There are three degrees of comparison of adjectives in English: positive, comparative and superlative. In this article we will look at how they are formed and used in speech.

There are three degrees of comparison of adjectives in English: positive (positive degree), comparative (comparative degree) and excellent (superlative degree).

The positive degree of an adjective in English is its dictionary form, such as big, small, or pretty. We use a positive degree to say that an object / person has some kind of attribute or quality. We use the comparative degree when we want to note that an object / person has some quality to a greater extent than others. And the superlative degree of the adjective shows that the object / person has some quality to the greatest extent.

English adjectives fall into two categories:

• quality adjectives describe some quality, for example: narrow (narrow), beautiful (beautiful), friendly (friendly).
• relative adjectives some sign is called, for example: wooden (wooden), French (French).

Only quality adjectives have 3 degrees of comparison.

My car is fast but your car is faster. - My car fast but your car faster.
My car is German and your car is French. - My car german and your car french.

French and German are relative adjectives and cannot be compared. It cannot be said that any subject is more German or most French.

Formation of the comparative degree of adjectives in English

Consider the formation of the comparative degree of adjectives using an example. Let's take two roads. One of them is two-way, the other is four-way. Therefore, the second road is wider than the first. You can compare objects using the word than (than, than):

This road is broader than that one. - This road wider, how that.
Do you think that Maddie is more beautiful than Jane? - Do you think that Maddie more beautiful, how Jane?
My mother is taller than her sister. - My mom higher, how her sister.

When forming the comparative degree of adjectives in English, it is necessary to take into account the length of the adjective. This length must be measured in syllables. You can check the number of syllables using the How Many Syllables resource.

An adjective one syllable long - big (large), small (small), thin (thin), cute (funny), cold (cold) - is called monosyllabic.

The two-syllable adjective mod-ern (modern), bus-y (busy), clev-er (smart), pret-ty (beautiful) are disyllabic.

An adjective of three or more syllables - beau-ti-ful (beautiful), con-fi-den-tial (secret), de-fen-sive (protective) - is polysyllabic.

Features of the formation of the comparative degree of adjectives in English:

1. If the adjective is monosyllabic, the comparative degree is formed by adding the suffix -(e)r to the adjective.

   cold (cold) - cold er(colder)
   warm (warm) - warm er(warmer)
   cool (cool) - cool er(cooler)
   safe (safe) - saf er(safer)
   cute (funny) - cut er(more fun)
   wide (wide) - wid er(wider)

   In Canada I got used to colder winters. - In Canada, I'm used to colder winters.
   Kate's dog is cuter than Ann's. - Dog Kate cuter than dog Ann.

   If the adjective ends in a vowel + consonant combination, then the final consonant is doubled.

   big (large) - big g er (more)
   thin (thin, thin) - thin n er (thinner, thinner)
   fat (thick, fatty) - fat t er (fatter, fatter)

   The cuts were thinner but deeper. - The cuts were thinner, But deeper.
   I need a fatter piece of meat than that. - I need fatter piece of meat than this one.
   My bedroom is bigger than the living room. - My room more living room.
   July this year is hotter, I think. - July this year hotter, I think.

2. Features of the formation of the comparative degree of disyllabic adjectives:
   • For two-syllable adjectives that end in /r/, /l/ or an unstressed vowel, add the suffix -(e)r.

     clever /ˈklevər/ (clever) – clever er(cleverer)
     noble /ˈnəʊbl/ (noble) – nobl er(most noble)
     narrow /ˈnærəʊ/ (narrow) - narrow er(already)

   • bus y(busy) - bus ier(busier)
     cos y(cozy) - cos ier(cozier)

     The house in the mountains was cosier compared to the house we rented at the seaside. - The house was in the mountains cozier compared to the house we rented on the coast.
     New York streets are busier than Philadelphian ones. - New York streets busier than Philadelphia.
     A cleverer student will get an opportunity to go to the contest. - Smarter the student will have the opportunity to go to the competition.

   • Adjectives that end in -ing, -ed, -ful, and -less form the comparative with more.

     thanks ful(grateful) - more thankful (more grateful)
     amus ing(funny) - more amusing (more amusing)

     My previous job was more stressful than this one. - My previous job was more tense than this one.

