Better word to use than bad

There are three degrees of comparison of adjectives in English.

 

PolishingComparativeSuperb

-er / -est	soft	softer	the softest
-more / -most	active active	more active	the most active

The degrees of comparison of adjectives can be formed in two ways: using the suffixes -er and -est, or using the words more and most.

-er and -est

Monosyllabic adjectives, as well as disyllabic adjectives ending in -y, -e, -er, -ow, form a comparative degree by adding the suffix -er to the positive degree, and the superlative degree using the suffix -est.

In this case, the following rules are observed:

1. In monosyllabic adjectives ending in one consonant with the preceding short vowel, the final consonant is doubled.

hot-hotter-the hottest — hot-hot-hottest

2. If the adjective ends in y with a preceding consonant, then y changes to i.

busy-busier-the busiest

3. If there is a vowel before y, then y remains unchanged.

gray-greyer-the greyest — gray-gray-most gray

Your work is easier. — Your job is easier.

It’s the biggest risk. — This is the biggest risk.

more and most

Polysyllabic and most disyllabic adjectives form a comparative degree using the word more — more, and the superlative degree — most — the most (most). And the lesser and the lowest degree of quality are expressed by the words less — less and least — the least.

She is more experienced than you. “She’s more experienced than you.

It’s the most interesting book I have ever read. — This is the most interesting book I’ve read.

Exceptions

Some adjectives in English do not form degrees of comparison according to general rules.

good-better-the best — good-best-best

bad-worse-the worst — bad-worst-worst

little-less-the least

far-farther-the farthest — far-farther-farthest (by distance)

far-further-the furthest — far-more distant-furthest (in time)

old-older-the oldest — old-older-oldest (about age)

old-elder-the eldest — the oldest-older in the family-the oldest in the family (about seniority)

The weather is better today. — The weather is better today.

He is my best friend. — He is my best friend.

Stable expressions

a change for the better (for the worse) — a change for the better (for the worse)

Her new hair style is definitely a change for the better. — Her new hairstyle is definitely a change for the better.

so much the better (the worse) — the better (worse)

You decided to stay home? So much the better, for now we won’t need a second car. — Have you decided to stay at home? So much the better, then we don’t need a second car just yet.

none the worse for — will not become worse (did not become) from

We had to change our plans, but we were none the worse for it in the end. — We were forced to change our plans, but in the end we did not lose anything from this.

if the worst comes to the worst — in the worst case

If the worst comes to the worst and your supplier goes into liquidation, you will be able to get compensation. “In the worst case, if your supplier goes bankrupt, you can get compensation.

to go from bad to worse — it gets worse and worse

Everything is going from bad to worse for their firm, they have lost their clients and now they are loosing their money. — The business of their company is getting worse and worse, they have lost all clients, and now they are losing money.

as best — to the fullest extent possible, as soon as possible

He made a living as best he could. “He made a living as best he could.

at (the) best — best case scenario

At (the) best she can stay with us for a few days. “At best, she can stay with us for a few days.

Source: https://langup.ru/articles/stepeni-sravneniya-prilagatelnyh/

Comparative and Superlatives | English grammar | EF

Comparative adjectives show the differences between the two objects that they modify (larger, smaller, faster, higher). They are used in sentences that compare two nouns, as in this example:

Noun (subject) + verb + comparative adjective + than + noun (object).

The second word used for comparison can be omitted as it is clear from the context (last example).

Superlative degree of adjectives

Superlative adjectives describe an object that has the highest or lowest quality (the tallest, the smallest, the fastest, the highest). They are used in sentences when a subject is compared to a group of objects.

Noun (subject) + verb + the + superlative + noun (object).

The group of items to be compared may be omitted if clear from the context (last example).

Creation of a simple comparative degree and a superlative

Comparative and superlatives are fairly easy to create. The form depends on the number of syllables in the original adjective.

One-syllable adjectives

Add -er for comparative and -est for superior. If the adjective consists of a consonant + a single vowel + a pronounced consonant, then the last consonant is doubled before the ending.

Adjective Comparative Excellent

tall	workshop	tallest
fetus	fatter	fat test
big	bigger	biggest
sad	Sadder	saddest

Two-syllable adjectives

Adjectives with two syllables can form a comparative degree either by adding -er at the end or by adding more before the adjective. Such adjectives are superlative by adding -est and most before the adjective.

In many cases, both forms can be used, although the use of one of the forms may occur earlier than the other. If you are unsure whether an adjective with two syllables can be comparative or superlative, use more and most instead.

