Comparison of Adjectives: A Descriptive Explanation

In the study of adjectives, it is essential to understand the concept of comparison, which allows us to highlight the varying degrees of a particular quality. We generally compare adjectives using different forms, known as the Degrees of Comparison. These include the Positive Degree, the Comparative Degree, and the Superlative Degree. Let’s explore each degree in detail and discuss how they are used.

The Degrees of Comparison

1. Positive Degree: The Positive Degree of an adjective is the simplest form. It describes a quality without making any comparison. For instance, consider the adjective "sweet" in the sentence:"Rama's mango is sweet."The adjective "sweet" merely tells us that the mango has the quality of sweetness without comparing it to anything else.

2. Comparative Degree: The Comparative Degree compares two things or sets of things, indicating that one possesses a greater degree of the quality than the other. This is typically formed by adding "er" to the adjective or using "more" or "less" for adjectives that do not follow regular patterns. For example:"Hari's mango is sweeter than Rama's."Here, the adjective "sweeter" shows that Hari's mango has more sweetness compared to Rama's mango.

3. Superlative Degree: The Superlative Degree indicates the highest degree of a quality among more than two things or sets of things. This is typically formed by adding "est" to the adjective or using "most" or "least". For example:"Govind's mango is the sweetest of all."The adjective "sweetest" shows that among all the mangoes, Govind's mango possesses the highest degree of sweetness.

Examples of Degrees of Comparison

To clarify, here’s a set of adjectives and their forms in the three degrees of comparison:

• Sweet:

  
  

  Positive: sweet

  
  

  Comparative: sweeter

  
  

  Superlative: sweetest

• Small:

  
  

  Positive: small

  
  

  Comparative: smaller

  
  

  Superlative: smallest

• Tall:

  
  

  Positive: tall

  
  

  Comparative: taller

  
  

  Superlative: tallest

• Clever:

  
  

  Positive: clever

  
  

  Comparative: cleverer

  
  

  Superlative: cleverest

Regular and Irregular Forms

Some adjectives follow regular rules when forming the comparative and superlative degrees, while others follow irregular patterns. Here are the two categories:

Regular Comparison:

Most adjectives of one syllable and some with more than one syllable follow predictable patterns. For example:

• Adjectives ending in ‘e’: Add "r" for the comparative and "st" for the superlative.Example:

  • Brave → braver → bravest

  • Fine → finer → finest

• Adjectives ending in a single consonant preceded by a short vowel: Double the consonant before adding "er" and "est".Example:

  • Big → bigger → biggest

  • Hot → hotter → hottest

• Adjectives of more than two syllables: These form the comparative and superlative by adding "more" and "most".Example:

  • Beautiful → more beautiful → most beautiful

  • Difficult → more difficult → most difficult

Irregular Comparison:

Some adjectives have irregular comparative and superlative forms that do not follow the standard patterns. For example:

• Good, well → better → best

• Bad, evil → worse → worst

• Little → less → least

• Much → more → most

Special Usage of Certain Comparatives

Certain comparatives are used differently depending on the context:

• Later, latter; latest, last:

  • Later and latest refer to time.

    
    

    Example:

    • The latest news from China is alarming.

  • Latter and last refer to position.

    
    

    Example:

    • The latter chapters of the book are less interesting.

• Elder, older; eldest, oldest:

  • Elder and eldest are used only when talking about family members, not for things or animals.

    
    

    Example:

    • John is my elder brother.

  • Older and oldest can be used for both people and things.

    
    

    Example:

    • This is the oldest temple in Kolkata.

• Farther, further:

  • Farther refers to physical distance.

    
    

    Example:

    • Kolkata is farther from the equator than Colombo.

  • Further refers to additional or more.

    
    

    Example:

    • He made no further remarks.

Non-Comparable Qualities

Some adjectives describe qualities that cannot be compared because they do not allow for different degrees. For example, adjectives like square, round, perfect, eternal, universal, and unique cannot have comparative or superlative forms. It would be incorrect to say "more square" or "most perfect."

Exercises with Solutions

Let's solve some exercises to understand how to apply the Degrees of Comparison.

1. Point out the adjectives and identify their degree of comparison:

   • "The poor woman had seen happier days."

     
     

     Adjective: happier (Comparative)

   • "That child has a slight cold."

     
     

     Adjective: slight (Positive)

   • "Rama is the strongest boy in the class."

     
     

     Adjective: strongest (Superlative)

2. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the adjective:

   • "This mango is (sweet) than that one." → sweeter

   • "Govind is the (brave) person in the group." → bravest

   • "His book is the (interesting) of all." → most interesting

3. Change the degree of comparison without changing the meaning:

   • "Mount Everest is the highest peak in the Himalayas."

     
     

     Comparative: "Mount Everest is higher than any other peak in the Himalayas."

     
     

     Positive: "No other peak in the Himalayas is as high as Mount Everest."

Summary

Understanding the Degrees of Comparison in adjectives helps in clearly expressing the extent or intensity of a particular quality. By recognizing the rules for regular and irregular comparison, as well as the context-specific uses of certain adjectives, we can accurately convey our intended meanings. Whether it’s comparing two objects, showing the highest degree of a quality, or simply describing a thing, mastering these forms will improve our communication in English.