   • Some disyllabic adjectives have two comparative forms: with the ending -(e)r and with the word more.

     polite (polite) - polit er / more polite (more polite)

3. If the adjective is polysyllabic, then we form a comparative degree from it by putting the word more in front of it:

   modern (modern) - more modern (more modern)
   famous (famous) - more famous (famous)
   interesting (interesting) - more interesting (more interesting)
   beautiful (beautiful) - more beautiful (more beautiful)
   unexpected (unexpected) - more unexpected (more unexpected)

   It is a more interesting book, believe me. - This more interesting book, trust me.
   You are more beautiful than she ever was. - You more beautiful than she ever was.

   The most famous mistake in English grammar is a phrase said by Lewis Carroll's Alice.

   The mistake is that Alice, defying the rules of grammar, adds the suffix - (e) r to the polysyllabic adjective, but she should have said: more and more curious.

4. There are exceptions in the formation of degrees of comparison of adjectives:

   good (good) - better (better)
   bad (bad) - worse (worse)
   far (distant) - farther / further (further)
   old (old) - older / elder (older)

   There is no better option. - No the best option.
   They say I can find a doctor in a farther village. - They say that I can find a doctor in more distant village.
   The situation got worse when I saw the expression on her face. - The situation has become worse when I saw the look on her face.

   Note that the adjective far has two comparative degrees. The choice of the correct form depends on the meaning of the word. When it comes to distance, it doesn't matter which shape you choose.

   It was a farther/further school. - It was more distant school.

   If we want to use this adjective in the sense of "further", "additional", then we use exclusively further.

   For further information, turn to the secretary. - Behind further contact the secretary for information.

Formation of superlative adjectives in English

Let's go back to our road example. The first is two-lane, the second is four-lane, and the third is six-lane.

The first road is broader than the second one, but the third road is the broadest. - First road wider second but third way widest.

Let's look at the features of the formation of the superlative degree of English adjectives:

1. If the adjective is monosyllabic, its superlative degree is formed by adding the suffix -(e)st, and the definite article the is placed before the adjective. If there are other qualifying words, such as a possessive pronoun, the article the is omitted.

   cold (cold) - the cold est(the coldest)
   warm (warm) - the warm est(the warmest)
   cool (cool) - the cool est(the coolest)
   safe (safe) - the saf est(the safest)
   cute (funny) - the cut est(the funniest)
   wide (wide) - the wid est(the widest)

   The kitchen with its stone floor was the coolest place in the house. - Kitchen with stone floor was the coolest place in the house.
   find the widest part of this figure. - Find widest part of this figure.
   This is mine cutest dog Charlie. - That's mine the cutest dog Charlie.

   If the adjective ends in a vowel + consonant, the final consonant is doubled:

   big (big) - the big g est (largest)
   thin (thin, thin) - the thin n est (thinnest, thinnest)
   fat (thick, fatty) - the fat t est (fattest, fattest)

   I want to find a recipe of a cake with the fat test layer of chocolate. - I want to find a cake recipe with the fattest layer of chocolate.
   She chose the biggest teddy. - She chose the biggest teddy bear.
   In my opinion, Jack must start with the thinnest book. - In my opinion, Jack should start with the thinnest books.

2. Features of the formation of the superlative degree of disyllabic adjectives:
   • For two-syllable adjectives that end in /r/, /l/ or an unstressed vowel, we add the suffix -(e)st. Remember to put the definite article the before the adjective.

     clever (smart) - the clever est(smartest)
     noble (noble) - the noble est(more noble)
     narrow (narrow) - the narrow est(the narrowest)

   • If the adjective ends in -y, it changes to -i.

     friendl y(friendly) - the friendl iest(most friendly)
     trend y(fashionable) - the trend iest(most fashionable)

     Cindy is the friendliest kid in the class. - Cindy - the friendliest child in the classroom.
     The remark was the cleverest I had ever heard. - The remark was smartest of all that I have ever heard.
     They chose the narrowest path because it was the shortest. - They chose narrowest path because she was the shortest.

   • Adjectives that end in -ing, -ed, -ful, and -less form the superlative with the most.

     thanks ful(grateful) - the most thankful (most grateful)
     amus ing(funny) - the most amusing (the most amusing)

     Let's watch the most joyful film I've ever seen again! - Let's look again. the most cheerful movie I have ever seen.

