Degrees of Comparison Section - IV Comparison of adjectives Among languages that allow adjectives to be compared, different means are used to indicate comparison. Some languages do not distinguish between comparative and superlative forms. In many languages, some adjectives are comparable. For example, a person may be "polite", but another person may be "more polite", and a third person may be the "most polite" of the three. The word "more" here modifies the adjective "polite" to indicate a comparison is being made, and "most" modifies the adjective to indicate an absolute comparison (a superlative). The Degrees of Comparison are three in number- (1) the Positive, (2) the Comparative, and (3) the Superlative. Comparative and superlative forms are also occasionally used for other purposes than comparison. In English comparatives can be used to suggest that a statement is only tentative or tendential: one might say "John is more the shy-and-retiring type," where the comparative "more" is not really comparing him with other people or with other impressions of him, but rather, could be substituting for "on the whole". In Italian, superlatives are frequently used to put strong emphasis on an adjective: Bellissimo means "most beautiful", but is in fact more commonly heard in the sense "extremely beautiful. Likewise "extinct" and "equal" appear to be non-comparable, but one might say that a language about which nothing is known is "more extinct" than a well-documented language with surviving literature but no speakers, while George Orwell wrote "All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others". These cases may be viewed as evidence that the base forms of these adjectives are not as absolute in their semantics as is usually thought. Such adjectives are called non-comparable or absolute. Nevertheless, native speakers will frequently play with the raised forms of adjectives of this sort. Although "pregnant" is logically non-comparable (either one is pregnant or not), one may hear a sentence like "She looks more and more pregnant each day". There are five words which are Adverbs in the Positive Degree, but Adjectives in the Comparative and Superlative:- Fore (movement) further furthest In inner innermost, inmost Out outer, utter uttermost, utmost Be-neath nether nethermost Up upper uppermost
Latin Comparatives. All of these end in ior and not in er: and all are followed by to instead of than. Superior, inferior, anterior, prior, posterior, senior, junior. His strength is superior to His strength is inferior to This event was anterior to This event was prior to This event was posterior to This man is senior to This man is junior to (greater than) mine. (less than) mine. (earlier than) that. (later than) that. (older than) that. (younger than) that. The Positive denotes the simple quality, as, a beautiful picture. If the Positive ends in one consonant, and the consonant is preceded by a short vowel, the final consonant is doubled when er and est are added:- Fat fatter fattest Hot hotter hottest Thin thinner thinnest Wet wetter wettest If the Positive ends in e, only r and st are added, and not er and est:- Brave braver bravest Fine finer finest Humble humbler humblest Noble nobler noblest True truer truest If the Positive ends in y, and the y is preceded by a consonant, the y is changed into i when er and est are added:- Dry drier driest Happy happier happiest If the y is preceded by a vowel, the y is not changed into i:- Gay gayer gayest Grey greyer greyest The Comparative denotes a higher degree of the quality; as, a more beautiful picture. This is used when two things of the same class are compared. Comparatives are followed by than.
In all Adjectives of more than two syllables, and in most Adjectives of two syllables, the Comparative is formed by adding more and the Superlative by adding most. Positive Comparative Superlative Beautiful more beautiful most beautiful Famous more famous most famous Useful more useful most useful But Adjectives of one syllable and some Adjectives of two syllables can also form the Comparative by adding er or r, and the Superlative by adding est or st:- (a) If the Positive ends in two consonants, or in a single consonant preceded by two vowels, er and est are added:- Deep deeper deepest Great greater greatest Small smaller smallest Thick thicker thickest In English, many adjectives can take the suffixes "-er" and "-est" (sometimes requiring additional letters before the suffix; see forms for far below) to indicate the comparative and superlative forms, respectively: "great", "greater", "greatest "deep, "deeper", "deepest Some adjectives are irregular in this sense: "good", "better", "best "bad", "worse", "worst "many", "more", "most" (sometimes regarded as an adverb or determiner) "little", "less", "least Some adjectives can have both regular and irregular variations: "old", "older", "oldest "far", "farther", "farthest fore, former, foremost, first hind, hinder, hindmost late, later, latter, latest, last little, less, least much (quantity), more, most
many (number), more, most nigh, higher, highest, next also "old", "elder", "eldest "far", "further", "furthest" Many adjectives do not naturally lend themselves to comparison. For example, some English speakers would argue that it does not make sense to say that one thing is "more ultimate" than another, or that something is "most ultimate", since the word "ultimate" is already absolute in its semantics.
