Comparative of the word thing

Forming comparative adjectives

As well as serving as modifying words like beautiful and big, adjectives are also used for indicating the position on a scale of comparison. The lowest point on the scale is known as the absolute form, the middle point is known as the comparative form, and the highest point is known as the superlative form. Here are some examples:

Absolute Comparative Superlative
This book is long. This book is longer than that book. This is the longestbook.
The airport is far. The airport is farther than the train station. This is the farthestairport.
My mom is a goodcook. My mom is a better cook than your mom. My mom is the bestcook.

The comparative form

When two objects or persons are being compared, the comparative form of the adjective is used. The comparative adjective can be formed in two ways:

  1. Adding –er to the absolute form of the adjective.
  2. Adding the word more before the adjective.

For example:

  1. My essay is longer than yours.
  2. She is more beautiful than her sister.

Here are the rules for choosing and forming the right form:

Add When Example Forming and Exceptions
er Words of one syllable This is a longer book. ·         Words ending with ‘e‘, add ‘r‘ to the end of the word (e.g., lame → lamer).

·         Words with one vowel and one consonant at the end, double the consonant and add –er to the end of the word (e.g., big → bigger).

·         Words with more than one vowel or more than one consonant at the end, add –er to the end of the word (e.g., hard → harder).

er Words of two syllables ending with ‘y This doll is prettier. Change ‘y‘ to ‘i‘, and add –er to the end of the word.
more Words of two syllables not ending with ‘y He is more charming than his friend. Insert more before the adjective
more Three syllable words or longer This is a more powerful cable. Insert more before the adjective

When comparing two things, the word than is positioned between the adjective and the thing being compared. For example:

  1. Apples are tastier than
  2. This painting is more interesting than that painting.

Superlatives

The superlative is used to say what thing or person has the most of a particular quality within a group or of its kind. The superlative can be formed in two ways:

  1. Adding –est to the absolute form of the adjective.
  2. Adding the word most before the adjective.

For example:

  1. This is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen.
  2. The biggest table in the room.

Here are the rules for choosing and forming the right form:

Add When Example Forming and Exceptions
est Words of one syllable This is the longest book. ·         Words ending with ‘e‘, add ‘st‘ to the end of the word (e.g., large → largest).

·         Words with one vowel and one consonant at the end, double the consonant and add –est to the end of the word (e.g., big → biggest).

·         Words with more than one vowel or more than one consonant at the end, add –est to the end of the word (e.g., blue → bluest).

est Words of two syllables ending with ‘y This doll is the prettiest. Change ‘y‘ to ‘i‘, and add –est to the end of the word.
most Words of two syllables not ending with ‘y He is the most charming boy at school. Insert most before the adjective
most Three syllable words or longer This is the most powerful story. Insert most before the adjective

Superlatives are usually preceded by the word the.

Positive form

The positive form is used in cases where there are no differences between the two compared things or persons. To form the positive, we use the word as before and after the absolute form of the adjective. For example:

  1. Danny is as smart as
  2. She is as beautiful as her older sister.

This can also be applied in a negative context to indicate that the compared objects are not similar:

  1. Danny is not as smart as
  2. She is not as beautiful as her older sister.

Exceptions (irregular forms)

Certain adjectives have irregular forms in the comparative and superlative degrees:

Absolute Comparative Superlative
Good Better Best
Bad Worse Worst
Little Less Least
Much/many/some More Most

Examples of comparing adjectives

  1. This house is bigger than that one.
  2. This flower is more beautiful than that.
  3. He is taller than Mr. Hulas.
  4. He is more intelligent than this boy.
  5. Jonathan is the most handsome man on campus.
  6. This is the prettiest dress in the window.
  7. I lost my most comfortable
  8. My job is worse than yours.

how to determine the degree of comparison in adjectives

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

how to determine the degree of comparison in adjectives

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

how to determine the degree of comparison in 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).

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  • 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).

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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/

As well as serving as modifying words like beautiful and big, adjectives are also used for indicating the position on a scale of comparison. The lowest point on the scale is known as the positive form, the middle point is known as the comparative form, and the highest point is known as the superlative form. Here are some examples:

Positive Comparative Superlative
This book is long. This book is longer than that book. This is the longest book.
The airport is far. The airport is farther than the train station. This is the farthest airport.
My mom is a good cook. My mom is a better cook than your mom. My mom is the best cook.

