Three Degrees of Adjectives

1. The Positive Degree

The positive degree of an adjective makes no comparison.
 A tall building.
 She runs fast.
 This is a beautiful car.
2. The Comparative Degree
The comparative degree compares two people, things, actives or qualities.
 A taller building than this one.
 She runs faster than I do.
 This car is more beautiful than your.
3. The Superlative Degree
The superlative degree compares a person, thing, activity or quality with the group.
 The tallest building in the town.
 She is the fastest runner among the students.
 This is the most beautiful car I have ever seen.
Rules for making comparatives and superlatives
One syllable adjectives.
1. Form the comparative and superlative forms of a one-syllable adjective by adding –er for the comparative form
and –est for the superlative.
Positive Comparative Superlative

tall taller tallest

old older oldest

short shorter shortest

One Syllable Adjectives

2. If the one-syllable adjective ends with an –e, just add –r for the comparative form and –st for the superlative
form.
Positive Comparative Superlative

large larger largest

wise wiser wisest

wide wider widest

One Syllable Adjectives With an -e

3. If the one-syllable adjective ends with a single consonant with a vowel before it, double the consonant and add –
er for the comparative form and double the consonant and add –est for the superlative form.
Positive Comparative Superlative

thin thinner thinnest

big bigger biggest

sad sadder sadest

One Syllable Adjectives With Single Consonant and a Vowel Before it

Two-syllable adjectives
1. With most two-syllable adjectives, you form the comparative with more and the superlative with most.
Positive Comparative Superlative

peaceful more peaceful most peaceful

careless more careless most careless

famous more famous most famous

Two Syllable Adjectives

2. If the two-syllable adjectives ends with –y, change the y to “i” and add –er for the comparative form, and for the
superlative form change the “y” to “i” and add –est.
Positive Comparative Superlative

pretty prettier prettiest

happy happier happiest

angry angrier angriest

Two Syllable Adjectives Ends with -y

3. Two-syllable adjectives ending in –er, -le, or –ow take –er for comparative form and –est to for the superlative
form.
Positive Comparative Superlative

clever cleverer cleverest

narrow narrower narrowest

gentle gentler gentlest

Two Syllable Adjectives Ending in -er, le or ow

Adjectives with three or more syllables.
For adjectives with three syllables or more, you form the comparative with more and the superlative with most.
Positive Comparative Superlative

beautiful more beautiful most beautiful

convenient more convenient most convenient

comfortable more comfortable most comfortable

Three Syllable Adjectives

Exceptions:
Some adjectives have irregular comparative and superlative forms.
Positive Comparative Superlative

Good better best

bad worse worst

many more most

much more most

well better best

far farther farthest/furthest

little less least

Irregular Comparative and Superlative Forms

Note: Two-syllable adjectives that follow two rules. These adjectives can be used with -er and -est and with more
and most.
Positive Comparative Superlative

simple simpler/more simple simplest/most simple

clever cleverer/more clever cleverest/most clever

gentle gentler/more gentle gentlest/most gentle

quiet quieter/more quiet quietest/most quiet

Two Syllable Adjectives Follow Two Rules

Common Mistakes With Comparisons

1. Avoid making a double comparison.
 After dinner, the orchestra began playing a series of more livelier melodies. (Incorrect)
 After dinner, the orchestra began playing a series of more lively melodies. (Correct)
 After dinner, the orchestra began playing a series of livelier melodies. (Correct)
2. Some adjectives are “absolute” and cannot be compared.
“ Absolute” Adjectives: first, last, equal and unique are adjective which cannot be compared.
 This is a unique bike. (Correct)
 This is a unique than your. (Incorrect)
3. Make sure that the items being compared are truly comparable. If not, reword as necessary.
 The tropical fish found in the Caribbean are less colorful and varied than the South Pacific. (Incorrect)
 The tropical fish found in the Caribbean are less colorful and varied than the fish found in the South
Pacific.(Correct)
Now you are an expert in using adjectives and creating interesting comparisons. write your feedback down about
three degrees of adjectives.