Honest comparative and superlative. Comparisons of English adjectives

Adjective [ˈadʒɪktɪv] or an adjective in English is a part of speech denoting a sign of an object / person / phenomenon. Perhaps, after the verb and noun, it is the most used of all tenses. According to their meaning, adjectives are divided into relative and qualitative. The latter differ in that they can vary in degree of comparison. The degrees of comparison of adjectives in English are formed according to certain rules, which will be discussed today.

There are three degrees of comparison of adjectives in English. All of them are similar to Russian degrees, and therefore this topic should not be taken lightly. Let's consider each degree separately, having studied the features, education and methods of use.

Positive degree [ˈpɒzɪtɪv dɪˈɡriː] or positive degree is the easiest. English has made your task easier, and therefore you do not need to form this degree. You just need to take an English adjective in its simple dictionary form and use the word in a sentence. Since when we use an adjective in this form we are not comparing it to anything, the positive degree is often treated separately, outside the topic of comparison. In any case, you need to know about it. Examples of a positive degree:

But for comparison, comparative and superlative degrees are used. In these degrees, there are more nuances that need to be analyzed in more detail.

Comparative degree of adjectives in English

Comparative degree or comparative degree is used to compare the characteristics / attributes of two or more objects and persons. Perhaps such an explanation did not clarify anything for you, but this topic is characteristic of both English and Russian, so if you compare this form with the Russian comparative degree, everything will become much clearer:

We are sure that you no longer have questions about what a comparative degree is. But how to form this degree in English? For this, two comparative forms are used:

1. If the word consists of one or two syllables, it has the ending -er in the comparative degree:

However, when adding -er, there are certain nuances to consider:

• If the adjective ends in -e, that letter is omitted:

• But the ending -y changes to -i:

Exceptions are words that have a vowel before -y:

1. If the adjective consists of three syllables or more, the degree is formed by adding the words more (more) and less (less):

Comparisons of adjectives in English - superlative adjectives

Superlative degree or superlative form in English is used to show that some object or person in comparison with others is “the very best”, that is, it surpasses all others. The superlative form is also compared with Russian adjectives in the same degree. For example:

There are also two options for the formation of this form of the adjective. Each of them is preceded by a definite one, since adjectives in the superlative degree imply some specific, special object or person:

1. The ending -est is added to an adjective with one or two syllables:

Please note that the rules for attaching an ending work with this form as well.

1. If the adjective has 3 or more syllables, then the words (the) most (most / most) and (the) least (least) are attached to it:

Despite the rules, some two-syllable adjectives in comparative and superlative forms, however, can be formed with both -er / -est and more - less / most - least. For example, they include words such as:

Preference is now increasingly given to the forms more / less and most / least.

There are also three-syllable exception adjectives that form degrees with -er and -est. These include words that, with the help of prefixes, change the original meaning of a short adjective to the opposite. For example, adjectives: happy (happy) - unhappy (unhappy), tidy (tidy) - untidy (unkempt), kind (kind) - unkind (unkind), lucky (lucky) - unlucky (unsuccessful), safe (reliable) - unsafe (unreliable):

In addition, there are exception words, all 3 forms of which are significantly different from each other and do not obey standard education, just like English irregular verbs. Such words of the English language just need to be remembered. Study them according to the table:

Compound adjectives in English that contain the above exceptions can be built in both ways:

The first option, however, is more preferable.

In other cases, compound adjectives use the second way of forming comparative and superlative degrees:

The use of the degree of comparison of adjectives in English

We talked about the rules for the formation of degrees, it remains only to understand how to use these adjectives in sentences.