The comparative form

When two objects or persons are being compared, the comparative form of the adjective is used. The comparative adjective can be formed in two ways:

  1. Adding –er to the positive form of the adjective.
  2. Adding the word more before the adjective.

For example:

  1. My essay is longer than yours.
  2. She is more beautiful than her sister.

Here are the rules for choosing and forming the right form:

Add When Example Forming and Exceptions
er Words of one syllable This is a longer book.
  • Words ending with ‘e‘, add ‘r‘ to the end of the word (e.g., lame → lamer).
  • Words with one vowel and one consonant at the end, double the consonant and add –er to the end of the word (e.g., big → bigger).
  • Words with more than one vowel or more than one consonant at the end, add –er to the end of the word (e.g., hard → harder).
er Words of two syllables ending with ‘y This doll is prettier. Change ‘y‘ to ‘i‘, and add –er to the end of the word.
more Words of two syllables not ending with ‘y He is more charming than his friend. Insert more before the adjective
more Three syllable words or longer This is a more powerful cable. Insert more before the adjective

When comparing two things, the word than is positioned between the adjective and the thing being compared. For example:

  1. Apples are tastier than oranges.
  2. This painting is more interesting than that painting.

Superlatives

The superlative is used to say what thing or person has the most of a particular quality within a group or of its kind. The superlative can be formed in two ways:

  1. Adding –est to the Positive form of the adjective.
  2. Adding the word most before the adjective.

For example:

  1. This is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen.
  2. The biggest table in the room.

Here are the rules for choosing and forming the right form:

Add When Example Forming and Exceptions
est Words of one syllable This is the longest book.
  • Words ending with ‘e‘, add ‘st‘ to the end of the word (e.g., large → largest).
  • Words with one vowel and one consonant at the end, double the consonant and add –est to the end of the word (e.g., big → biggest).
  • Words with more than one vowel or more than one consonant at the end, add –est to the end of the word (e.g., blue → bluest).
est Words of two syllables ending with ‘y This doll is the prettiest. Change ‘y‘ to ‘i‘, and add –est to the end of the word.
most Words of two syllables not ending with ‘y He is the most charming boy at school. Insert most before the adjective
most Three syllable words or longer This is the most powerful story. Insert most before the adjective

Superlatives are usually preceded by the word the.

Positive form

The positive form is used in cases where there are no differences between the two compared things or persons. To form the positive, we use the word as before and after the positive form of the adjective. For example:

  1. Danny is as smart as Phillip.
  2. She is as beautiful as her older sister.

This can also be applied in a negative context to indicate that the compared objects are not similar:

  1. Danny is not as smart as Phillip.
  2. She is not as beautiful as her older sister.

Exceptions (irregular forms)

Certain adjectives have irregular forms in the comparative and superlative degrees:

Positive Comparative Superlative
Good Better Best
Bad Worse Worst
Little Less Least
Much/many/some More Most

Examples of comparing adjectives

  1. This house is bigger than that one.
  2. This flower is more beautiful than that.
  3. He is taller than Mr. Hulas.
  4. He is more intelligent than this boy.
  5. Jonathan is the most handsome man on campus.
  6. This is the prettiest dress in the window.
  7. I lost my most comfortable shoes.
  8. My job is worse than yours.

Comparing adjective exercises

1. Choose the comparative adjective in each group of sentences:

    1. Her hair is short.
    2. Her hair is shorter than it was before.
    3. Her hair is the shortest it has ever been.
    1. We live nearer the train station than we used to.
    2. Park in the lot nearest the train station.
    3. I know the train station is somewhere near.
    1. My dog might be ugly, but he is nice.
    2. That’s the ugliest dog I’ve ever seen!
    3. Because he was uglier than the others, my dog won the ugly dog contest.
    1. Your presentation was more informative than most.
    2. She gave an informative talk on honeybees.
    3. That’s the most informative speech I’ve ever heard Professor Brown give!

Answers: A: 2 – shorter B: 1 – nearer C: 3 – uglier D: 1: more informative

2. Which of the following sentences does not contain a comparing adjective?

  1. I’d like to have more participation from each of you this time around.
  2. If you’d have listened better, you wouldn’t be confused right now.
  3. They live in the brick house on the corner.

Answer:C

3. Choose the superlative adjective in each group of sentences:

    1. That’s the best ice cream I’ve ever tasted!
    2. You’re a lot nicer than your sister.
    3. This is delicious cake.
    1. This presentation seems longer than usual.
    2. Of all the hairstyles in the room, hers is most stylish.
    3. I’m often trying to do better than others.
    1. Lake Silfra has some of the clearest water on the world.
    2. This shop carries nicer things than it used to.
    3. My cat has three adorable kittens.
    1. Be careful; that’s a fragile vase.
    2. You’re more cheerful than you used to be.
    3. This is the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me.