Rules of Adjectives POSITIVE DEGREE Comparison of equality When equality or similarity is shown through comparison between two persons, things or qualities, we use the pattern For example, as+adjective+as This book is as useful as the other one. Comparison of inequality When inequality or dissimilarity through comparison is shown between two persons, things, or qualities, we follow the following two pattens- For example, Not as+adjective+as or not so + adjective + as I was not so tired as my brother. Note: If we wish to lay more emphasis on inequality we can use quite before so. For example, Ram is not quite as tall as Shyam. Concealed comparison In some sentences comparison is not explicit (showing) but concealed in its sense. In such sentences we use- not all that + adjectives For Example, He is not all that trustworthy.
Comparison of actions (verb) In positive degree two actions can be compared in the following ways:- I. By using Gerund. e.g. Walking is as difficult as running. II. By using infinitive. e.g. It is as difficult to walk as run. In this construction it should be remembered that the first infinitive is used better/had sooner. III. By using had better/had rather/had sooner. e.g. They had better pay the penalty. In this construction infinitive is used twice, and each time without to. This is the correct pattern.
COMPARATIVE DEGREE Comparison between two Comparative degree adjective is used for comparison between two persons, things or qualities, not for more than two. e.g. Ram is smarter than Mohan. Comparison of number/quantity Another error is often committed in the comparisons of number and quantity. It should be remembered that fewer is used for number, and less for quantity. Fewer is always followed by countable plural noun and less by countable singular noun. But more can be used both for number and quantity. e.g. He eats less butter than sugar. Never use fewer in place of less, or less in place of fewer. e.g. I have less pens than pencils. (wrong) Comparatively + Positive degree If an adjective (or an adverb) has comparatively before it, the adjective (or adverb) should be used in the positive degree, not in the comparative degree. e.g. Your problem is comparatively easy Parallel/Gradual increase or decrease Some sentences are so constructed that its comparative degree adjective is split up and used in the two parts of the sentence as a balance. e.g. The harder a man labours, the better returns he get. In some sentences the same comparative adjective is repeated one after the other. The form of such sentences is as follows.
e.g. He is working harder and harder. Emphatic comparatives Emphatic Comparative can be used in the following three ways. By using much/far/by far/still before the comparative degree (but not by using very). e.g. This book is still better By using rather e.g. This book is rather cheaper By using all the. e.g. This is all the better for me
1. The + superlative SUPERLATIVE DEGREE Article the must be used before a superlative degree adjective e.g. - This is the longest chapter in my book. Note:- But if some possessive adjective (my, our, your, his, her, their) or possessive case (noun + s) has come before the superlative, we don t use the article the. e.g. (i) This is my mostfavourite fish. (ii) This is Ram s highest ambition 2. Three of more nouns Superlative adjective is used for comparison amongst at least three or more things or persons. e.g. - She is the tallest of the three (or more) sisters. 3. Superlative + of/in Preposition of or in is used to show comparison amongst three or more persons or things. e.g. He is the most scholarly of all teachers. Remember that of is used with most of the superlative adjectives, but with the superlatives showing place we use in instead of of. For e.g. in the class, in the town etc. 4. Superlative + one of/among When one of or among is used with a superlative, the noun coming after it must be of plural number. e.g. Rachna is one of the best girls in the class. 5. Superlative and other We don t use other with a superlative degree adjective. (It may be remembered that with a comparative degree adjective other is used when the comparison is within the same class or category, but it is not so with a superlative adjective). e.g. He is the ablest of all candidates. 6. One of. If not/superlative In some sentences superlative is used twice once with one of the and again with if (not the). In such sentences plural noun comes after one of the + superlative, and singular noun after if not the + superlative.