   • Some disyllabic adjectives have two comparative forms: the before an adjective with the ending -(e)st or the most before an adjective.

     polite (polite) - the polit est / the most polite (most polite)

3. Polysyllabic adjectives form superlatives with the most before the adjective.

   modern (modern) - the most modern (the most modern)
   famous (famous) - the most famous (most famous)
   interesting (interesting) - the most interesting (most interesting)
   beautiful (beautiful) - the most beautiful (the most beautiful)
   unexpected (unexpected) - the most unexpected (most unexpected)

   For my grandmother, her village is the most beautiful in the world. - For my grandmother her village the most beautiful in the world.
   Monica Bellucci is the most famous and the most beautiful Italian actress. - Monica Bellucci - the most famous And the most beautiful Italian actress.

4. Exceptions in the formation of superlative adjectives:

   good (good) - the best (best)
   bad (bad) - the worst (worst)
   far (far) - the farthest / the furthest (farthest)
   old (old) - the oldest (oldest) / the eldest (oldest)

   Gary is not the worst lawyer in the town, but he is not the best, though. - Gary not worst lawyer in town but not best.
   As usual, she found what she needed in the farthest store. - As usual, she found what she needed in farthest store.

Less and least

We use less when we want to note that an object / person has some quality to a lesser extent than others, and the least - to the least extent.

hard (heavy) - less hard (less heavy) - the least hard (least heavy)
famous (known) - less famous (less known) - the least famous (least known)
beautiful (beautiful) - less beautiful (less beautiful) - the least beautiful (least beautiful)

She is now a less famous actress than 20 years ago. - Now she lesser known actress than 20 years ago.
Let's choose a less expensive hotel. - Let's choose less expensive hotel.
First, I offer to choose the least beautiful dress. - First I suggest to choose least beautiful dress.
The least tiring journey was to Los Angeles because they took the train. - Least exhausting had a trip to Los Angeles because they took the train.

Now let's move on to the test on the degree of comparison in English.

Test on the topic "Degrees of comparison of adjectives in English"

We hope that after our detailed explanation, you will be able to easily use the comparative and superlative degrees of adjectives in English.

Adjectives form, as in Russian, two degrees of comparison: comparative(the Comparative Degree) and excellent(the Superlative Degree). The basic form of the adjective does not express comparison and is called positive degree (the Positive Degree):
Matthew is a young man. Matthew is a young man.(young is a positive degree)
Matthew is younger than Pete. – Matthew is younger than Pete.(younger - comparative degree)
Matthew is the youngest man in the group.Matthew is the youngest person in the group.(youngest - superlative)

The superlative degree is always preceded by the definite article. the:
This product is of the best quality. - This product is of the best quality.

Formation of degrees of comparison of adjectives

Adjectives are monosyllabic(consisting of one syllable: long) and polysyllabic(consisting of two or more syllables: sunny, grateful).

Monosyllabic adjectives

-er
Superlatives:-est:

For details of adding suffixes, see .

Disyllabicadjectives ending in-y (y changes to i) , -er, -ow, -ble
Comparative: positive adjective + suffix -er
Superlatives:positive adjective + suffix-est:

Positive degree	Comparative degree	excellent degree
sunny	sunnier sunnier, sunnier	the sunniest
tender tender	tenderer more tender	the tenderest most tender
narrow	narrower already	the narrowest
able	abler more capable, more capable	the ablest

Peculiarities For adding suffixes, see .

Polysyllabicadjectives (2 syllables or more)

Comparative: more+ positive adjective
Superlatives: most + positive adjective:

Exceptions:

a) some two-syllable adjectives polite, severe, sincere, simple, common. They form degrees of comparison with suffixes. -er, -est:

Positive degree	Comparative degree	excellent degree
polite	politer more polite, more polite	the politest
severe	severer	the severest
sincere sincere	sincerer more sincere, sincere	the sincerest most sincere, most sincere
simple	simpler	the simplest
common	commoner more common	the commonest

b) monosyllabic adjectives right, wrong, real. They form degrees of comparison with the help of words more And the most:

c) adjectives that form degrees of comparison from another root:

Positive degree	Comparative degree	excellent degree
good	better	the best
bad	worse	the worst
little	less less	the least
much, many	more	the most
old old	older elder older (in the family)	the oldest the eldest is the eldest in the family
far	farther 1. farther, farther further 1. further 2. further, additional	the farthest, the furthest
near	nearer	the nearest (by distance) the next next (in order)
late	later last last of two (in order)	the latest the last most recent (in order)

Notes:

1. Word less translated in two ways:
a) less - if it is a comparative degree from few
b) smaller - small:
There are less pupils in our group than in yours. There are fewer students in our group than in yours.
My doll is smaller than yours. My doll is smaller than yours.