In case the adjective ends in y, change y to i before adding the ending.

Adjective Comparative Excellent

happy	happier	happiest
tailored	simple	simplet
busy	busier	busiest
tilted	more inclined	most inclined
tangled	more tangled	most tangled

Adjectives with three or more syllables

Adjectives with three or more syllables are comparative with more before the adjective itself, and most before the adjective for superlative.

Adjective Comparative Excellent

important	more important	most important
expensive	more expensive	most expensive

Comparative and superlative adjectives (supplementary way of education)

These common adjectives form comparative and superlatives in a special way.

Adjective Comparative Excellent

good	better	best
bad	worse	sausage
little	less	least
much	more	bridge
far	further / farther	furthest / farthest

Source: https://www.ef.ru/angliyskie-resursy/angliyskaya-grammatika/sravnitelnaya-prevoshodnaya-stepeni/

Comparison of adjectives

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
Value	attribute of an object without comparing it with the attribute of another object	a sign of an object that manifests itself in comparison with the same sign of another object to a greater or lesser extent	the highest degree of the attribute of an object or its absence in comparison with the same attribute in other objects
Examples	close	closer, more / less close	the closest, the closest, the closest / the closest, the closest
beautiful	more beautiful, more / less beautiful	the most beautiful, the most beautiful, the most / least beautiful, the most beautiful of all
clever	smarter, smarter / smarter	smartest, smartest, smartest / smartest, smartest
modest	more modest, more / less modest	the most modest, the most modest, the most / the least modest, the most modest of all

Comparative degree of an adjective

Simple comparative degree	Difficult comparative degree
1. + -he (s) fast — faster (faster) kind — kind (kind)	1.form of a positive degree + more (in the sense of increasing the manifestation of the trait) + less (in the meaning of reducing the manifestation of the trait): more / less fast;
2. + -hard — hard — cleaner
3. + -sheranny — early — toneshe
4.use of another word: small — lesser — better — better — worse
Important: does not change by gender, number and case	Important: changes by gender, number and case

Superlative adjective

Simple superlatives	Complex superlative
1. + -eysh-fast — the fastest kind — the kindest + -aish- after the g, k, htonky — the thinnest quiet — the quietest	1.the most + form of a positive degree
2.using another word good — best bad — worst	2.Most + form of a positive degree least (in terms of reducing the manifestation of a trait) + form of a positive degree
3.simple comparative form + all / all the fastest of all the good of everyone
Important: change by gender, number and case (except for forms with «all / all»)
Some adjectives do not form a simple excellent form, but have a complex one: sick, young, dry, old

Source: http://www.fio.ru/tables/adjective/stepeni-sravneniya-imen-prilagatelnykh/

comparative

Forms of comparative degree mean:

1. A sign that manifests itself in one object to a greater extent than in another.

• Elbrus is higher than Kazbek.
• This first sound was followed by another, harder and more drawn-out
• (I. S. Turgenev)
• Further experiments were more complex than the previous ones.
• (Acad. I. P. Pavlov)

Comparative education

The initial form of the adjective	Comparative education	Comparative adjective
sharp interesting pointless	Simple formher (s)	sharper (to her) more interesting senseless
Adjectives stemming from g, k, x, d, t, stry quiet expensive young cool	-e + alternation of the final consonant stem	hotter
Adjectives with suffixes -к-, -ок — (- ek-) low high	-e + truncate suffixes -k-, -ok — (- ek-)	lower above
long thin	-che + truncation of the final consonant of the stem g, k	longer thinner
tall big	more + -more (s)	increase more
good bad little	from other foundations	better, less
hard weak sweet	Compound formwords more, less	harder less weaker sweeter

Qualitative adjectives with the suffixes -sk-, -ov-, -l-, -n- (they do not have short forms!) Do not have a simple form of a comparative degree: friendly, mass, blood, emaciated, etc. This also includes adjectives with suffix -k- type fusible, cumbersome, heavy, separate non-derivative words (flat, decrepit, proud, sloping) and words denoting the color of animals: brown, savras, etc.

Superior degree

Superlatives denote:

1. A sign that in a given subject is manifested in the highest degree or more than in all other subjects.

• Elbrus is the highest of the Caucasus mountains.
• In this group, Ivanov is the most capable and hardworking student.
• You are the best today.

• The most important stage in your life has come.
• It is necessary to find out all the smallest details.

___________

The authors of textbooks for higher education Shansky N. M., Tikhonov A. N. and Vinogradov V. V. The initial form of the adjective is called the «form of the positive degree.»

