generally used when there is a comparison among more than two persons, places, animals or things.

E.g.

·       The Sahara is the largest desert in the world.

·       Integrity is the best quality a person can have.

                       

Positive Degree	Comparative Degree	Superlative Degree
Large	Large	Largest
Thin	Thinner	Thinnest
Small	Smaller	Smallest
Long	Longer	Longest
Hot	Hotter	Hottest
Happy	Happier	Happiest
Tall	Taller	Tallest
Good	Better	Best
Pretty	Prettier	Prettiest
Little	Less	Least
Good	Better	Best
Much	More	Most
Beautiful	More beautiful	Most beautiful
Intelligent	More intelligent	Most intelligent
Famous	More famous	Most famous
Bad	Worse	Worst

 

 

However, it is possible, sometimes, to write the same sentence in different degrees of the adjective, without altering the meaning.

Pattern 1

Positive: No other flower is as pretty as the rose.

Comparative: The rose is prettier than any other flower. (Or.....all other flowers-)

Superlative: The rose is the prettiest flower.

(Note – Comparative Degree – We can use any other or all other.)

 

Pattern 2

Positive: Few other flowers are as pretty as the rose.

Comparative: The rose is prettier than many other flowers. (Or…..than most other-)

Superlative: The rose is one of the prettiest flowers.

(Note – Comparative Degree – We can use many other or most other.)

 

Pattern 3 and 4 are comparisons made only between two people, places, animals or things, therefore, the superlative degree cannot be used.

 

Pattern 3:

Positive: The lily is not as pretty as the rose.

Comparative: The rose is prettier than the lotus.

 

Pattern 4:

Positive: The lotus is as pretty as the rose. (Or…..at least as-)

Comparative: The rose is not prettier than the lotus.

(Note – Positive Degree – We can use as…..as or at least as.)

Tags;

#degress of comparison,positive adjectives,comparative adjectives,superlative adjectives,what are adjectives,adjectives step by step,parts of speech,degree of comparison,degree of adjectives,positive degree,comparative degree,superlative degree,positive vs comparative vs superlative,what is degree of adjectives