Ø Positive, comparative and superlative of comparison.
1. There is a degree of comparison.
2. The positive form is the simple form of the adjective.
3. A comparative adjective compare two nouns with each other adjective.
4. A superlative adjective show how one thing is better than the rest
Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
Tall | Taller | Tallest |
Small | Smaller | Smallest |
Convenient | More convenient | Most convenient |
5. For one syllable adjectives, we form the comparative by adding `-er’ and `-est’.
- Deep, deeper, deepest,
- Cheap, cheaper, cheapest
6. For adjectives of three or more syllable, we usually add `more’ to form the comparative and `most’ to form the superlative.
- Wonderful, more wonderful, most wonderful
- Comfortable, more comfortable, most comfortable
7. For adjective of two syllables, the comparatives and superlatives are formed using one or the other of the above rules. These words ending in `-ful’ or `re-‘ usually take`more’ or `most’. Those ending in `-er’, `-y’ or `-ly’ usually take `-er’ or `-est’.
8. Some adjective have irregular comparison.
- Good, better, best
- Bad, worse, worst
PATTERN OF COMPARISON
1) An adjective of the positive form is usually used in the expression `as…as’. This
Equality between two things or person compared.
· Lim is as fit as his brother.
· Fatini is as smart as Linda.
2) In negative sentences, we used `no so…as’ or `not as…as’.
· He is not as brilliant as you think.
· Winter in Australia is not as cold as winter in Europe.
3) We used `than’ after an adjective of the comparison form. This shows a superiority of a person or a thing over another.
4) We can compare three or more people or things, we used in the superlative form, with `the…in/of’.
· This is the biggest city.
· Lim is the cleverest of the boys in his class.
5) When we talk about gradual increase or decrease, we use comparative, `the + comparative’.
6) Parallel increase is show by `the’ + comparative.
· Mr. Smith: Shall I get you a diamond ring?
· Mrs. Smith: Yes, the bigger the better.
Difficult comparison
Ø A. Old
The word old has two comparatives (older, elder ) and two superlatives ( older, eldest ). Older and oldest express age of person and things. Elder and eldest are used to denote seniority, especially within a family.
Ø Fatini is older than her sister.
Ø Lim is the eldest in the family
Ø B. Far
The comparatives of `far’ are `father’ and `further’.
Ø The States is farther/further than Europe.
Ø The farthest/furthest petrol kiosk is ten kilometers from here.
Further can be used with abstract nouns, to mean `additional’.
Example:
Further delay would cost the company a big sum of money.
C. Less, fewer
`Less’ applies to uncountable nouns and `fewer’ to countable nouns.
Ø Less energy is needed to work this machine.
Ø Fewer viewers tuned in to the latest season of `survivor’.