Answers: A – 1: best B – 2: most stylish C – 1: clearest D – 3: most exciting

4. Which of the following sentences contains a superlative adjective?

  1. I can run further than before.
  2. She has the pinkest cheeks I’ve ever seen!
  3. Jimmy is a cute baby.

Answer: : B – pinkest

5. Choose the positive adjective in each group of sentences:

    1. Your face is red.
    2. You have the reddest face!
    3. If you don’t wear sunscreen, your face will get redder.
    1. This is the best book I’ve ever read.
    2. I like this book better than the last one I read.
    3. That’s a good book.
    1. Most chocolate is sweet.
    2. Milk chocolate is sweeter than dark chocolate.
    3. I’m not sure which chocolate is sweetest.
    1. This is a charming house.
    2. Our new home is so much more charming than our old one.
    3. She’s the most charming person I’ve ever met.

Answers: A – 1: red B – 3: good C – 1: sweet D – charming

6. Choose the correct comparing adjective for each sentence:

  1. My mother is a _____________ woman.
    • Smart
    • Smarter
    • Smartest
  2. The surgeon worked ____________ to stabilize the patient.
    • Quickly
    • Most quickly
    • More quickly
  3. We ran ______________ than we did last week.
    • Fast
    • Faster
    • Fastest
  4. After the party, the house was the _______________ it’s ever been.
    • Messy
    • Messier
    • Messiest

Answers: A – smart B – quickly C – faster D – messiest

7. Name the type of comparing adjective in each sentence:

  1. Jinx is a hairy dog.
  2. She has the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen.
  3. He made me madder than I’ve been in a long time.
  4. We felt more excited than ever when we heard the news.

Answers: A – positive B – superlative C – comparative D – comparative

8. Choose the sentence with the positive form comparing adjective:

  1. This book is more interesting than that one.
  2. The story we heard this week was as interesting as last week’s.
  3. This is one of the most interesting stories I’ve ever heard.

Answer: B

9. Which of the following sentences contains a comparing adjective in the comparative form?

  1. We’ve had a run of bad luck lately.
  2. This is the worst snowstorm we have had in ten years.
  3. Your injury is worse than mine.

Answer: C – worse

10. Which of the following sentences contains a comparing adjective in the superlative form?

  1. She is not as mean as her older sister is.
  2. This is the least exciting movie I’ve ever seen.
  3. Mr. Brown is more boring than Mr. Philips.

Answer: B – least exciting

Learn Comparison of Adjectives in English with Pictures and Examples.

Degrees of comparison refer to adjectives being written in different forms to compare one, two or more nouns which are words describing persons, places, and things.

The three different forms of comparison are the positive, the comparative and the superlative.

  • The positive is the form of the adjective that describes one noun.
  • The comparative form of the adjective compares two nouns.
  • The superlative form of the adjective compares more than two nouns.

The Comparative Form of Adjectives

The comparative form is used to compare two people, ideas, or things.

Adjectives with one syllable:

1. Usually add “er

  • Fast => faster
  • Cheap => cheaper
  • Clear => clearer
  • loud => louder
  • new => newer
  • rich => richer
  • short => shorter
  • thick => thicker
  • old => older
  • tall => taller
  • slow => slower

2. Ending in –e: add “r

  • large => larger
  • wide => wider
  • wise => wiser
  • nice => nicer

3. Ending in a vowel + a consonant: double the consonant, add “er

  • big      => bigger
  • fat      => fatter
  • fit      => fitter

Adjectives with two syllables and the following endings:

1. Two syllables not ending in -y, -ow, -le, -er: more + adjective

  • polite => more polite
  • helpful => more helpful
  • useful => more useful
  • obscure => more obscure

2. Some two-syllable adjectives, especially ending in –y: y => i, add “er

  • hungry => hungrier
  • happy => happier
  • pretty => prettier
  • heavy => heavier
  • angry => angrier
  • dirty => dirtier
  • funny => funnier

3. Some two-syllable adjectives ending in –ow: add “er

  • narrow => narrower
  • shallow => shallower

4. Some two-syllable adjectives ending in –o: add “r

  • humble => humbler
  • gentle => gentler

5. Some two-syllable adjectives ending in –er: add “er

  • clever => cleverer

Adjectives with three syllables or more: more + adjective

  • interesting => more interesting
  • comfortable => more comfortable
  • beautiful => more beautiful
  • difficult => more difficult
  • dangerous => more dangerous
  • expensive => more expensive
  • popular => more popular
  • complicated => more complicated
  • confident => more confident

How to use the Comparative form in Sentences:

  • He is taller than me.
  • This puzzle is easier than the last one.
  • The book was more interesting than the film.

Comparative Adjectives

Comparative Adjectives

The Superlative Form of Adjectives

The superlative is used to say what thing or person has the most of a particular quality within a group or of its kind.