2. Word more corresponds in English:
a) more if it is a comparative degree of a lot of
b) bigger or larger - if it is a comparative degree of big:
There are more pupils in our group than in yours. There are more students in our group than in yours..
My doll is larger than yours. My doll is bigger than yours.

3. a) Farther, farthest and further, furthest both are used to indicate distance:
The farthest (furthest) shop is on the St. Louis street. The farthest store is on St. Louis Street.
b) Further also matters further, additional:
Now you know my further actions. Now you know my next steps.

In any language there are words that wonderfully color speech, make it more vivid, figurative and expressive. Without them, any story would be dry and boring. In everyday life, without noticing it themselves, people now and then compare the surrounding objects, phenomena and ... each other.

And to a large extent, adjectives help them in this.

Adjective

An adjective is a part of speech that in a certain way describes the attribute of an object that characterizes its properties. Compared to Russian adjectives, English adjectives behave more “democratically”: they have a single form that is used to characterize a noun, regardless of its gender, number or case.

For example:

• beautiful th flower is beautiful s flowers are beautiful ohm flower
• beautiful flower - beautiful flowers - in a beautiful bloom

The Rule for Using Comparative Degrees

According to their semantic meaning, adjectives are relative and qualitative.

Relative adjectives

Relative adjectives characterize an object in naming order, that is, they denote such properties of an object that cannot be further strengthened or imagined in a larger or smaller volume.

These adjectives can refer to:

• time(annual plan, September leaf fall);
• place(urban architecture, sea cruise);
• purpose(sewing machine, food processor);
• material(glassware, log house);
• measure, weight(liter thermos, five-ton dump truck).

Try strengthening any of these adjectives: very sewing machine, incredibly liter thermos. Or give them a touch of comparison: more September leaf fall, less urban architecture. It turns out complete nonsense.

Note: it is impossible to find antonyms for these adjectives - words that are opposite in meaning.

Quality adjectives

The second group of adjectives is, in fact, more flexible. It consists of qualitative adjectives, which provide more opportunities for giving additional shades in the description of the qualitative features of an object. They denote the properties of an object, which can be subjected to both comparison and amplification.

For example:

• magnitude(large, small);
• weight(light heavy);
• outlines(smooth, curved);
• shade(white, light);
• sounding(quiet, loud);
• temperature(hot Cold);
• taste(sweet, sour).

The meaning of any of these adjectives can be easily strengthened: very cold (very cold), too loud (too loud), too sweet (extremely sweet).

No discomfort arises when comparing these qualities: colder (colder), louder (louder), sweeter (sweeter).

Everything is in order and with antonyms: light - dark (light - dark); sad - cheerful (sad - joyful); high - low (high - low).

Degrees of comparison

Qualitative adjectives have 3 degrees:

1. Positive (basic, absolute, initial). In old textbooks, it is still often called the dictionary form. This form of the adjective has nothing to do with comparison.
   For example: The Volga is a long river. The Volga is a long river. Influenza is a very dangerous disease. Flu is a very dangerous disease.
2. Comparative (more/less). It is used when comparing two objects according to one of their inherent qualities.
   For example: The Amazon River is longer than the Volga. The Amazon River is long er than the Volga. Pneumonia is more dangerous than the flu. Pneumonia is more dangerous than flu.
3. Excellent (highest/lowest). Used when comparing three or more items. With its help, the object that has the most outstanding properties is distinguished from all.
   For example: The Volga is a long river, the Nile is longer than the Volga, but the Amazon is the longest river in the world. the long est river in the world. Flu is a very dangerous disease, pneumonia is more dangerous than flu, but AIDS is the most dangerous disease of all.