Source: https://goldrussian.ru/stepeni-sravnenija-prilagatelnyh.html

Positive degree (der Positiv)

Positive degree — the adjective itself. Indicates the quality of an item without comparison with other items (form given in the dictionary).

Meine Wohnung ist klein.

My apartment is small.

Comparative degree (der Komparativ)

comparative used when two objects or phenomena are compared.

— Formed by adding an adjective suffix to the stem “-Er”.

— Used with the union als (what).

Deine Wohnung ist kleiner als meine.

Your apartment is smaller than mine.

— Umlaut is added to many short adjectives when forming a comparative degree.

kalt — kälter (cold — colder)

dumm — dümmer (stupid — stupid)

alt — älter

arm — ärmer

groß — größer

jung — jünger

klug — klüger

kurz — kürzer

lang — länger

— If the root of the adjective ends in el, the vowel e in the comparative degree drops out

— An adjective in a comparative degree can stand before a noun and be a definition to it.

ein billiger Wagen — cheap car => ein billigerer Wagen — cheaper car

eine kleine Wohnung — small apartment => eine kleinere Wohnung — smaller apartment

— An adjective in a comparative degree can act as a noun

Nothing interesting.

Nothing interesting.

— An adjective in a comparative degree may not mean comparison, but simply a weakened quality:

eine alte Frau (old woman) =>eine altere Frau (elderly woman)

eine kleine Stadt (small town) =>eine kleinere Stadt (small town);

Superlative degree (der Superlativ)

Superior degree expresses the highest degree of quality.

— Formed by adding an adjective suffix to the stem “- (e) st”.

Sie ist das schönste Mädchen.

She is the most beautiful girl.

— When using an excellent form, a definite article is needed, since we are dealing with something unique of its kind, and therefore specific.

— In rare cases, a superlative degree can mean not something unique of its kind, but simply the highest quality, then the indefinite article is used (in the plural without the article):

Dieser Betrieb besitzt modernste Maschinen.

This company has the most modern machines.

— Adjectives that get Umlaut in comparative degree get it in superlative:

kalt — kälter — der kälteste (colder — colder — coldest)

dumm — dümmer — der  dummste (stupid — dumber — dumbest)

— For adjectives whose stem ends in -t, — d, — sch, — s, — ß, — z superlatively before — i.e is added -is-.

der Kalteste Januar (coldest January)

— An adjective in a superlative degree can be transformed into a noun.

Wer ist der Nachste?

Who’s next?

Adjectives, the degree of comparison of which must be remembered:

gut — besser — am besten (good — better — best)

hoch — höher — am höchsten (high — higher, higher — higher than everyone)

nah — näher — am nächsten (close — closest — closest of all).

Co-founder of the crazylink.ru project. I speak German, English and Hebrew. I believe that learning languages ​​can be easy and fun. I love programming, all technical bugs are my fault

Check how you learned the material by passing the test

Total exercise: 27.

• Gestern war es kalt kalter kälter am kältesten kältest, als heute
• Nachts ist es hier im Wald noch dunkler dunkel dunkeler als jetzt.
• Deine Wohnung ist klein kleiner die kleinste als meine.
• Ich finde historische Romane sehr interessant interessanter am interessantesten
• Dieses Bild ist das schön am schönsten schönste schönstes (schön).

check out i give up want more exercise!

For every 5 correct answers — 1 point!

Source: https://crazylink.ru/germangrammar/komparativ-superlativ.html

English adjectives

English adjectives do not change in gender, case and number, which makes them easier to learn. Most often, adjectives play the role of a definition and stand before the noun (defined by the word), but after the article. Example: an interesting book is an interesting book. They can also play the role of the nominal part of the predicate. In this case, they appear after the linking verb. Example: The table is big. — The table is large. (is — verb bunch)

Comparison of adjectives

As in Russian, English adjectives form degrees of comparison. There are three degrees of comparison of adjectives: positive, comparative and excellent.

Positive degree

A basic form that simply reports quality or quantity. Example: a nice day is a nice day.

Introduction to English adjectives

As in Russian, English adjectives tell about the signs of an object or phenomenon (or qualities of a person).

In a nutshell, an adjective is a word that clarifies a noun. Adjectives describe the size, shape, age, color, origin, or material from which the item is made.