Adjectives with one syllable:

1. Usually add “est

  • Fast => fastest
  • Cheap => cheapest
  • Clear => clearest
  • loud => loudest
  • new => newest
  • rich => richest
  • short => shortest
  • thick => thickest
  • old => oldest
  • tall => tallest
  • slow => slowest

2. Ending in –e: add “st

  • large => largest
  • wide => widest
  • wise => wisest
  • nice => nicest

3. Ending in a vowel + a consonant: double the consonant, add “est

  • big => biggest
  • fat => fattest
  • fit => fittest

Adjectives with two syllables and the following endings:

1. Two syllables not ending in -y, -ow, -le, -er: most + adjective

  • polite => most polite
  • helpful => most helpful
  • useful => most useful
  • obscure => most obscure

2. Some two-syllable adjectives, especially ending in –y: y => i, add “est

  • hungry => hungriest
  • happy => happiest
  • pretty => prettiest
  • heavy => heaviest
  • angry => angriest
  • dirty => dirtiest
  • funny => funniest

3. Some two syllable adjectives ending in –ow: add “est

  • narrow => narrowest
  • shallow => shallowest

4. Some two-syllable adjectives ending in –o: add “st

  • humble => humblest
  • gentle => gentlest

5. Some two-syllable adjectives ending in –er: add “est

  • clever => cleverest

Adjectives with three syllables or more: most + adjective

  • interesting => most interesting
  • comfortable => most comfortable
  • beautiful => most beautiful
  • difficult => most difficult
  • dangerous => most dangerous
  • expensive => most expensive
  • popular => most popular
  • complicated => most complicated
  • confident => most confident

How to use the Superlative form in Sentences:

  • He was the tallest boy in the class.
  • This puzzle is the easiest in the whole book.
  • It’s the most interesting book I’ve ever read.

Superlatives

Comparison of adjectives and adverbs

Superlative Form of Adjectives

comparison of adjectives

The Positive Form of Adjectives

The positive form is used in cases where there are no differences between the two compared things or persons. To form the positive, we use the word as before and after the absolute form of the adjective.

For Examples:

  • as short as
  • as polite as
  • as friendly as

How to use the Positive form in Sentences:

  • Reading is as enjoyable as writing.
  • The results were as conclusive as in previous studies.
  • Finding participants for the study was not as easy as I thought.
  • Her level of expertise was not as extensive as her employer had hoped.

as...as expressions

Irregular Forms in Comparison of Adjectives

When comparing adjectives, the regular forms are formed by adding -er for the comparative form and -est for the superlative form. However, some adjectives have irregular forms when used in comparisons. These forms must be memorized or looked up in a dictionary. Examples of irregular comparative and superlative forms include:

  • good – better – best
  • bad – worse – worst
  • little – less – least
  • much – more – most
  • far – farther/further – farthest/furthest

Comparison of Adjectives

Comparison of Adjectives

We often describe things by comparing them to other things. So it’s very helpful to know just how to use comparatives and superlatives in English. They’ll help you to accurately describe the differences between things and people. 

What is a Comparative Adjective?

Comparative adjectives help us to show differences or show change. 

You can use comparative adjectives to compare two things or people to each other. 

What is a Superlative Adjective?

Superlatives adjectives are used to compare three or more things to each other.

Superlative adjectives are used to show something has a trait to the greatest or least degree. 

How to Change Form for Comparatives and Superlatives

How to change a base adjective into a comparative or superlative adjective depends on how many syllables are in the adjective and the spelling of the word. 

Note: With longer adjectives and with adverbs ending in —ly, add more and most. less and least are used with adjectives of any length.

One-Syllable Adjectives

One-syllable adjectives are turned into the comparative form by adding “er.” 

If the adjective has a consonant + single vowel + consonant spelling, the final consonant must be doubled before adding the ending.

Two-Syllable Adjectives

Adjectives with two syllables can form the comparative either by adding “er” or by putting more or less in front of the adjective. Words ending in “y”, will lose the “y” and add “ier.” 

Adjectives with an “ed” ending, will be preceded by “more” to make the comparative form and “most» for the superlative form.

To make the superlative form, add “est” to the end. Similar to the comparative form, adjectives ending in “y”, will lose the “y” and add “iest.” 

Three or More Syllable Adjectives

Adjectives with three or more syllables form the comparative by putting more or less in front of the adjective. The superlative is formed by putting “most” or “least” in front of the adjective. 

Irregular comparatives and superlatives

These irregular adjectives don’t follow specific rules for changing form to comparatives and superlatives. 

Example Sentences Using Comparative Adjectives

Comparing Two Things or People (comparatives underlined) 

Structure: Comparative + than + other thing

The Burj Khalifa is 322 meters taller than Taipei 101
Coffee is better than tea

California is bigger than Hawaii

The sun is brighter than the moon

Showing Change with Comparatives

When we want to describe how something or someone changes over time, we can use two comparatives connected by “and.” 

Structure: comparative + and + comparative

His violin playing gets better and better

Her dog is getting bigger and bigger

The kitchen is smelling more and more delicious. 

