DEGREES OF COMPARISION

DEGREES OF COMPARISON

In the vast landscape of language, degrees of comparison act as bridges, allowing us to compare qualities between nouns or adjectives.

• Positive degree: This is the first rung, describing something without comparing it. (e.g., This cake is sweet.)
• Comparative degree: Climb one rung to compare two things using "er" for one-syllable adjectives or "more/less" for others. (e.g., This cake is sweeter than the other one.)
• Superlative degree: Reach the top rung to compare three or more things, using "est" or "most/least". (e.g., This cake is the sweetest of all.)
• One-syllable adjectives: Add "er" for the comparative and "est" for the superlative. (e.g., big-bigger-biggest, fast-faster-fastest)
• Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y: Change the "y" to "ier" and "iest" for comparative and superlative, respectively. (e.g., happy-happier-happiest, funny-funnier-funniest)
• Most two-syllable and longer adjectives: Use "more/less" for the comparative and "most/least" for the superlative. (e.g., important-more important-most important, delicious-less delicious-least delicious)
• Irregular adjectives: Have unique forms for each degree (e.g., good-better-best, bad-worse-worst, far-further-farthest)

Examples

• The older brother gave advice to the younger one. (Comparative)
• Of all the athletes, she was the fastest runner. (Superlative)
• The lecture was more informative than the previous one. (Formal comparative)
• This city is the least polluted in the region. (Superlative with "least")