It’s a big table.	—	This is a large table. (the size)
It’s a round table.	—	This is a round table. (the form)
It’s an old table.	—	This is an old table. (age)
It’s a brown table.	—	This is a brown table. (Colour)
It’s an English table.	—	This is an English table. (origin)
It’s a wooden table.	—	This is a wooden table. (material)
It’s a lovely table.	—	This is a beautiful table. (opinion)
It’s a broken table.	—	This is a broken table. (observation)
It’s a coffee table.	—	This is a coffee table. (purpose)

­

In the case of a destination, the word of another part of speech usually acts as an adjective:

coffee tableconference hallhunting cabinbaseball player

—-

coffee table meeting room hunting hut baseball player

How do you recognize an adjective?

Often English adjectives end with one of the following suffixes:

-able / -ible — adorable, invisible, responsible, uncomfortable

-al — educational, gradual, illegal, nocturnal, viral

-an — American, Mexican, urban

-ar — cellular, popular, spectacular, vulgar

-ent — intelligent, potent, silent, violent

-ful — harmful (harmful), powerful (powerful), grateful (grateful), thoughtful (thoughtful)

-ic / -ical — athletic, energetic, magical, scientific

-ine — canine (canine), equine (equine), feminine (feminine), masculine (masculine)

-ile — agile (agile), fragile (fragile), docile (obedient), fertile (fertile)

-ive — informative, native, talkative

-less — careless, endless, homeless, timeless

-ous — cautious, dangerous, enormous, precious

-some — awesome, handsome, lonesome, wholesome

Remember, however, that things are not so simple in English! Many adjectives end in -y, -ary, and -ate — but many nouns and adverbs also end in -y, many nouns end in -ary, and many nouns and verbs end in -ate. Be careful!

Where to put the adjective?

An adjective can come before a noun. Then that’s the definition.

Human	Subject
Mandy is a smart girl.	—	Mandy is a smart girl.	This is an expensive car.	—	This is an expensive car.

The adjective can come after the verb to be. Then it’s part of the predicate.

Human	Subject
The girl is smart.	—	The girl is smart.	This car is expensive.	—	This car is expensive.

Adjectives can appear after the following verbs: appear (to appear), become (to become), feel (to feel), get (to receive), go (to go), keep (to store), turn (to turn, to become).

We use adjectives when we talk about how an object looks, smells, sounds, or tastes. In English, these are adjectives, not adverbs! (Read about the difference between adjectives and adverbs in a dedicated article.)

Source: https://skyeng.ru/articles/znakomstvo-s-anglijskimi-prilagatelnymi

Learning English

Adjectives in English do not change by person, number and case. Qualitative adjectives vary in degree of comparison. As in Russian, there are three degrees of comparison in English: a positive, comparative и excellent

Degrees of comparison of adjectives in French — Degrés de comparaison des adjectifs

Used when comparing something / someone.

Formed using adverbs plus (more), less (less), also (also), which are placed before the adjective. The second part of the comparison is preceded by a union which (than, how):

Pierre est plus grand que moi. — Pierre is taller than me.

Ma voiture est aussi rapide que la tienne. “My car is as fast as yours.

Pierre est moins sportif que moi. — Pierre is less athletic than me.

If several comparative adjectives are used in a sentence, then the adverbs plus, moins, aussi are repeated before each:

Ce film est plus intéressant et plus long que celui-là. — This film is more interesting and longer than that.

The second part of the comparison may not be mentioned in the sentence, but only implied:

Lisons ce livre, il est plus intéressant (meaning que l’autre livre). — Let’s read this book, it is more interesting (than another).

Attention!

Don’t forget about adjective alignment! — Feminine education; plural

Comparative adjectives

• Better (comparative from adjective good) — best /meilleure/meilleurs/meilleures:

Ce travail est meilleur que celui de Pierre. — This work is better than Pierre’s.

Cette pomme est meilleure que celle-là. — This apple is better than that.

But:

If the adverbs moins or aussi are used, the comparative construction is built according to the rule:

Cette pomme est moins bonne que celle-là. — This apple is worse (less good) than that.

Cette pomme est aussi bonne que celle-là. — This apple is (as good) as that.

• Worse (comparative with the adverb plus from the adjective mauvais) — worse or worst/ pires (colloquially used less often):

Ces notes sont plus mauvaises que celles de Pierre. — His grades are worse than those of Pierre.

Ces notes sont pires que celles de Pierre. — His grades are worse than those of Pierre.

• Less (comparative with the adverb plus from the adjective petit) — smaller or lesser / moindres (in an abstract sense):

Ma maison est plus petite que la tienne. “My house is smaller than yours.

Ce film a eu un succès moindre que prévu. — This film turned out to be less successful than expected.