New cars can go faster and faster

Using comparative adjectives to show that one thing depends on another

When you’re showing that one thing depends on another using comparatives, you’ll have a phrase opening the sentence followed by a comma. The opening phrase will start with “the” and a comparative adjective

The older you get, the more difficult your schoolwork is. 

ie. Schoolwork gets more difficult as you get older. 

The better your ingredients, the better your food will be. 

ie. Your food is better when you have better ingredients. 

The further you go, the more time it takes to get there. 

ie. It takes longer to go further. 

The more responsibilities you have, the more you get paid. 

ie. You get paid for having more responsibilities. 

Example Sentences Using Superlative Adjectives

Using superlatives to compare things or people

Grammar Note: In these sentences, “the” goes in front of the superlative adjective. This is because only one person or object in the group has the most of a trait.

This is the best fried chicken. 

Lavender flowers are the most fragrant flowers. 

That TV is the biggest one. 

The hamburger is the least expensive dish here. 

Using Superlatives to specify possessions

Grammar Note: When you the superlative adjective follows a possessive, it doesn’t need “the.” This is because it’s not being compared against a group of objects or people.

My best effort wasn’t enough. 

That is my sharpest knife. 

This is Ford’s biggest truck. 

Those are her most comfortable jeans. 

Describing when a trait applies most to a person or thing

Grammar Note: You also don’t need to use “the” in front of the superlative adjective when or where you are describing the time a trait applies most to a person or thing. However, it is just as correct in these cases if you put “the” in front of the superlative adjectives.

I’m most tired at night. 

The weather is hottest in summer. 

My parents are most generous at Christmas. 

The sun is brightest mid-day.

I’m the most comfortable at home.

My mom is the angriest when there’s traffic.

Now, we have covered what comparative adjectives and superlative adjectives are, how to change form and how to use them in sentences. If you would like more help with English, check out our programs. FLS offers English classes for all levels and every purpose including business English, essential English and SAT Prep.

Sometimes we need to compare people, places, or things. When we compare two people, places, or things, we use the comparative. When we compare three or more, we use the superlative. In this posting I talk about how to form and use the comparative and superlative. There will be many example sentences. The download at the end will give you additional practice using the comparative and superlative to compare.

Here is the video lesson on Comparing in English:

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How to compare using the comparative

When we compare two people, places, or things, one is often older, larger, or more expensive than the other. We use the comparative with an adjective to describe these two things. Here is the formula we use when the adjective is a short word–only one or two syllables:

adjective + er + than

Sara is prettier than her sister. 

New York is larger than Denver. 

A house is smaller than on office building. 

If the adjective is a longer word–three or more syllables, use the following formula:

more (or less) + adjective + than

Robert is more intelligent than Joseph. 

London is a more expensive city than Denver. 

Rap music is more popular than opera. 

Opera is less popular than rap music.

We can also add the word much for emphasis.

My parents are much older than yours. 

My classes last semester were much more interesting than my classes this semester.

Some exceptions when we compare two things.

Here are a few exceptions when we use the comparative to compare two things:

good–better than

Going to Disneyland is better than going to the dentist.

bad–worse than

My friend and I both failed the test, but I did worse than she did. 

far–farther than

I live farther from Chicago than from Nebraska.

fun–more fun than (even though fun has only one syllable)

Playing soccer is more fun than studying.

Asking a question when we need to compare two things

Use the following formula when ask a question and need to compare two things. This formula is for a sentence with a short adjective:

Wh word + verb + adjective + er

Who is taller, Bob of Bill?  Bill is taller.   . Note, we don’t need to add “than Bob” because we already know which two people we are talking about.

We use this formula when we compare two things and have a longer adjective:

Wh word + verb + more + adjective

Which city is more populated, Tokyo or Ft. Collins? Tokyo is.

How to compare using the superlative

When we compare three or more people, places, or things, one is usually the biggest, the oldest, or the most interesting one. When we compare in this way, we use the superlative. Use this formula when comparing three or more things and a short (one syllable) adjective:

the + adjective + est

My wife is the prettiest woman in the world.

Denver is the largest city in Colorado.

For longer adjectives (three or more syllables), use this formula:

the + most (or least) + adjective

He is the most intelligent man I have ever met. 

Paris is the most beautiful city in Europe.

Love is the most important thing you can give a child.

Isle Royale is the least visited national park in the United States.

How to compare three or more things in the plural using the superlative

Sometimes we compare things in the plural. For example, we know that there are many large cities in the world. Mexico City is one large city among many. It is only one city. It may not be the largest city in the world, but we know it is larger than many big cities. This is the formula we use:

one of the + adjective or one of the + most + adjective + plural noun

Tokyo is one of the largest cities in the world. . Note, we are comparing Tokyo to all the large cities in the world.

The lion is one of the most beautiful animals in the zoo. . Note, we are comparing the lion to all the animals in the zoo.