• When using English comparative adjectives in a sentence, the conjunction than (than) is used to introduce a comparison. Examples:

To the sentence, or rather to the word more, you can add the adverb rather. Rather more is usually used for comparison in the sense of "better..., not..." or "better... than...":

Sometimes the subject being compared can be omitted if the context implies it, or if the speaker knows that the interlocutor will understand him. Suggestions as examples:

If you want to emphasize that the first person / object is much (much) better, more beautiful, and so on, the sentence should contain the word much, which is placed before the degree:

Study the following table for examples:

The comparative degree is also used in three constructions:

1. The comparative degree, the comparative degree. In simple terms, this construction is similar to the sentences “what ..., so ...”. Table with examples for clarity:

1. More positive power than positive power. An analogue is the phrase "rather ... than." Such a construction is possible when we compare the characteristics of the same object/person.

1. You can also use "more than" in a row without adding words between them. This construction has the meaning of "more than". These two words can be followed by an adjective and/or a noun, both of which are valid:

• For the superlative degree, no additional conjunctions need to be used. Such adjectives in a sentence are used as standard instead of a positive degree:

As in Russian, in such sentences, the option is not “the most”, but “one of the most”:

In one sentence, two degrees of comparison can fit at once:

Today we examined the features of the degrees of comparison of adjectives in English. Having memorized the rules for their formation, you can use these degrees in speech without any difficulty. In order to consolidate the material, return to the article, review the tables with examples and make up your own sentences. And most importantly - study English with pleasure, because if you are interested in the process, English grammar will be given to you much faster and easier.

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Adjectives form, as in Russian, two degrees of comparison: comparative(the Comparative Degree) and excellent(the Superlative Degree). The basic form of the adjective does not express comparison and is called positive degree (the Positive Degree):
Matthew is a young man. Matthew is a young man.(young is a positive degree)
Matthew is younger than Pete. – Matthew is younger than Pete.(younger - comparative degree)
Matthew is the youngest man in the group.Matthew is the youngest person in the group.(youngest - superlative)

The superlative degree is always preceded by the definite article. the:
This product is of the best quality. - This product is of the best quality.

Formation of degrees of comparison of adjectives

Adjectives are monosyllabic(consisting of one syllable: long) and polysyllabic(consisting of two or more syllables: sunny, grateful).

Monosyllabic adjectives

-er
Superlatives:-est:

For details of adding suffixes, see .

Disyllabicadjectives ending in-y (y changes to i) , -er, -ow, -ble
Comparative: positive adjective + suffix -er
Superlatives:positive adjective + suffix-est:

Peculiarities For adding suffixes, see .

Polysyllabicadjectives (2 syllables or more)

Exceptions:

a) some two-syllable adjectives polite, severe, sincere, simple, common. They form degrees of comparison with suffixes. -er, -est:

b) monosyllabic adjectives right, wrong, real. They form degrees of comparison with the help of words more and the most:

c) adjectives that form degrees of comparison from another root:

Notes:

1. Word less translated in two ways:
a) less - if it is a comparative degree from few
b) smaller - small:
There are less pupils in our group than in yours. There are fewer students in our group than in yours.
My doll is smaller than yours. My doll is smaller than yours.

2. Word more corresponds in English:
a) more if it is a comparative degree of a lot of
b) bigger or larger - if it is a comparative degree of big:
There are more pupils in our group than in yours. There are more students in our group than in yours..
My doll is larger than yours. My doll is bigger than yours.

3. a) Farther, farthest and further, furthest both are used to indicate distance:
The farthest (furthest) shop is on the St. Louis street. The farthest store is on St. Louis Street.
b) Further also matters further, additional:
Now you know my further actions. Now you know my next steps.

Monosyllabic adjectives and adverbs form comparative and superlative degrees of comparison by adding suffixes - er and - est.

If monosyllabic adjectives and adverbs end in one consonant letter preceded by one vowel, then before suffixes - er and - est the final consonant is doubled. However, the final letter w' is not doubled.

If monosyllabic adjectives and adverbs end in the silent letter " e", this vowel drops out before the suffixes - er and - est.

