What is a Degree of Comparison?
We use degrees of comparison to compare one person or one thing with another.
Classification of Degrees of Comparison
Degrees of comparison can be classified as
• Positive Degree
• Comparative Degree
• Superlative Degree
Example:
1. Positive Degree
• John is tall.
Here tall is the positive Degree of Adjective.
2. Comparative Degree
• John is taller than Ram.
Here taller is the comparative Degree of Adjective
3. Superlative Degree:
• John is the tallest.
Here tallest is the superlative Degree of Adjective.
Positive Degree
A degree of comparison which does not denote any comparison is called the positive degree. When we talk about only one person or one thing, we use the positive degree of comparison.
• The honey is sweet.
In this sentence no comparison is made. It just tells about the sweetness of honey. Thus sweet is in positive degree of comparison.
Comparative Degree
Comparative Degree of Adjective is used at the time of comparison between two persons or two things.
Example:
Ram’s cat is sweeter than Hari’s cat.
In the above sentence, the sweetness of both the cats is compared. So whenever there is a comparison between two things or two persons, we use the comparative degree of comparison.
Superlative Degree
The highest degree of quality is the superlative Degree of Comparison. Whenever comparison is made between more than two things or persons, we use the superlative degree of adjective.
Example:
This is the biggest bottle of all.
In the above sentence, biggest shows the highest degree of quality and hence it is the superlative degree of comparison.
Rules of Degrees of Comparison
RULE 1: Add er or est to one syllabic words.
Example:
| POSITIVE | COMPARATIVE | SUPERLATIVE |
| Small | Smaller | Smallest |
| Short | Shorter | Shortest |
Rule 2: When an adjective ends in y, drop the y and change it to i and add er or est.
Example:
| POSITIVE | COMPARATIVE | SUPERLATIVE |
| Busy | Busier | Busiest |
| Crazy | Crazier | Craziest |
Rule 3:When an adjective ends in e, remove the e and add er or est in its place.
Example:
| POSITIVE | COMPARATIVE | SUPERLATIVE |
| Cute | Cuter | Cutest |
| Nice | Nicer | Nicest |
Rule 4: For adjectives ending in -ful, -less, -ing use more or most before the word. For two syllabic adjective also use more and most.
Example:
| POSITIVE | COMPARATIVE | SUPERLATIVE |
| Beautiful | More beautiful | Most Beautiful |
| Pleasant | More pleasant | Most pleasant |
Rule 5:There are some adjective which are known as irregular adjectives as they don’t follow any rules.
Example:
| POSITIVE | COMPARATIVE | SUPERLATIVE |
| Good | Better | Best |
| Little | Less | Least |
Use of the Degrees of Comparison
Example:
Sarah is as beautiful as Samantha.
By using ‘as….as’ we can show positive degree.
Example:
Raja is taller than Rahim.
By using ‘than’ we can show comparative degree of adjective.
Example:
He is the nicest boy in the class.
With the use of ‘the’ the superlative comparison can be denoted.
Want to know more about “Degrees of Comparisons?” Click here to schedule live online session with e Tutor!
About eAge Tutoring:
eAgeTutor.com is the premium online tutoring provider. Using materials developed by highly qualified educators and leading content developers, a team of top-notch software experts, and a group of passionate educators, eAgeTutor works to ensure the success and satisfaction of all of its students.
Contact us today to learn more about our tutoring programs and discuss how we can help make the dreams of the student in your life come true!
Reference Links:
- http://www.learnenglish.be/gr2_degrees_study.htm
- http://www.esldesk.com/grammar/adjectives
- http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic9117.html
- http://www.weblearneng.com/the-degrees-of-comparison