Some exceptions when we compare using the superlative

Here are some exceptions when we use the superlative to compare three or more things:

good–better than–the best

This is the best vacation I have ever taken!

bad–worse than–the worst

This is the worst cold I have ever had!

far–farther than–the farthest

Norway is the farthest north that I have ever traveled. 

fun–more fun than–the most fun

We went to the rodeo, and it was the most fun we ever had!

How to ask a question when you need to compare with the superlative

When we compare and need to ask a question using the superlative, use one of these formulas:

Wh word + the + adjective +est

Who is the nicest worker in the office?  Maria is the nicest. or Maris is. or Everyone in the office is nice, but Maria is the nicest.

Which bank is the best bank to work for? The First National Bank. they treat you well.

Wh word + the most + adjective

Which animal is the most frightening one in the jungle? Probably the hyena.

Wh word + one of the  + adjective or  Wh word + one of the most + adjective

Who is one of the prettiest girls in Colorado?  My girlfriend, of course!

Which team is one of the most popular football teams in the NFL?  I’d have to day it’s the Broncos.

How to compare when all things are equal

Sometimes we compare things and find that they are equal. When this happens, we use the following formula:

as + adjective + as

Jose is as tall as his brother.  This means they are the same height.

Algebra is as difficult as geometry.

You now know how to compare two things, or three or more things using the comparative and superlative. We use the comparative to compare two things. We add er to the adjective plus the word the word than. If the adjective is a longer word, we say more plus the adjective. We use the superlative to compare three or more things. We say the, plus the adjective, followed by est. For a longer adjective, we say the most plus the adjective. When we compare a plural noun using the superlative, we say one of the  plus the adjective, or one of the most plus the adjective, plus the plural noun. When two things are the same, we say as, plus the adjective , plus as. The download below will give you additional practice using the comparative and superlative.

You can download the practice sheet NOW!

Idioms of the Day

  1. to turn over a new leaf   — This means to make a change for the better. Martin was late for work everyday, and the boss told him he was going to fire him. So Martin has turned over a new leaf. He comes to work on time every day.
  2. under the weather   — This means to feel sick. I need to see a doctor. I’ve been under the weather for two weeks and I’m not getting any better.

Even if you’ve only started learning English, this vocabulary will be useful for you. Also, if you are about to sit an English exam for an international certificate such as FCE, CAE, TOEFL, IELTS, etc, or simply need to write an essay for homework, this post will be extremely useful for you. So, let’s dive into words and phrases you use for comparing and contrasting in English.

Comparative form 

First of all, we use the comparative form of adjectives and adverbs to compare things or people.

  • London is a far bigger city than Vienna.
  • People sleep less as they are older.
  • Ryan drives faster than I do.

Compared to/with

This phrase is normally used for comparing, especially when it is about numbers and amounts of something.

  • This novel is ridiculous compared to/with his previous one.
  • The number of people who died in air crashes last year was 13% smaller compared to/with this year.
  • It’s nothing compared to/with the amount of pain I felt when you left and broke my heart.

In case you want to emphasize a large difference in something, you can also use the phrase “as compared to”

  • The life expectancy of women in the UK is 78 as compared to the life expectancy of 49 a century ago.
  • The profit they made this year is much higher as compared to the profit they made in the first year.

Comparing and contrasting in English

Likewise 

Meaning: the same, in the same way.

  • Pam took a pencil and started writing and told the students to do likewise.
  • When Boris started running in the morning before work, his girlfriend thought it would be good for her to do likewise.
  • ‘I hate to write reports from the meetings.’ ‘Likewise’

Similarly

Meaning: similar, in a similar way.

  • All his letters were similarly written.
  • Similarly to his brother, he showed great interest in literature and film.
  • In order to grow, plants need water. Similarly, they must have sufficient light, as well.
  • Two years after the Coronavirs pandemic started, the cost of food has risen. Similarly, the cost of clothing has gone up.

Comparing and contrasting in English

 Comparing and Contrasting in English

Comparing and Contrasting in English

Unlike

Meaning: untypical, different from.

  • Tom was very polite, unlike most children in the camp.
  • He felt that the woman he met last night was unlike any other woman he’d ever met before.
  • Unlike you, I am always on time.

In proportion to 

Meaning: use it to compare something concerning amount or size.

  • American national debt is higher than British in proportion to their average incomes.
  • Indian people consider a man happy in proportion to the number of children he has.
  • The dog’s ears were big in proportion to its head.

In contrast

Use it to express the difference between things, people, ideas.

  • In contrast to boys, baby girls usually start talking earlier.
  • Young rabbits have an appearance like adult ones, in contrast with baby swans which don’t look like their parents at all.
  • In the summer months, the weather on the island is dry and warm. In contrast, the rest of the year is rainy, especially between November and March.

