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. In this article, you will learn the definition of degrees of comparison, the different degrees of comparison, how they can be used and the rules to be followed when using them along with examples that you can refer to.
Table of Contents
- What Do You Mean by Degrees of Comparison? – Definition
- The Three Degrees of Comparison in English Grammar
- How Do You Use Degrees of Comparison? – Rules and Points to Remember
- Examples of Degrees of Comparison
- List of Degrees of Comparison
- Check Your Understanding of Degrees of Comparison
- Frequently Asked Questions on Degrees of Comparison in English
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 Collins Dictionary defines the ‘degree of comparison’ as “the listing of the positive, comparative, and superlative forms of an adjective or adverb.” In other words, it can be said that one can use the degree of comparison to make a comparison between nouns having comparable quality or qualities.
The Three Degrees of Comparison in English Grammar
As you have already seen, the degrees of comparison are used to make comparisons. In English grammar, there are three degrees of comparison and they are,
- Positive Degree of Comparison
- Comparative Degree of Comparison
- Superlative Degree of Comparison
Let us now look at each of the above-mentioned degrees of comparison in detail.
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.
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 greater or lesser degree of the particular quality being referred to.
For example:
- Tina looks sadder than Katie.
- This bed is more comfortable than the other bed.
- The sun is brighter than yesterday.
- Your hair is longer than hers.
- My brother is taller than me.
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.
- Adharsh is the most silent boy in class.
How Do You Use Degrees of Comparison? – Rules and Points to Remember
Like every other grammatical component in English, there are some rules and points you will have to remember when using the degrees of comparison. Take a look at the following.
- The first thing that you should remember about degrees of comparison is that they are used to compare adjectives and adverbs.
- The positive degree of comparison is the base form of the adjective or adverb and does not allow any comparison.
- The comparative degree of comparison is used to compare two nouns that possess or do not possess the same qualities. It is mostly indicated by the addition of ‘-er’ to the end of the adjective.
- The comparative degree of comparison is always indicated by the addition of ‘than’ after the comparative form of the adjective.
- The superlative degree of comparison is used to show which of the nouns possess the greatest or least of the quality or qualities. It is indicated by the use of the article ‘the’ before the adjective and the addition of ‘-est’ to the end of the adjective.
- Make sure you retain the adjuncts that are there in the sentence when you are using the comparative or superlative degree of comparison.
Examples of Degrees of Comparison
Take a look at the following examples of how degrees of comparison can be used.
| Positive Degree of Comparison | Comparative Degree of Comparison | Superlative Degree of Comparison |
| Santana is tall. | Santana is taller than Brittany. | Santana is the tallest of all the girls. |
| She is pretty. | She is prettier than her sister. | She is the prettiest. |
| Sam is intelligent. | Sam is more intelligent than Tina. | Sam is the most intelligent kid in class. |
| The food here is as good as the other restaurants in the city. | The food here is better than the other restaurants in the city. | The food here is the best of all the restaurants in the city. |
| He is smart. | He is smarter than Geetha. | He is the smartest. |
| This book is interesting. | This book is more interesting than the other books I have read. | This book is the most interesting book I have read. |
| Rinita has a big house. | Rinita has a bigger house than Seena. | Rinita has the biggest house. |
| The dresses in this boutique are expensive. | The dresses in this boutique are more expensive than the boutiques in the city. | The dresses in this boutique are the most expensive. |
| The weather today is bad. | The weather today is worse than yesterday. | The weather today is the worst. |
| My friend, Bindhu, looks happy. | My friend, Bindhu, looks happier than my other friends. | My friend, Bindhu, looks the happiest. |
List of Degrees of Comparison
Before you look at examples, just 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’.
- Type 2 – Adding ‘-er’ and ‘-est’ to monosyllabic adjectives in which the last consonant is preceded by another consonant or two vowels.
- Type 3 – Adding ‘-r’ and ‘-st’ to adjectives ending in ‘e’.
- Type 4 – Adding -ier’ and ‘-iest’ to adjectives ending in ‘y’.
- Type 5 – Adding ‘more’ and ‘most’ to polysyllabic adjectives.
- Type 6 – Irregular adjectives
Here is a list of 100 examples of degrees of comparison that you can refer to.