Superlative — Le superlatif

The superlative is formed by combining a comparative adjective and a definite article (le, la, les) or a possessive adjective before adverbs (plus, moins, aussi):

C’est la plus large avenue de la ville. — This is the widest avenue in the city.

C’est mon plus grand ami. — This is my best friend.

In the superlative degree, the adjective is placed before or after the noun, depending on the place that it usually occupies. If the adjective is placed after a noun, then the definite article is repeated twice: before the noun and before the adverb plus, moins, aussi:

Ce sont les plus petites pièces. — These are the smallest rooms.

C’est la pièce la plus claire. — This is the lightest room.

But: if several superlative adjectives are used in a sentence, all of them, regardless of their position in a regular sentence, are placed after the noun:

C’est la pièce la plus grande et la plus claire. — This is the largest and lightest room.

Superlative adjectives

Those adjectives that have special forms in a comparative degree in a positive degree (with the adverb plus) retain them in an excellent one:

• bon — le / la / les meilleur / meilleure / meilleurs / meilleures;
• mauvais — le / la / les plus mauvais / mauvaise / mauvaises or le / la / les pire / pires;
• petit — le / la / les plus petit / petite / petits / petites or le / la / les moindre / moindres;

see notes to comparative degree.

Differences in the translation of the degrees of comparison of adjectives and adverbs

Four Russian adjectives in a comparative degree have forms that coincide with adverbs: less, more, better, worse… In order to correctly translate these words into French, you must first understand what part of speech they are. Adjectives will refer to nouns, and adverbs will refer to verbs.

adjective (characterizes a noun)	adverb (characterizes the verb)
less	This apple is smaller. apple est plus petite.	These apples cost less. Ces pommes cost less.
more	This package is bigger.Ce bag is bigger.	I’m doing more. Je work plus.
better

Source: http://irgol.ru/grammaticheskij-spravochnik/stepeni-sravneniya-prilagatelnyh-degres-de-compa/

Comparison of adjectives. lesson. Russian language Grade 6

In accordance with their general grammatical meaning, qualitative adjectives have two degrees of comparison, showing the extent to which a feature is manifested in an object. These are comparative and superlative degrees of comparison.

Comparative degree of an adjective

The comparative degree of an adjective denotes a greater or lesser manifestation of a feature in a particular subject. For example:

This cake is sweeter than cake.

The comparative degree is simple and compound.

A simple comparative degree is formed using the suffixes -ee — (- her-), -e, -che — / — same.

Beautiful is more beautiful

Wise is wiser

Before the suffix -, there is usually an alternation of stem consonants:

Sweet is sweeter 

Low — below

Adjectives in the form of a simple comparative degree do not change either by gender, or by case, or by number. In sentences, they can perform the functions of a predicate and a definition. For example:

This city is more beautiful than our own.

The adjective is more beautiful in the form of a simple comparative degree. In this sentence, it acts as a predicate.

Let’s find a nicer place.

The same adjective in a simple comparative degree would be a definition.

Composite comparative degree is formed by adding more or less words to the adjective.

Sweet — more or less sweet

High — more or less high

Adjectives in the form of a composite comparative degree change in gender, number and case as follows: the first word — more or less — remains unchanged. And the second word changes:

To a higher

About less beautiful

In a sentence, adjectives in the form of a compound comparative degree can be both predicates and definitions:

The weather is warmer today than a week ago.

In this sentence, we see that the adjective in the form of a compound comparative degree performs the function of a predicate.

Kolya liked the warmer water.

The same form of comparative degree will be a definition.

Remember:

The comparative degree of adjectives cannot be formed simultaneously in a simple and complex way.

It would be a mistake to use the «sweeter» construct. The options will be correct sweeter и sweeter.

Excellent comparison of adjectives

An excellent degree denotes the superiority of a given subject in comparison with the rest for some reason:

Everest is the highest peak in the world.

The superlative degree, like the comparative one, is simple and complex.

The simple superlative is formed with the suffixes -eish- or -aish-:

Quiet — the quietest

The wise is the wisest

Adjectives in the form of a simple superlative degree of comparison can vary in gender, number and case. In a sentence, they are both definitions and predicates.

Everest is the highest peak in the world.

The adjective supreme is the definition.

This crater is the deepest.

The deepest adjective is a predicate.

The compound superlative degree of adjectives can be formed in two ways:

1. By adding the words most, most, least to the adjective:

The smartest is the smartest

High is the highest

In the form of a compound superlative degree with the word itself, both words change in gender, cases and numbers:

The smartest

About the most beautiful

In the form of a compound superlative degree with words most and least, only the second word changes:

About the highest

In a sentence, this superlative form can serve as both predicate and definition.

