There are three degrees of comparison:
1. The Positive Degree
2. The Comparative Degree
3. The Superlative Degree
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.
Remember these points
1. The positive degree of an adjective is the adjective itself in its simple (original) form. It is used to denote the mere existence of a quality we speak of.
2. The comparative degree of an adjective denotes a higher degree of quality than the positive degree.
3. The superlative degree of an adjective denotes the highest degree of the quality.
4. The comparative degree is generally followed by the word than and the superlative degree is preceded by the and followed by of.
5. Adjectives like superior, inferior, senior, junior are followed by to.
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:
Incorrect : He is more taller than his brother.
Correct : He is taller than his brother.
Incorrect : He is the most best boy in the class.
Correct : He is the best boy in the class.
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1. What are the principles of comparison of adjectives in Class 8? |
2. How do you form the comparative degree of adjectives in Class 8? |
3. What is the rule for forming the superlative degree of adjectives in Class 8? |
4. Can you give examples of comparative and superlative forms of adjectives in Class 8? |
5. How do you use comparison of adjectives in sentences? |
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