Degrees of Comparison
In English grammar, words used to describe and give more information about the nouns in a particular sentence or
context are called adjectives. Sometimes, there might be more than one noun that possesses the same quality as another
one or sometimes, even better than one or more of the other nouns involved. In order to compare similar qualities, we
can make use of degrees of comparison.
What Do You Mean by Degrees of Comparison? – Definition
In the English language, a degree of comparison is a form of adjective that is used to compare a person or thing
possessing the same quality with another. It is related to the adjective or adverb in a sentence.
The Three Degrees of Comparison in English Grammar
In English grammar, there are three degrees of comparison and they are,
Positive Degree of Comparison
Comparative Degree of Comparison
Superlative Degree of Comparison
1. Positive Degree of Comparison
The positive degree of comparison is basically the original form of the adjective. This degree does not allow you to make
any comparison. It only gives the audience the information about a particular quality possessed by a noun.
For example:
Lisa is happy.
This dress is pretty.
He looks handsome.
Meena is tired.
The sun is bright.
2. Comparative Degree of Comparison
The comparative degree of comparison is used to compare between two nouns that have the same quality or the
particular quality of a noun at two different times. It shows which one of the two has the equal, greater or lesser degree
of the particular quality being referred to.
Comparative structures:
A. Iquality: things or people that are the same
First, we can use 'as ... as' with a normal adjective (not a comparative) to say two things are the same:
John is as tall as Luke.
The red shirt is as expensive as the blue shirt.
B. Inferiority: one thing or person is less than another thing by using 'less ... than':
Scotland is less big than France.
Lucy is less tall than Luke.
My book is less interesting than your book.
C. Superiority: one thing or person is more than another thing or person by using a comparative adjective with 'than'.
France is bigger than Scotland.
Luke is taller than Lucy.
Your book is more interesting than my book.
We can make the comparison stronger by using 'far' or 'much' or 'a lot' before the adjective. We can make it less strong
by using 'a little' or 'a bit'.
Canada is far bigger than Scotland.
Your book is much more interesting than my book.
Amanda is a lot younger than Julie.
This exercise is a little more difficult than that exercise.
3. Superlative Degree of Comparison
The superlative degree of comparison is the highest degree of comparison. It is used to compare the similar qualities
shared by more than two nouns. It shows which of these nouns being compared has the greatest or least degree of the
mentioned quality or qualities.
For example:
We climbed the highest mountain.
The last group was the best of all.
The Himalayas are the longest mountain ranges.
Sanjana is the tallest girl in our gang.
Rules of Degrees of Comparison
keep in mind that the rule to add ‘-er’ and ‘-est’ to form the comparative and superlative degree of comparison does not
remain the same with every adjective. The different types include,
Type 1 – Doubling the final consonant of a monosyllabic adjective and adding ‘-er’ and ‘-est’.
Positive Comparative Superlative
Big Bigger Biggest
Thin Thinner Thinnest
Fat Fatter Fattest
Type 2 – Adding ‘-er’ and ‘-est’ to monosyllabic adjectives in which the last consonant is preceded by another
consonant or two vowels.
Positive Comparative Superlative
Bright Brighter Brightest
Short Shorter Shortest
Weak Weaker Weakest
Type 3 – Adding ‘-r’ and ‘-st’ to adjectives ending in ‘e’.
Positive Comparative Superlative
Large Larger Largest
Close Closer Closest
Dense Denser Densest
Type 4 – Adding -ier’ and ‘-iest’ to adjectives ending in ‘y’.
Positive Comparative Superlative
Funny Funnier Funniest
Happy Happier Happiest
Lazy Lazier Laziest
Type 5 – Adding ‘more’ and ‘most’ to polysyllabic adjectives.
Positive Comparative Superlative
Comfortable More comfortable Most comfortable
Beautiful More beautiful Most beautiful
Sensible More sensible Most sensible
Type 6 – Irregular adjectives
Positive Comparative Superlative
Good Better Best
Bad Worse Worst
Far Further/Farther Furthest/Farthest
Late Later(time)/Latter(position) Latest(time)/Last(position)
Much More Most
Little Less Least
Many More Most
Old Elder/Older Eldest/Oldest
Activities
1. Complete with comparisons
The cat is as ......................... as the dog. This pizza is as......................... as that one.
This is the ................................ building in the city. This is the ...........................movie I’ve seen all year.
Your book is ............................ than mine. The friendship is as ....................... as steel
My new phone is ........................ than my old one. She is the ............................student in the class.
The airplane flies ......................than the helicopter. This is the ............................ cake I’ve ever tasted.
The rainbow is as ...................... as a butterfly’s wings. He is ---------------------- runner on the track team.
The diamond is .......................... than the glass. She has ................................. hair of anyone I know.
He has .............................. collection of comic books I’ve ever seen.
2. Make comparisons about this year and last year related to you as a English student.
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