Comparing and contrasting in English

As opposed to

Meaning: instead of, in contrast of.

  • You should write what you think about this matter, as opposed to copying it from the Internet.
  • As opposed to some other animals, we know that chimpanzees can recognize themselves in the mirror.
  • The cost of this car is $23,000, as opposed to the last year’s $25,000.

Different from

  • Although they are twins, they are very different from each other.
  • This book is quite different from anything I’ve ever read before.
  • Ever since he got back from prison, he’s different from the man we used to know.

 Comparing and Contrasting in English

Comparing and Contrasting in English

Whereas

Use it to contrast two people or things.

  • He’s a slim, tall man whereas his wife is short and chubby.
  • Whereas butter is made from the butterfat of milk, margarine is made mainly of refined vegetable oil and water.
  • I like oatmeal for breakfast whereas Sara prefers a big English breakfast.

Make/draw a parallel

Use the phrase to say how similar two or more things or people are.

  • In her documentary, the director makes a parallel between the eating habits of people now and 30 years ago.
  • Tom drew a parallel between the two writers’ lives and works in his paper.

Comparing and contrasting in English

Make/draw a distinction

This phrase is to show how different two or more things or people are.

  • In his book, he drew a clear distinction between the habits of people living in rural and urban areas.
  • The law draws a clear distinction between employed and unemployed people related to paying taxes.

On the one hand, on the other hand

Use these phrases to compare two different facts of the situation.

  • On the one hand, while I enjoy the benefits of living in the country, on the other hand, I sometimes miss hustle and bustle of the city.
  • On the one hand, he wanted a job with a higher salary, but on the other hand, he didn’t want to leave his colleagues as they made good friends.

You can use these idioms to emphasise the difference between two people or things.

Comparing and contrasting in English

 A far cry from

  • The village she was born in was a far cry from the big city she has been living in now.
  • What the government did during their mandate was a far cry from what they had promised to do.

A world of difference

  • A new roof made a world of difference in the old house.
  • There’s a world of difference between saying and doing, isn’t there?

Comparing and Contrasting in English

Comparing and contrasting in English

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When we describe the things around us, we often make comparisons. For example, a lion is a big cat. When we see a rhino sitting next to a lion, we might say that the rhino is bigger than the lion due to its size. Later on during our safari, we see an elephant, and we know that it is the biggest animal we are likely to see due to its massive size.

If you’re the king of the grammar jungle, you already know that we use adjectives like the words big, bigger, and biggest to modify and describe nouns and pronouns. When we make comparisons, we use special types of adjectives called comparative adjectives and superlative adjectives. But what is the difference between these two? Is one better than the other? And which kind of adjective is best to use in our sentences? We can’t settle this adjective popularity contest right now but we can compare these two types of adjectives to learn when and how to use them.

Comparative adjective vs. superlative adjective

Both comparative adjectives and superlative adjectives are formed from the positive form of an adjective (the “basic” form you’ll see if you look up an adjective in our amazing dictionary). In general, comparative adjectives end in -er or use the words more or less, while superlative adjectives end in -est or use the words most and least. For example, smaller is a comparative adjective and smallest is a superlative adjective. As another example, more determined is a comparative adjective and most determined is a superlative adjective.

Both of these types of adjectives are used in comparisons of people and/or things. Comparative adjectives are used to compare two people or things and superlative adjectives are used to compare more than two people or things. For example:

  • My house is bigger than her house. (comparing two things)
  • Out of the 30 houses in the neighborhood, Reginald’s is the biggest. (comparing more than two things)
  • Maya is younger than Ben. (comparing two people)
  • Maya is the youngest student in the class of 20. (comparing more than two people)

We will explore more specific ways that we use comparative and superlative adjectives later, but this is the main difference to keep in mind between these two types of adjectives.

Comparative adjective

Let’s first take a look at examples of comparative adjectives and how we use them in sentences.

List of comparative adjectives

As long as it makes sense to compare a certain quality, almost any positive form adjective can become a comparative adjective. Listed below are just some examples of comparative adjectives:

  • angstier, more beautiful, less careful, darker, easier, faster, grumpier, hotter, icier, more jumbled, less knowledgeable, looser, messier, nicer, odder, more pleasing, less questionable, redder, spookier, tinier, uglier, vaster, wobblier, younger, zestier

Examples of comparative adjectives in a sentence

In the following sentences, the comparative adjective is in bold.

  • The weather is cloudier today than it was yesterday.
  • My car is nice, but hers is much nicer.
  • For many students, learning calculus is significantly harder than learning algebra.
  • Ishan is my younger brother.
  • A feather is lighter than a bowling ball.

Learn everything you need to know about comparative adjectives here.

Superlative adjective

Now, let’s look at examples of superlative adjectives and how we use them in sentences.

