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English Grammar : Adjectives – Part 1
English Grammar : Adjectives – Part 2
Every adjective has three degrees of its own. They are : Positive, Comparative, Superlative degrees.
1. Positive Degree
2. Comparative Degree
3. Superlative Degree
Positive Comparative Superlative
bold bolder boldest
bright brighter brightest
black blacker blackest
able abler ablest
true truer truest
sad sadder saddest
early earlier earliest
ugly uglier ugliest
active more active most active
beautiful more beautiful most beautiful
good better best
bad worse worst
little less least
1. Positive Degree : It is used to describe the quality of noun. A positive degree both preceded and followed by as, in negative sense it can be followed by so also.
Ex : Delhi is as big as Mumbai.
He is not so Clever as his sister.
2. Comparative Degree : It is used when there is a comparison between two nouns or pronouns. A comparative degree is followed by than.
Ex : He is better than you
The Ganges is longer than any other river in India.
3. Superlative Degree : When noun is shown as a superior out of a group, class etc. Superlative degree is always precede by ‘ the ‘.
Ex : He is the best student of the class.
Rules of Adjectives
1. When a selection is made out of the two, and two is given in the sentence, the is used before the adjective denoting comparison.
Ex : Amit is the better of the two brothers.
2. Preferable takes to and is not preceded by more.
Ex : Tea is preferable to coffee in India.
3. When two adjectives in different degrees of comparison are used in the same sentence, each should be complete in itself.
Ex : My father is as rich as if not richer than your mother.
4. If two adjectives are connected by and, they should be in the same degree throughout.
Ex : Seema is more intelligent and more active.
5. The comparative in -er is not used when we compare two qualities of the same person or thing.
Ex : Divya is more wise than strong.
6. When two objects are compared with each other, the latter term of comparison must exclude the former.
Ex : Savita is cleverer than any other student in his class.
7. The comparative degree is generally followed by than but the following comparative adjectives are followed by the preposition to : inferior, superior, prior, anterior, posterior, senior, junior.
Ex : Bangladesh fielding is inferior to Pakistan.
8. Adjectives expressing qualities that do not admit of different degrees cannot be compared.
Ex : Our field is square.
9. Double comparatives and superlatives are to be avoided.
incorrect: Zarda mangoes are more sweeter than Maldah ones.
Correct: Zarda mangoes are sweeter than Maldah ones.