2. To the form of the simple comparative degree of the adjective, the word of everything is added if it is a comparison with inanimate objects, or the word of all, if it is a comparison with living objects or with a number of the same objects.

This house is the highest in the area.

This house is taller than all the houses in the area.

This boy is the tallest in the school.

In sentences, such superlative forms can only be predicates.

Remember:

The excellent degree of comparison of adjectives cannot be formed at once in a simple and complex way.

Deepest forms are misleading.

Other forms of superlative comparison must be used — either the deepest or the most profound.

References

1. Russian language. Grade 6: Baranov M.T. and others — M .: Education, 2008.
2. Russian language. Theory. 5-9 grades: V.V. Babaytseva, L. D. Chesnokova — M .: Bustard, 2008.
3. Russian language. 6th grade: ed. MM. Razumovskaya, P.A. Lekanta — M .: Bustard, 2010.

Additional recommended links to Internet resources

Source: https://interneturok.ru/lesson/russian/6-klass/tema/stepeni-sravneniya-imen-prilagatelnyh

Comparison of adjectives in English

One of the easy and understandable is the theme degrees of comparison of adjectives in EnglishThere are 2 nuances in it that are worth paying attention to. Practical exercises at the end of the article will help you to fully assimilate the material and use it in speech. Purpose: to understand the principle of the formation of two degrees of comparison.

The comparative one is needed to compare objects and phenomena, and the excellent one is needed to distinguish it from the mass on any basis. Officially, there is still positive or neutral, when the adjective is in its initial form. There are no differences in the formation of adjectives in English and Russian. This is the first nuance.

Second, there are six exceptions.

Most qualitative adjectives have degrees of comparison, which have the characteristic of quality: large — larger — largest, for comparison: marine — marine — most marine. «Marine» is not a qualitative adjective, and has no degrees of comparison.

There are simple adjectives, and there are more syllables.

Simple adjectives

Consist of 1 — 2 syllables: strange, brave, tiny. Comparison degrees are formed synthetically, that is, by adding a suffix and an article.
Further in the tables: positive — I, comparative — II, excellent — III.

I	II	III
High	high	er	the	high	is
Small	small	small
Strong	strong	strong
Rich	rich	rich
Big	big	bigg
Hungry	hungri	hungri
Healthy	healthi	healthi
Happy	happi	happi

Replacement: letter y changing to i.

What consonants are doubled: g, n, t, p, l.

When: after a closed syllable.

What is a closed syllable: in a syllable after a vowel, a consonant letter is required. Example in Russian: daughter, bank, diary. Examples of an open syllable: do_ro_ga, cafe_fe, beauty_sa_vi_tsa_.

* Note: if the adjective has an «e» at the end, then it is not doubled. Fine — finer — the finest.

Compound adjectives

Change through the analytical way of education.
This is achieved by adding the words «more» and «the most», «more» and «the most».

I	II	III
important	more	important	themost	important
emotional	emotional	emotional
different	different	different
Beautiful	Beautiful	Beautiful
successful

Source: https://www.study.ru/handbook/stepeni-sravneniya-prilagatelnyh

Comparison of adjectives in Russian

Comparative degrees are characteristic of qualitative adjectives. The degrees of comparison are formed both with the help of formative suffixes, and with the help of the words «more», «less», «the most», «all».

Qualitative adjectives designate a feature of an object that it may have to a greater or lesser extent. Adjectives have two degrees of comparison:

• comparative degree;
• superlative degree.

In form, each degree of comparison can be simple (consists of one word) and compound (consists of two words).

Simple comparative education

An adjective in the form of a comparative degree shows that in one or another object the attribute is manifested to a greater or lesser extent than in another, for example:

Today, a summer night was brighter than yesterday’s.

Let’s compare:

And on the ground is a bright night, spreads white sheets on the slopes (V. Shukshin).

The first sentence describes a summer night, which was not just bright, as the Russian writer V. Shukshin reports, but lighter, that is, the sign of the object is more pronounced. This is achieved using the formative suffixes -e, -ee. This is how a simple comparative degree of qualitative adjectives is formed, for example:

• sharp — sharper;
• cheerful — more fun;
• useful is more useful;
• joyful — more joyful;
• good is better;
• bad — worse.

For some adjectives, when forming a simple degree of comparison, the root of the word changes, that is, these are supplementary forms.