e.g. Ram is one of the most mischievous boys, if not the most mischievous in the class. Note: In such sentences the singular noun coming after if not the + superlative is often concealed. 7. Emphatic superlative In order to give additional emphasis to a superlative adjective, we can use by far the/much the/the very/out of the. e.g. Jaipur is by far the most beautiful city. This is the very best institute. 8. Adjectives of the same degree If the same noun is qualified by two or more than two adjectives, all these adjectives must be of the same degree. e.g. I have the best and cheapest purse. 9. Non-degradable adjectives The undernoted adjectives are already of superlative. They cannot be used as comparative degree adjectives, nor can the emphasizing expressions such as very/extremely/highly/much can be used with them. These adjectives are- Unique, perfect, matchless, excellent, ideal, absolute, universal, impossible, entire, whole, full, complete, round, extreme, eternal, chief. E.g. He is an ideal leader. This plan is perfect. Note: However these days full and perfect are being used in comparative and superlative degrees also. Now we can use full, fuller, and fullest, or perfect, more perfect or most perfect. This use is coming into fashion now-a-days.
e.g. I have the fullest sympathy with you. 10. Like best/like most Both these uses are correct. e.g. Which of these books do you like most? Which of these books do you like best? 11. Kind and sort Kind and sort are of singular number. Therefore, this or that should be used with them, notthese or those. e.g. I don t like this/ that sort of men. Note: These/Those sort or these/those kind are wrong expressions, though some authors have been using them. 12. Adjectives/Adverb Sometimes adjectives are used with verbs also, but in that case the adjectives qualify the subject of the verb. e.g. The ship appeared suddenly (not sudden) 13. Adjective used as nouns Sometimes adjectives are used as nouns in the following cases. (a) Represent a class of people Sometimes a particular class of people in the plural number can be represented by an adjective preceded by the definite article the. e.g. The humble are blessed. (b) As a singular noun representing some abstract quality e.g. Keats was the poet of the beautiful. (c) Adjectives actually becoming nouns 1. Proper nouns Canadians, Africans, Asians, Italians
2. Denoting persons Juniors, Seniors, elders, nobles, inferiors, superiors, criminals, savages. 3. In plural number only sweets, valuables, eatables. (d) In some phrases For good, at best, black and white, through thick and thin, for better/for worse/worst, before long, in short, from bad to worse, the long and short. e.g. Nothing worse can happen. I am prepared for the worst. Comparison Adjective Adjective is a word and it qualifies a noun. It gives more information about the noun. e.g. The lion is a strong animal. Rita is a beautiful girl. Adjectives are of three degrees. (1) Positive (2) Comparative (3) Superlative e.g. David is a rich man. e.g. Cancel is more dreadful than cholera. e.g. Mount Everest is the highest peak in the world. Comparison. (Clauses generally introduced by as or than.) i) Manner He acted as I expected. ii) Degree It is not as good as I expected. He is older than I am. NOTE A clause of comparison is sometimes suppressed after as or than, so that we have two conjunctions together; e.g. as if, than that, than when, in the following sentences: He spoke as if he were ashamed (=as he would have spoken if ). I desire nothing more than that the matter be foregotten (=than I desire that.). He looks better than when I saw him last (=than he did when.). Study the following models. Positive Comparative Superlative Very few boys in the class are astall as John. John is taller than any other boys in the class. John is taller than most other boys in the class. John is the tallest boy in the class. John is one of the tallest boy in the class.