From these examples, we can deduce the most general rule for the formation of comparative and superlative degrees of adjectives in English:

1. To short adjectives (1-2 syllables) is added: the suffix -er in the comparative degree and the suffix -est in the superlative;
2. To long adjectives (3 or more syllables) is added: the word more in the comparative degree and the most in the superlative.

positive degree

This is an adjectival form that neutrally describes the attribute (property) of an object; that is, simply indicates its presence.

For example:

My cousin is a very nice girl. My cousin is a very pretty girl.

She has a smart fashionable dress on. She is wearing a beautiful trendy dress.

In a positive form, the adjective can also be used to compare objects, but only if we are talking about identical, identical qualities.

If both objects being compared have the same quality, then the union "the same ... as ..." is used. In English, the union "as ..., as ..." corresponds to it.

For example:

This magazine is just as interesting as that one. This journal is as interesting as that one. His apartment is as big as yours. His flat is as big as yours.

If one of the compared objects does not have the indicated feature, then the union “not the same ... as ...” is used. In English, it sounds like this: "not so ... as ...".

For example:

This magazine is not as interesting as that one. This journal is not so interesting as that one. His apartment is not as big as yours. His flat is not so big as yours.

In fact, more often the comparison occurs according to the principle: two (or more) objects have more or less of one or another attribute.

Two options for the formation of the comparative degree of the adjective:

• adding the suffix -er,
• using the words more / less (more / less) immediately before the adjective.

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Comparative degree of monosyllabic adjectives

The formula for the comparative degree of an adjective of one syllable: positive degree + er

For example:

dark - darker (dark - darker);

light - lighter (light - lighter).

If the adjective, consisting of one syllable, ends with a consonant, and before it there is a short vowel, then the last letter in the word is doubled.

For example:

big-bi gg er (large - more);

hot-ho tt er (hot - hot).

When the letter “e” is already present at the end of a monosyllabic adjective, then adding the suffix –er does not duplicate this letter.

For example:

pale–pal er(pale - paler);

cute - cuter (cute - cuter).

Superlative degree of monosyllabic adjectives

The superlative degree of an adjective demonstrates the highest/least degree of possession of a quality. Words with a similar meaning in Russian begin with the prefix "nai ..." or with the word "most": the best, the best.

The spelling for the superlative adjective is similar to the previous one, only the suffix -est is used instead of the -er suffix.

The formula for the superlative degree is: positive degree + est

For example:

pale-the pal est(pale - the palest);

cute-cut est(cute - the cutest).

If a monosyllabic adjective ends with a consonant and is preceded by a short vowel, then the last letter in the word is doubled.

For example:

big - the bi gg est (large - largest);

hot - the ho tt est (hot - the hottest).

When the letter “e” is already present at the end of a monosyllabic adjective, then adding the suffix -est does not duplicate this letter.

For example:

larg e– the larg est(large - largest);

nice-the nic est(beautiful - the most beautiful).

In order to emphasize the uniqueness, unsurpassedness of the object, the definite article "the" is always used before the adjective in the superlative degree.

For example:

Tokyo is the city with the highest density of population in the world.

Tokyo is the city with the highest population density in the world.

Indeed, there are many big cities, but Tokyo outnumbers them all. This makes it unique, which emphasizes the article "the".

Comparative degree of polysyllabic adjectives

If an adjective consists of two or more syllables, then it is called polysyllabic. The comparative degree of most of these adjectives is helped to form additional words: "more" (more) or "less" (less).

Comparative formula: more/less + positive power

For example:

fabulous- more fabulous (incredible - even more incredible)

or less fabulous (less fabulous).

Superlatives of polysyllabic adjectives

Helper words for the formation of the superlative degree of polysyllabic adjectives: the most or the least.

Superlative formula: the most/the least + positive degree

For example:

fabulous (incredible) - the most / the least fabulous (most incredible / least incredible);

important (important) - most/ the least important (most important or least important).

Spelling of adjectives in comparative and superlative degree

There are a number of two-syllable adjectives in English that form their comparative and superlative degrees in two ways:

• and with the help of the suffix "er", "est",
• and by adding the words "more/less", "the most/the least".

For example:

angry-angrier (or more angry)

angry - more angry;

polite - politer (or more polite)

polite - more polite, more polite.

The choice depends on the prevailing cultural and speech tradition in a particular area.