• cut e → cute r → the cute st
• pal e → pale r → the pale st
• lat e → late r → the late st

If monosyllabic adjectives and adverbs end in a vowel - y preceded by a consonant, y changes to - i before suffixes - er and - est. But the final vowel y does not change if it is preceded by another vowel.

Two-syllable adjectives with -ow, -le, -er, -y

Two-syllable adjectives that end in suffixes - ow, -le, -er, -y, can form comparative and superlative degrees both with the help of suffixes - er and - est, and with the help of words more(more) and the most(most). The choice depends on the preference of the speaker, however, the form with the suffix - er and - est occurs more often with short words.

• crazy → crazy er → the craziest
• crazy → more crazy →the most crazy

• pretty → pretty er → the prettiest
• pretty → more pretty →the most pretty

adjectives quiet(quiet) and simple(simple) can form comparative and superlative degrees both with the help of suffixes - er and - est, and with the help of words more(more) and the most(most).

• quiet-quiet er → the quietest
• quiet → more quiet → the most quiet

• simple → simple er → the simplest
• simple → more simple → the most simple

• narrow → narrow er → the narrowest
• narrow → more narrow →the most narrow

More and most

Disyllabic and trisyllabic adjectives and adverbs (mostly with the -ly suffix) form degrees of comparison using words more(more) and the most(most).

• useful → more useful → the most useful
• stupid → more stupid → the most stupid
• curious → more curious → the most curious
• impressive → more impressive → the most impressive

• often → more often → the most often
• wisely → more wisely → the most wisely
• comfortable → more comfortable → the most comfortable
• independently → more independently → the most independently

More and most also used to form degrees of comparison for adjectives that are formed from participles, regardless of the number of syllables that make up the adjective.

• tired → more tired → the most tired
• hurt → more hurt → the most hurt
• caring → more caring → the most caring
• worrying → more worrying → the most worrying
• annoyed → more annoyed → the most annoyed

Exceptions

Adverbs early(early) and loudly(loudly) form degrees of comparison only with the help of suffixes - er and - est.

• early → early ier → early
• loudly → loudl ier → the loudest

Adverbs quickly(fast) and slowly(slow) can have two different forms of degrees of comparison.

• quickly → quickly er → the quickest
• quickly → more quickly → the most quickly

• slowly → slowly er → the slowest
• slowly → more slowly → the most slowly

Diminutives

Articles in degrees of comparison

• You should drive the fastest you can because we are already late. You should drive as fast as you can because we're already late.
• Use this information most wisely.“Use this information in the wisest way possible.

Definite article the can also be omitted before adjectives if they come after the verb to be or other linking verbs and is not followed by a noun or phrase that defines the adjective.

• This man is (the) most powerful as he controls all banks in our country.- This person is the most influential, since he controls all the banks in our country.
• Kate is (the) cut est when she wears this dress. Kate is the cutest when she wears this dress.

Word most is not always an indicator of the superlative degree of adjectives and may be synonymous with the word very in meaning " extremely», « very», « extremely". In this case before most can stand and certain the, and the indefinite article a / an, or they may be absent before plural nouns. In this meaning most can be used with all adjectives including monosyllabic ones.

• I am most happy to see you again.“I am extremely glad to see you again.
• These kids are most clever children. These guys are really smart kids.
• You are right, Marry is the most beautiful woman.– You are right: Mary is a very, very beautiful woman.

There are three degrees of comparison of adjectives: positive (tall), comparative (taller) and excellent (the tallest).

Depending on the methods of formation of degrees of comparison, three groups of adjectives are distinguished.

1st group:

1. One-syllable adjectives (low, nice, hot)

They add an ending er in the second degree (comparative) and the ending est in the third degree (superlative). Moreover, the last consonant is doubled (big - bigger - the biggest).

2. Two-syllable adjectives in -y, -ow, -le, -er (pretty, friendly,clever). Comparative and superlative degrees of comparison are formed in the same way as for monosyllabic adjectives. It is worth paying attention to the fact that the English letter y at the end of the word changes to i (friendly - friendlier - the friendliest).