List of superlative adjectives

Just like comparative adjectives, superlative adjectives can be formed from almost any positive form adjective as long as it makes sense to compare the quality that the adjective is referring to. You can see this is in the following examples that are based on the same positive form adjectives that we used to form comparative adjectives earlier:

  • angstiest, most beautiful, least careful, darkest, easiest, fastest, grumpiest, hottest, iciest, most jumbled, least knowledgeable, loosest, messiest, nicest, oddest, most pleasing, least questionable, reddest, spookiest, tiniest, ugliest, vastest, wobbliest, youngest, zestiest

Examples of superlative adjectives in a sentence

In the following sentences, the superlative adjective is written in bold.

  • When you compare cheetahs, lions, and tigers, the cheetahs are clearly the fastest.
  • Out of the 50 books I own, this one is the longest.
  • In my opinion, George Washington was America’s greatest president.
  • My yard is big, Mike’s is bigger, and Felicia’s is the biggest of the three.
  • I have had a lot of dumb ideas, but my plan to open a shark nursery was by far the dumbest.

Become the best at understanding superlative adjectives by reviewing this article.

Comparative and Superlative adjectives chart

Irregular adjectives

There are some adjectives that act differently when it comes to using them as comparative and superlative adjectives.

Some adjectives can use either the -er or -est ending or the words more/most/less/least. Some examples include the adjectives quiet, narrow, clever, and yellow. When using these adjectives, either method is acceptable but you must not use both at the same time. For example, a motor can be said to be quieter or more quiet but not “more quieter.”

A few adjectives just don’t follow the rules at all. These include the words good, well, bad, old, and far. Listed below are the comparative and superlative forms of these irregular adjectives:

  • good and well  better (comparative) and best (superlative)
  • bad  worse (comparative) and worst (superlative). Sometimes, the words badder and baddest are used as slang or nonstandard comparative and superlative forms of bad.
  • old  For the most part, the words older and oldest are used as the comparative and superlative forms of old. However, some style guides may prefer to use the words elder and eldest when comparing the ages of people. In general speech and writing, though, the words older and oldest are commonly used even when referring to people.
  • far  farther/further (comparative) and farthest/furthest (superlative). Style guides will often state that it is preferred to use farther/farthest when referring to physical distances and further/furthest when referring to figurative distances. However, this distinction is usually ignored in everyday speech and writing, and these words are commonly used interchangeably.

When to use comparative and superlative adjectives?

As stated earlier, the general rule is that we use comparative adjectives to compare two people or things and superlative adjectives to compare more than two peopler things:

  • A husky is larger than a Chihuahua. (comparing two things)
  • The husky was the largest of the 10 dogs at the park. (comparing more than two things)

If something or someone is generally being compared to every other member of their group, we use a superlative adjective:

  • The tower was the largest building that the company ever built.
  • Out of all of the meats, I think pepperoni is the yummiest.

You need to be careful with plural nouns or words/phrases that are collectively referring to a group as a single entity. Even if a word is referring to multiple people or things, we still use a comparative adjective if we are comparing exactly two distinct items, groups, or categories. For example:

  • I think that apples are tastier than oranges. (In this sentence, the words apples and oranges are used to refer to types of fruit. Because we are still comparing exactly two things, we use a comparative adjective.)
  • Alaska is larger than many European countries. (In this sentence, the phrase many European countries is treated as one single collective group. Even though Alaska is being compared to multiple countries, we are still grammatically only comparing two distinct things and so we use a comparative adjective.)

You also need to watch out for sentences that use conjunctions. Often, conjunctions are used to link multiple comparisons together. Even in this case, we often still use a comparative conjunction. For example,

  • Angela is shorter than Bob, Clint, and Hana.

Why do we use a comparative adjective in the above sentence even though we are clearly talking about more than two people? Take a second to read the sentence again and look closely at what it is actually saying. This sentence uses the conjunction and to link three different comparisons together: rather than comparing the four people to each other, we are actually comparing Angela to one other person three times. If we wanted to use a superlative adjective instead, we could rewrite the sentence without using a conjunction so that we compare all four people to each other:

  • Angela is the shortest person out of her circle of friends, which includes herself, Bob, Clint, and Hana.

One last thing to keep in mind is that you might see comparative and superlative adjectives used interchangeably in idiomatic expressions. For example, look at the following two sentences:

  • A hippo is one of the largest animals you will find in the savannah.
  • A hippo is one of the larger animals you will find in the savannah.

Do they sound right to you? Probably! And yet, grammatically, the first is considered a nonstandard use because it isn’t possible for there to be multiple “largest animals.” Either a group of animals is the largest or it isn’t. However, you are likely to see sentences similar to the first example used both in writing and speech. It has the exact same meaning as the second sentence, but it stylistically places a greater emphasis on the size and bulk of a hippo than the second sentence does.

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