The predominant part of two-syllable adjectives, when forming their forms of degrees of comparison, obey the following rule:

If in the positive form of the adjective the ending is -ow, -er, -le or -y, then in the comparative and superlative degree you will find the same suffixes (-er or -est) as in monosyllabic words; in this case, the ending -y is first changed to -i, and then the suffix -er or -est is added.

For example:

Narrow (narrow) - narrower (narrower) - the narrowest (narrowest);

Slender (slender) -slenderer (slimmer) - the slenderest (slenderest);

Subtle (thin) - subtler (thinner) - the subtlest (thinnest);

Tiny (tiny) - tinier (even tinier) - tiniest (tiniest).

Exceptions

There are several adjectives in English that do not follow the general rule of form formation, since their degrees of comparison have been formed historically and require memorization.

Here is their list:

• good (good) - better (better) - the best (the best);
• bad (bad) - worse (worse) - the worst (worst);
• old (old) - older (older) - oldest (oldest) - by age;
• old (old) - elder (older) - eldest (oldest) - among other relatives in the family;
• far (far) - farther (further) - the farthest (farthest) - about distance;
• far (far) - further (further) - the furthest (farthest) - about time;
• many, much (many) - more (more) - the most (largest, largest);
• little (little, small) - less (less) - the least (smallest, smallest).

To facilitate the assimilation of the rules for the formation of adjectives in a comparative and superlative degree, it is best to arrange them in a tabular form.

Number of syllables in an adjective	positive degree	Comparative degree	Superlatives
One General rule Short vowel before consonant Ending -e ending -y		Fa tter Cut er Dr ier	The cool est The fa ttest The cut est The dr iest
Two General rule ending -y Ending ending -le ending -er		Tin ier Narrow er subtl er Slender er	The proud est The tin iest Narrow est subtl est Slender est
Three or more General rule		More fantastic Less fantastic	The most fantastic The least fantastic

Degrees of adjectives comparison Degrees of comparison of adjectives

Adjectives in English do not change in number or case, they change in degrees of comparison. This applies to quality adjectives. Relative adjectives do not have degrees of comparison (about qualitative and relative adjectives - in the material "").

There are three degrees of comparison of quality adjectives in English:

1. Positive (positive). Adjective in its usual form.
big big
2. Comparative (comparative). Shows that one object has bo? a higher degree of quality than the other. Often used with the preposition than (than).
bigger more
3. Excellent (superlative). Indicates that the object has the highest degree of quality.
the biggest

Rules for the formation of degrees of comparison

1. The comparative degree is formed by adding the suffix -er [?r] to the stem of the word. Excellent - suffix -est [?st]. A few nuances:
A. In adjectives with one syllable, the last letter is doubled.
hot - hotter - the hottest
b. If the last letter of the adjective is -y, and it is preceded by a consonant, then it is replaced by -i; if a vowel, then -y remains unchanged.
busy - busier - the busiest
gray - grayer - the grayest
V. If the last letter in the adjective is mute -e (that is, not pronounced), then when writing it is omitted and merges with -e in the comparative or superlative suffix.
cute - cuter - the cutest
2. If the adjective has two or more syllables, then more is used in the comparative degree before it, and the most in the superlative degree:
beautiful - more beautiful - the most beautiful
3. There are a number of two-syllable adjectives that can change both according to the first rule and according to the second:
able
angry
clever
common
cruel
frequent
friendly
gentle
handsome
narrow
pleasant pleasant
polite
quiet
serious
simple
sour sour
4. Adjectives-exceptions:
good/well - better - the best
good - better - the best / the best
bad - worse - the worst
bad - worse - worst
little - less - the least
small - smaller - smallest/smallest
much (innumerable) / many (incalc.) - more - the most
many - more - most
old - older - the oldest
old - older - oldest
old - elder - the eldest
older - older - the oldest (only about people; for example: my elder brother is my older brother)
late - later - the latest/the last
late - later - latest (new, latest in time)
near - nearer - the nearest
close - closer - closest (distance)
near - nearer - next / the next
close - closer - next (in time or in order)
far-farther-the farthest
farthest - farthest - farthest (distance only)
far - further - the furthest
farthest - more distant - most distant (in the abstract sense)

English adjectives are not difficult to learn, as they have one single word form that fits nouns of all genders and numbers. A change in this form occurs only in one case - when using an adjective in a comparative or superlative degree. In this case, either a suffix or a special additional word is added to the stem. But, as is often the case in English, not all words behave according to the general norm. Therefore, today we will study grammar rules and all exceptions in the degree of comparison of adjectives in English.