Adjective and Adverbs have three degrees, Positive, Comparative and Superlative. Positive Degree The Positive Degree of an adjective in comparison is the adjective in its simple form. It is used to denote the mere existence of some quality of what we speak about. It is used when no comparison is made. It is a tall building. Apple is sweet to taste. Comparative Degree The Comparative Degree denotes the existence of a higher degree of the quality than the positive. It is used when two things (or two sets of things) are compared. This building is taller than any other building. Apple is sweeter than pear. Superlative Degree The Superlative Degree denotes the existence of the highest degree of the quality. It is used when more than two things are compared. This is the tallest building. Apple is the sweetest fruit. The Superlative Degree is used when more than two nouns or things are compared. John is kind (Positive Degree) John is kinder than Rosy (Comparative Degree) John is the kindest of all (Superlative Degree)
By adding er and est POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE Bright Brighter Brightest Black Blacker Blackest Bold Bolder Boldest Clever Cleverer Cleverest Cold Colder Coldest Fast Faster Fastest Great Greater Greatest High Higher Highest Kind Kinder Kindest Long Longer Longest Small Smaller Smallest Strong Stronger Strongest Sweet Sweeter Sweetest Tall Taller Tallest Young Younger youngest By adding r and st POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE Brave braver Bravest Fine Finer Finest Large Larger Largest Nice Nicer Nicest Noble Nobler Noblest
Pale Paler Palest Simple Simpler Simplest Wise Wiser Wisest White Whiter Whitest By deleting the final y and adding ier and iest POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE Costly Costlier Costliest Dry Drier Driest Easy Easier Easiest Happy Happier Happiest Heavy Heavier Heaviest Lazy Lazier Laziest Mercy Mercier Merciest Wealthy Wealthier wealthiest By doubling the final consonants POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE Big Bigger Biggest Dim Dimmer Dimmest Fat Fatter Fattest Hot Hotter Hottest Thin Thinner thinnest
By using more and most POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE Active More active Most active Attractive More attractive Most attractive Beautiful More Beautiful Most Beautiful Brilliant More Brilliant Most Brilliant Careful More Careful Most Careful Courageous More Courageous Most Courageous Cunning More Cunning Most Cunning Difficult More Difficult Most Difficult Famous More famous Most famous Faithful More faithful Most faithful Proper More proper Most proper Popular More popular Most popular Splendid More splendid Most splendid Irregular Comparisons POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE Bad Worse Worst Evil Worse Worst Good Better Best Ill Worse Worst Far Farther Farthest Well Better Best Late Later Latest
Little Less Least Much More Most Many More Most Near Nearer Nearest Old Older Oldest Old Elder eldest Changes of Degrees of Comparison Comparison between two things Model -1 Model -2 POSITIVE Johnsy is as clever as Rosy Benjamin is atleast as tall as Jane COMPARATIVE Lazar is brighter than Stalin Model -3 (the + Superlative) COMPARATIVE Rosy is not clever than Johnsy Jane is not taller than Benjamin POSITIVE Stalin is not so bright as Lazar SUPERLATIVE COMPARATIVE POSITIVE Akthar is the richest man in Kanpur Akthar is richer than any other man in Kanpur No other man in Kanpur is so rich as Akthar
Model -4 (one of the + Superlative) SUPERLATIVE COMPARATIVE POSITIVE London is one of the biggest city in England Model -5 (Superlative + of all) London is bigger than most other city in England Very few cities in England are so big as London SUPERLATIVE COMPARATIVE POSITIVE Shakespeare is the greatest of all dramatists Shakespeare is greater than all other dramatists No other dramatist is so great as Shakespeare Model -6 (By using Less than ) POSITIVE Lazar is as strong as Lenin COMPARATIVE Lenin is not less strong than Lazar Model -7 (By using least ) POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE Some boys in our class are at least as intelligent as Benjamin Some boys in our class are not intelligent than Benjamin Benjamin is not the most intelligent boy in our class