A number of words have root consonant alternations:

• sweet — sweeter;
• clean is cleaner;
• liquid — thinner;
• quiet — quieter;
• thin — thinner;
• bright — brighter;
• voiced — louder;
• close — closer;
• deep — deeper.

The form of a simple comparative degree of adjectives can be formed using the prefix po and the suffixes -e, -ee:

Prefixed adjectives are common in colloquial speech.

Simple comparative adjectives Are immutable words. They do not determine the number, gender and case.

In a sentence, adjectives in the form of a comparative degree act as a predicate or inconsistent definition:

Now I have become more modest in desires (S. Yesenin).

Give me a book (which one?) More interesting.

Also note that some qualitative adjectives do not form a simple degree of comparison:

words of ancient origin:

• early
• zealous
• right
• left
• proud
• raw
• dilapidated
• timid;

adjectives with the meaning of color:

• blue
• crimson
• Gray;

names of animal suits:

words formed by the transition of relative adjectives to qualitative or from verbs using suffixes:

• -sk-: friendly, comic, human, mocking, humorous;
• -ov—: business, fire, forward, combat;
• -n-: bulk, filling, baited, excess;
• -l-: hoarse, tanned, tall, tired, lively.

In some cases, the compound comparative degree of adjectives will come to the rescue.

Composite comparative degree education

The composite comparative degree of adjectives is formed using the initial form of the adjective (nominative singular masculine) and using the words «more», «less», for example:

• tanned — more / less tanned;
• tired — more / less tired;
• comradely — more / less comradely.

Composite forms of adjectives are more bookish than simple ones.

Superlative education

The excellent degree of comparison of adjectives shows that this or that object is superior to other objects in some way, for example:

The nearest village will be fifteen kilometers from here.

We think our arguments are the most compelling.

The considered degree of comparison of the adjective also has a simple and compound form.

The simple form of the superlative degree is formed by the suffix by attaching the formative suffixes -eish-, -aish- to the base of the word:

• smart — the smartest;
• beautiful — beautiful;
• close — closest;
• strong — the strongest.

Let’s observe that the suffix -aish- participates in the formation of an adjective form with a stem on the back-lingual consonants «g», «k», «x»:

• low — the lowest bow;
• strict — the strictest prohibition.

We indicate the difficult forms of adjectives:

• dear — dearest;
• short — shortest;
• heavy — the heaviest.

To enhance the superlative degree, the prefix na- is sometimes used, which emphasizes the high, to the limit, the degree of quality of the object, for example:

• smart — the wisest;
• strong is the strongest;
• good — best — best.

Compound superlative form of adjectives

It is related to a simple compound comparative degree, that it also consists of the initial form of an adjective (singular, masculine, nominative), but it is formed by other words — «most», «most», «least», for example:

• lightest — lightest, most / least light;
• sad — the saddest, most / least sad.

This is the first way to form a superlative degree of comparison. There is also a second one:

the comparative degree of the adjective + the word «all» (the genitive form of the pronoun «all»), for example:

• interesting — the most interesting;
• loud — the loudest;
• the weak is the weakest of all.

Adjectives in the superlative degree of comparison vary in number, gender and case.

The most amazing thing in this forest was not a winter oak, but a small man in worn-out felt boots (Yu. Nagibin).

Many beautiful poems have been composed by Russian poets about the saddest period of leaf fall.

Morphological errors in the formation of degrees of comparison of adjectives

Failure to comply with the morphological norms of the formation of comparative degrees of adjectives causes the occurrence of such speech errors:

• this ribbon is redder than this one;
• this candy is sweeter than that instead of sweeter;
• the dress turned out to be shorter instead of shorter;
• your voice is louder instead of louder;
• harder character instead of harder;
• you are smarter instead of smarter;
• the forward is faster instead of faster;
• the conclusions are deeper instead of deeper;
• the jelly became thinner instead of thinner;
• it is the most famous melody instead of the most famous;
• the subtlest hint instead of the subtlest hint.

From the point of view of the morphological norm of the Russian language, it is inadmissible to combine the forms of simple comparative and compound degrees into one.

Wrong to say:

• better conditions;
• worse habits.

