DEGREES

F
COMPARISON

WHAT IS AN ADJECTIVE?
modifies a noun or a pronoun by describing, identifying, or quantifying words. usually precedes the noun or the pronoun which it modifies.

ANGAO, SR. ROSALYN

ANGAO, SR. ROSALYN

ADJECTIVE HAS 3 DEGREES OF COMPARISON

1.

Positive Degree
ANGAO, SR. ROSALYN

- is used when simply describing persons or

things. Example:
The crocodile is a big animal.

2.

Comparative Degree

- is used when comparing

ANGAO, SR. ROSALYN

two person or things.

Example:
Rhinoceros is bigger than the crocodile.

 Adjectives

ending on 'e' just add r

Example:
ANGAO, SR. ROSALYN

nice + r = nicer
late + r = later wise + r = wiser

 With

one or two syllables is formed by

adding r or er

Example:
tall + er = taller

ANGAO, SR. ROSALYN

small + er = smaller
old + er = older

 With

two or more syllables ending in -ful, less, -ing, -ed is formed by adding more before the adjective more + beautiful
more + expensive
ANGAO, SR. ROSALYN

more + successful
Example: Anna is more beautiful than Elsa.

 Note

that the word than follows the

ANGAO, SR. ROSALYN

comparative form.

Example:
Anna is more beautiful than Elsa.

 Adjectives

ending in 'y, change y to i then add -er happy happ + i + er lovely lovel + i + er tiny tin + i + er

ANGAO, SR. ROSALYN

Example:

Joy is happier today than yesterday.

3.

Superlative Degree - is used when comparing three or more persons or things.

ANGAO, SR. ROSALYN

Example: The elephant is the biggest animal in the jungle.

 With

one or two syllables adjectives

ending on 'e' is formed by adding st

Example:
nice + st = nicest

ANGAO, SR. ROSALYN

late + st = latest
wise + st= wisest

 With

two or more syllables ending in -ful, less, -ing, -ed is formed by adding most before the adjective most + beautiful
most + expensive
ANGAO, SR. ROSALYN

most + successful
Example:

Anna is the most beautiful among the

daughters of the king.

 Note

that some of the sentences

ANGAO, SR. ROSALYN

has either of the words among or of all to show its superlative degree.

Example: Anna is the most beautiful among the daughters of the king.

 Adjectives

ending in 'y, change y to i then add -est happy happ + i + est lovely lovel + i + est tiny tin + i + est

ANGAO, SR. ROSALYN

Example:

Joy is happiest person in the world.

 Irregular

adjectives - those adjectives that totally change its spelling. Examples:

Positive good (well) bad many/much Comparative better worse more Superlative best worst most

ANGAO, SR. ROSALYN

References: 1. Jacobo, Martha E. English: Grammar Usage and Fundamentals. Philippine Book Company (Manila, Philippines) 2. Olson, Miles and Kuykendall, Carol (1982) Composition and Applied Grammar: The Writing Process. Allyn and Bacon, Inc. (United States of America) 3. http://tx.english-ch.com/teacher/angelyn/levela/three-degree-of-comparison-ofadjectives/_accessed_on_01-18-2014 4. http://www.learnenglish.be/gr2_degrees_study.h tm_accessed_on_01-18-2014

ANGAO, SR. ROSALYN