Degree of comparison

 

1. Degrees of Comparison

Adjectives and adverbs can show the level or extent of a quality.
There are three degrees:

1. Positive Degree – shows the quality in its simple form.
   No comparison is made.
   Example:
   

• This flower is beautiful.

• He runs fast.

• For equality, use:

• as + positive degree + as → She is as tall as her friend.

• not as/so + positive degree + as → He is not as/so tall as me.

2. Comparative Degree – shows a higher or lower degree of quality by comparing two people or things.
   Example:
   

• This flower is more beautiful than that one.

• He runs faster than his brother.

3. Superlative Degree – shows the highest or lowest degree of a quality, comparing more than two people or things.
   Example:
   

• This is the most beautiful flower in the garden.

• He is the fastest runner in the school.

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2. Formation Rules

A. For short adjectives (usually 1–2 syllables)

• Positive → Comparative → Superlative
  

• Add -er for comparative, -est for superlative.
  Example:

• tall → taller → tallest

• small → smaller → smallest

• If the adjective ends in -e, just add -r or -st.
  Example:
  

• nice → nicer → nicest

• If the adjective ends in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel, double the consonant before adding -er/-est.
  Example:
  

• big → bigger → biggest

• hot → hotter → hottest

• If the adjective ends in -y (with a consonant before it), change y → i and add -er/-est.
  Example:
  

• happy → happier → happiest

• easy → easier → easiest

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B. For longer adjectives (usually 2+ syllables)

• Use more/most for increasing degree.
  Example:

• beautiful → more beautiful → most beautiful

• interesting → more interesting → most interesting

C. Irregular forms

Some adjectives change completely:

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
good	better	best
bad	worse	worst
far	farther/further	farthest/furthest
little	less	least
many/much	more	most

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3. Rules of Usage

1. Use "than" after the comparative degree.

• She is smarter than her brother.

2. Use "the" before the superlative degree.

• He is the fastest runner in the class.

3. Avoid double comparatives or superlatives.
   ❌ more better → ✅ better
   ❌ most easiest → ✅ easiest
   

4. For equality, use:

• as + positive degree + as → She is as tall as her friend.

• not as/so + positive degree + as → He is not as/so tall as me.

5. When comparing two persons/things, use comparative.
   

• Between Ram and Shyam, Ram is taller.

6. When comparing more than two, use superlative.
   

• Among all players, Virat is the best.

📊 Degrees of Comparison – Quick Revision Chart

Degree	Definition	Rule / Formation	Example Sentences
Positive Degree 🟢	Shows a quality without comparing.	Base form of adjective/adverb.	This book is interesting. She sings sweetly.
Comparative Degree 🟡	Compares two people/things.	Short adjectives: add -er Long adjectives: use more/less Use than.	This book is better than that one. She runs faster than her sister.
Superlative Degree 🔴	Compares more than two, showing the highest degree.	Short adjectives: add -est Long adjectives: use most/least Use the before superlative.	This is the best book in the library. She is the fastest runner in the class.

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📌 Formation Rules

A. Short adjectives (1–2 syllables)

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
tall	taller	tallest
small	smaller	smallest
nice	nicer	nicest
big	bigger	biggest
happy	happier	happiest

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B. Long adjectives (2+ syllables)

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
beautiful	more beautiful	most beautiful
interesting	more interesting	most interesting
expensive	more expensive	most expensive

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C. Irregular Forms

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
good	better	best
bad	worse	worst
far	farther/further	farthest/furthest
little	less	least
many/much	more	most

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📜 Usage Rules

1. Comparative + than → He is smarter than his friend.

2. The + superlative → She is the tallest girl here.

3. No double comparatives → ❌ more better → ✅ better.

4. Equality → as + Positive + as → He is as tall as me.

5. Not equal → not as/so + Positive + as → He is not as tall as me.

6. Two things → comparative, more than two → superlative.