An exercise

We indicate the numbers of sentences in which the first answer is correct:

1. Our ties with Russian universities are becoming (stronger, stronger).
2. (The closest, nearest) first-aid post is located a kilometer from us.
3. New dress (shorter, shorter) than what I was wearing yesterday.
4. These facts require (the most serious, the most serious) analysis.
5. The circus performer was able to perform a (more difficult, more difficult) trick without duplicates.
6. In the history of figure skating, this pair played (the most important, most important) role.
7. Bright yellow tulips (happier, happier) in the rays of the spring sun.
8. The second part of the novel (less interesting, less interesting).

lesson «Formation of degrees of comparison of adjectives»

Source: https://russkiiyazyk.ru/chasti-rechi/prilagatelnoe/stepeni-sravneniya-prilagatelnyih.html

Comparison of adjectives in English

Only qualitative adjectives in English form degrees of comparison. They designate qualities, features inherent directly to the object, not expressing its relation to the material, position in space or in time. Qualitative adjectives can be used with the adverb very: you can say very long, but you cannot say very wooden.

Adjectives in English form three degrees of comparison:

• Polishing — basic form: beautiful, soft, charming, serious
• Comparative — when compared with other objects: more beautiful, softer, more charming, more serious
• Superb — shows the highest degree of trait: the most beautiful, the softest, the most charming, the most serious

 Formation of degrees of comparison

Comparative and superlative degrees are formed in two ways, depending on the structure of the adjective.

Polishing	Comparative	Superb
adj	adj + er	the adj + est
Bright	Brighter	The brightest

 This method is used:

• For single word adjectives:

Tall, long, new, sad, odd

• For two-syllable adjectives with stress on the second syllable:

Polite, remote

• For two-syllable adjectives with endings -y, -ble, -er, -some, -ow:

Noble, clever, silly, narrow

Exceptions: right, wrong, real

When forming the comparative and superlative degrees in this way, adjectives can change slightly:

• The last dumb “e” is removed: brave — braver — the bravest
• The ending «y» changes to «I»: silly — sillier — the silliest
• For adjectives with a short syllable and a consonant at the end, the consonant doubles: hot — hotter — the hottest

examples:

This street is the narrowest in our town. — This street is the narrowest in our city.

Bob’s room is much brighter than Mary’s. — Bob’s room is much lighter than Mary’s.

What’s the easiest way to do it? — What’s the easiest way to do it?

Polishing	Comparative	Superb
adj	More + adj	the most + adj
Excellent	More excellent	The most excellent

This method is used for all other adjectives (except for exceptions) — disyllabic with stress on the first syllable and polysyllabic. The words do not change in any way, the words more or most are placed in front of them.

I think reading a book is more interesting than playing games. — I think reading a book is more interesting than playing games.

What was the most difficult task on the exam? — What was the most difficult task in the exam?

It was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen, but it turned out to be much more expensive than I thought. — It was the most beautiful dress I have ever seen, but it turned out to be much more expensive than I thought.

1. Sometimes adjectives can be used in both ways. Recently, in most of such cases, preference has been given to the analytical form. Two-syllable adjectives with an emphasis on the last syllable have become more often used in speech with the words more and most, despite the rules described in the grammar.

Both variants use adjectives:

• True
• Hot
• Happy
• Clever
• Sincerely
• politics
• Handsome
• Awesome

You should be more polite / politer when you are talking to the elder. “You should be more polite when you talk to your elders.

I believed him because he had the sincerest / the most sincere face. — I believed him because he has the most sincere face.

Exceptions

Certain adjectives form degrees of comparison without following the rules described above. They can completely change the root of a word in other degrees. These exceptions need to be remembered.

Polishing	Comparative	Superb
Good	Better	The best
Bath	Word	The worst
Little	Less	the least

Give me the least cake, please. — Please give me the smallest cake.

I don’t this version, but that one is even worse. — I don’t like this option, but that one is even worse.

The adjectives old, far, late and near form the degree of comparison in two versions: standard, according to the described rules, and as an exception. These options vary in meaning.

old:

Older, the oldest

Elder, the eldest — the eldest in the family

He is the oldest man in this town. “He is the oldest man in this city.

Do you know my elder brother? — Do you know my older brother?

far:

Farther, the farthest — farthest in distance

Further, the furthest — other meanings

Our house is farther than theirs. “Our home is farther than theirs.

What are your further instructions? — What are your next instructions?

Close:

The nearest — closest

The next — next

Let’s go to the nearest pub. — Let’s go to the nearest pub.

The next question is really difficult. — The next question is really difficult.

late:

Later, the latest — later in time

The latter is the last in the list, in order of two

When does the latest train leave? — When does the latest train leave?

There are two ways to solve this problem: to speak to him or to fire him. I don’t the latter. — There are two ways to solve this problem: talk to him or fire him. I don’t like the last (second) method.

Source: https://lingua-airlines.ru/kb-article/stepeni-sravneniya-prilagatelnyh-v-anglijskom/