2nd group: all other disyllabic and polysyllabic adjectives form degrees of comparison using the words more and the most. No endings are added to adjectives.

modern - more modern - the most modern

beautiful - more beautiful - the most beautiful

3rd group: special cases where adjectives have different words forexpressions of degrees of comparison or exclusion !!!

good - better - the best

bad - worse - the worst

We all want to have the best, in any case, not the worst, as a result of which we always compare everything with our own standard of quality. Therefore, we constantly use degrees of comparison in English and not only. Degrees of comparison in English have and .

Degrees of comparison in English. Adjective

The adjective in English has two degrees of comparison (some grammarians distinguish three).

1. Positive ( the Positive Degree). Indicates the quality of an item, without comparing that quality.
   

   This car is old. - This car is old.

2. Comparative ( the Comparative Degree). Used to compare the quality of two or more items.
   

   This car is older than that car. This car is older than that car.

3. Excellent ( the Superlative Degree). Used to express the highest degree of quality.
   

   This is the oldest car I have ever seen. - It's the oldest car I've ever seen.

Comparative degree of one-syllable adjectives, some two-syllable adjectives and adjectives ending in y formed by adding the suffix - er to a positive degree.

• cold(cold) - colder(colder)
• noisy(noisy) - noisier(more noisy)

The superlative degree of the above adjectives is formed by adding the suffix - est, and is used with .

• cold(cold) - the coldest(the coldest)
• noisy(noisy) - the noisiest(noisiest)

If an adjective ends in a consonant preceded by one vowel, then in the comparative and superlative degrees of comparison in English, the final consonant is doubled.

• big(big) - bigger(more) - the biggest(the biggest)

If the adjective ends with a letter y preceded by a consonant, then in a comparative and superlative degree y changes to i.

• pretty(cute) - prettier(cuter) - the prettiest(the cutest)

If before y stands for a vowel, then y remains unchanged

• gray(grey) - greyer(more grey) - the greyest(greyest)

Most adjectives that have two or more syllables form the comparative degree with the help of the word more most. The adjective itself remains in the positive degree.

• Difficult(difficult) - more difficult(more difficult) - the most difficult(the most difficult)

There is a group of adjectives that form degrees of comparison not according to the rules.

• good(good) - better(better) - the best(the best)
• little(small) - less(less) - the least(least)
• bad(bad) - worse(worse) - the worst(worst, worst)
• much(many innumerable) - many(many enum.) - more(more) - the most(most)

To strengthen the comparative degree, words are used much, far, a great deal.

This film is far more interesting than that one. This movie is much more interesting than that one.

Words are used to enhance the superlative degree. by far, much.

He is by far the best student in his group. - He is the most excellent student in his group.

When comparing two objects of the same quality, use the construction as as.

This skirt is as expensive as yours. - This skirt is as expensive as yours.

In negative sentences, the construction performs the same function not so+ positive adjective + as.

This car is not so new as that one. This car is not as new as that one.

Degrees of comparison in English. Adverb

Many adverbs have degrees of comparison and form them like adjectives.

The comparative degree of monosyllabic adverbs is formed by adding the suffix - er, to a positive degree, and superlative by adding the suffix - est.

• fast(fast) - faster(faster) - fastest(fastest)

Adverbs ending in ly form a comparative degree using the word more, but excellent with the help of the word most.

• bravely(bravely) - more bravely(more bravely) - most bravely(bravest of all)

Exceptions are:

• well(Good) - better(better) - best(the best thing)
• badly(poorly) - worse(worse) - worst(worst)
• much(a lot of) - more(more) - most(most)
• little(few) - less(less) - least(least of all)
• far(long away) - further(farther) - furthest(furthest)

These are the basic rules for the formation of degrees of comparison in English.

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