Type 1
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
| Big | Bigger | Biggest |
| Thin | Thinner | Thinnest |
| Fat | Fatter | Fattest |
| Dim | Dimmer | Dimmest |
| Hot | Hotter | Hottest |
| Sad | Sadder | Saddest |
| Slim | Slimmer | Slimmest |
| Red | Redder | Reddest |
Type 2
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
| Bright | Brighter | Brightest |
| Short | Shorter | Shortest |
| Weak | Weaker | Weakest |
| Long | Longer | Longest |
| Smart | Smarter | Smartest |
| Cool | Cooler | Coolest |
| Dark | Darker | Darkest |
| Small | Smaller | Smallest |
| Bold | Bolder | Boldest |
| Clever | Cleverer | Cleverest |
| High | Higher | Highest |
| Tall | Taller | Tallest |
| Sweet | Sweeter | Sweetest |
| Deep | Deeper | Deepest |
| Rich | Richer | Richest |
| Fast | Faster | Fastest |
| Thick | Thicker | Thickest |
| Great | Greater | Greatest |
| Kind | Kinder | Kindest |
| Cheap | Cheaper | Cheapest |
| Young | Younger | Youngest |
| Fast | Faster | Fastest |
| Stout | Stouter | Stoutest |
| Black | Blacker | Blackest |
| Slow | Slower | Slowest |
| Tight | Tighter | Tightest |
| Quick | Quicker | Quickest |
| Narrow | Narrower | Narrowest |
| Broad | Broader | Broadest |
Type 3
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
| Large | Larger | Largest |
| Close | Closer | Closest |
| Dense | Denser | Densest |
| Humble | Humbler | Humblest |
| Simple | Simpler | Simplest |
| Fine | Finer | Finest |
| Noble | Nobler | Noblest |
| Brave | Braver | Bravest |
| Pale | Paler | Palest |
| Nice | Nicer | Nicest |
Type 4
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
| Funny | Funnier | Funniest |
| Happy | Happier | Happiest |
| Dry | Drier | Driest |
| Lazy | Lazier | Laziest |
| Easy | Easier | Easiest |
| Heavy | Heavier | Heaviest |
| Wealthy | Wealthier | Wealthiest |
| Healthy | Healthier | Healthiest |
| Costly | Costlier | Costliest |
| Busy | Busier | Busiest |
| Cosy | Cosier | Cosiest |
| Dirty | Dirtier | Dirtiest |
Type 5
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
| Comfortable | More comfortable | Most comfortable |
| Beautiful | More beautiful | Most beautiful |
| Sensible | More sensible | Most sensible |
| Ignorant | More ignorant | Most ignorant |
| Attractive | More attractive | Most attractive |
| Important | More important | Most important |
| Courageous | More courageous | Most courageous |
| Faithful | More faithful | Most faithful |
| Elegant | More elegant | Most elegant |
| Active | More active | Most active |
| Popular | More popular | Most popular |
| Awesome | More awesome | Most awesome |
| Loyal | More loyal | Most loyal |
| Fantastic | More fantastic | Most fantastic |
| Wonderful | More wonderful | Most wonderful |
| Splendid | More splendid | Most splendid |
| Famous | More famous | Most famous |
| Difficult | More difficult | Most difficult |
| Careful | More careful | Most careful |
| Brilliant | More brilliant | Most brilliant |
| Enthusiastic | More enthusiastic | Most enthusiastic |
| Suitable | More suitable | Most suitable |
| Spacious | More spacious | Most spacious |
| Devoted | More devoted | Most devoted |
| Proper | More proper | Most proper |
| Patient | More patient | Most patient |
| Amazing | More amazing | Most amazing |
| Intelligent | More intelligent | Most intelligent |
| Likely | More likely | Most likely |
| Careless | More careless | Most careless |
| Threatening | More threatening | Most threatening |
| Magnificent | More magnificent | Most magnificent |
| Depressed | More depressed | Most depressed |
| Excited | More excited | Most excited |
| Amusing | More amusing | Most amusing |
Type 6
| 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 | EldestOldest |
Check Your Understanding of Degrees of Comparison
Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate degree of comparison in the following sentences.
1. Thiya is ________ (smart) than most of her friends.
2. Nobody is _____________ (good) you.
3. Princy was _____________ (elegant) of all.
4. Haritha is _________ (tall) her brother.
5. ___________ (recent) movie was excellent.
6. Mount Everest is ___________ (high) peak.
7. F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is ___________ (watched) series.
8. Sam is _________ (happy) Tina.
9. Artie is a _____________ (patient) kid.
10. These maths problems are _______ (easy).
Check out if you have used the right form of the adjective from the answers given below.
1. Thiya is smarter than most of her friends.
2. Nobody is as good as you.
3. Princy was the most elegant of all.
4. Haritha is taller than her brother.
5. The most recent movie was excellent.
6. Mount Everest is the highest peak.
7. F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is the most watched series.
8. Sam is happier than Tina.
9. Artie is a patient kid.
10. These maths problems are easy.
Frequently Asked Questions on Degrees of Comparison in English
Q1
What is the meaning and definition of degrees of comparison?
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 Collins Dictionary defines the ‘degree of comparison’ as “the listing of the positive, comparative, and superlative forms of an adjective or adverb.” In other words, it can be said that one can use the degree of comparison to make a comparison between nouns having comparable quality or qualities.
Q2
What are the 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
Q3
Give an example of degrees of comparison.
Here is an example of degrees of comparison.
- Mirna is tall. (Positive)
- Mirna is taller than Georgina. (Comparative)
- Mirna is the tallest of all her friends. (Superlative)
