Degrees of Comparison are used to show the difference in the quality of a noun. There are three degrees of comparison.
1. The Positive Degree of an adjective is used when we do not make any comparison.
For example:
Rajat is an intelligent boy.
Mamta is a tall girl.
Here, the words intelligent and tall are said to be in the positive degree.
2. The Comparative Degree of an adjective is used when we compare two persons or things.
For example:
Anil is more intelligent than Rajat.
Riya is taller than Mohita.
Here, the words more intelligent and taller are said to be in the comparative degree.
3. The Superlative Degree of an adjective is used when we compare more than two persons or things.
For example:
Sajal is the most intelligent of the three.
Neha is the tallest of the three.
Here, the words most intelligent and tallest are said to be in the superlative degree.
FORMATION OF COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE DEGREES
1. By adding –er and –est to the positive degree.
Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
great | greater | greatest |
high | higher | highest |
low | lower | lowest |
deep | deeper | deepest |
strong | stronger | strongest |
bold | bolder | boldest |
tall | taller | tallest |
rich | richer | richest |
young | younger | youngest |
2. By adding –r and –st to the positive degree ending in –e.
Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
noble | nobler | noblest |
able | abler | ablest |
brave | braver | bravest |
large | larger | largest |
wise | wiser | wisest |
dense | denser | densest |
safe | safer | safest |
3. By changing the last ‘y’ of the positive degree into ‘e’ and adding –er and –est.
Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
lazy | lazier | laziest |
happy | happier | happiest |
dry | drier | driest |
busy | busier | busiest |
pretty | prettier | prettiest |
healthy | healthier | healthiest |
4. By doubling the final (last) consonant of positive degree if preceded by a vowel and then adding –er and –est.
Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
big | bigger | biggest |
hot | hotter | hottest |
thin | thinner | thinnest |
fat | fatter | fattest |
sad | sadder | saddest |
wet | wetter | wettest |
5. By adding more to the positive degree to form the comparative degree and most to form the superlative degree. Remember that these adjectives are usually of two syllables and more than two syllables.
Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
careful | more careful | most careful |
important | more important | most important |
interesting | more interesting | most interesting |
powerful | more powerful | most powerful |
obedient | more obedient | most obedient |
beautiful | more beautiful | most beautiful |
intelligent | more intelligent | most intelligent |
pleasant | more pleasant | most pleasant |
difficult | more difficult | most difficult |
famous | more famous | most famous |
popular | more popular | most popular |
6. By comparing in irregular way.
Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
good | better | best |
bad | worse | worst |
far | farther | farthest |
late | later | latest |
little | less | least |
many, much | more | most |
old | older, elder | oldest, eldest |
Note: Double comparatives and double superlatives are not used.
For example:
36 videos|330 docs|56 tests
|
1. What are the three degrees of comparison in adjectives? | ![]() |
2. How do you form the comparative and superlative degrees of adjectives? | ![]() |
3. Can you provide examples of adjectives that have irregular forms in comparison? | ![]() |
4. When should I use "more" or "most" instead of adding "-er" or "-est"? | ![]() |
5. What is the importance of using the correct degree of comparison in writing? | ![]() |