In English grammar, there are three degrees of an adjective:

• positive ) - the original form of the word describing the signs and qualities ( friendly);
• comparative ) - describes the characteristics of an item/hero in comparison with another object ( more/less friendly);
• excellent (superlative) ) - indicates absolute perfection and unsurpassed characteristics ( the friendliest).

As already noted, the change in the basis of the word occurs only in a comparative degree and superlative. These comparative forms are obtained in two ways: by adding suffixes or by using additional words.

Synthetic forms of adjectives

This form is typical for all monosyllabic and part of two-syllable adjectives (with endings – y, -er, -ow, -le, -some). When forming a comparative degree, the suffix -er is attached to the basis of such words, and when building an excellent degree, the suffix -est is added.

* It is worth noting that in the sentence the superlative degree is used with the definite article: Iam the happiestpersonintheworld- I am the happiest person on earth!

It is noteworthy that the synthetic form is characteristic of a number of special disyllabic adjectives. These are the words: clever, common, friendly, simple, pleasant, handsome, polite, angry, quiet, gentle, cruel, narrow. They form degrees of comparison both in the suffixal way and in the analytical way, which we will discuss in the next section.

Analytic forms of adjectives

Polysyllabic adjectives can form forms only with the help of special words: more (comparative) and most (superlative).

At the same time, analytical adjectives in the superlative degree are also written with the article the: Thebusis the mostconvenientmeansoftransportation- The bus is the most convenient means of transport.

At first glance, everything in the education of degrees is simple, understandable and logical. But English wouldn't be English if he didn't make some exceptions to the rule for certain words.

Exceptions to the degree of comparison of adjectives in English

In this section, we will consider all special cases of the formation of the degree of comparison of adjectives in English.

Special degrees of comparison

At the beginning of the article, we noted that the stem of an adjective never changes. But in exceptional cases one has to face such a phenomenon as the formation of comparative forms of adjectives from completely different roots. This way of changing the form of a word is called suppletive. There are very few adjectives with such an original method of forming comparative degrees, but they are among the most common English words. Therefore, the table below must be memorized.

*adjectives have the same meaning but are used for different classes of words ( much– uncountable nouns, many- countable nouns.).

To easily and quickly remember these exceptional cases, let's work with examples of their use in sentences.

1. It was a bad idea. My car is worse than yours. It was the worst day of the whole vacation.

It was a bad idea. My car is worse than yours. It was the worst day of the entire holiday.

1. She has a good house. Her house is better than mine. It is the best house in the whole city.

She has a good home. Her house is better than mine. This is the best house in the whole city.

1. I have much free time. I have more free time in winter than in summer. Most of my free time is spent on studying English.

I have a lot of free time. I have more free time in winter than in summer. Most of my free time is spent learning English.

1. We make a little progress in English. But our progress is less, than your friend's progress. And Bob had made the least progress in his group.

We have made some progress in English. But our progress is less than your friend's. And Bob has achieved the least success in his group.

Double degrees of comparison

Another interesting case is adjectives, which have two variants of degrees of comparison and both have different meanings. In English grammar, 4 polysemantic words are distinguished, the changes in the forms and meanings of which should be learned by heart.

positive degree	comparative	Superlatives
old	older older (grown up)	oldest oldest (adult)
	elder senior (in a relationship)	eldest the oldest (by position)
late	later later	latest latest (most recent, newest, e.g. last news)
	the latter last of two first of two)	last past (time)
		the last extreme, last (order)
far	farther more distant	farthest* the farthest
	further further (following)	furthest* the farthest
near	nearer closer	nearest closest (distance)
		next next (time)
		the next next (order)

*both superlatives are equivalent when used to indicate distance

As in the previous section, to consolidate the acquired knowledge, we will work with practical examples of their use.

1. It's an old book. My husband is seven years old older than me. His elder sister is a journalist. What is the oldest song in the world? I am the eldest at my office.

This is an old book. My husband is seven years older than me. His older sister is a journalist. What is the oldest song in the world? I am the senior in my office (by position).

1. It was a late evening. The concert has been postponed to a later date. My father has 2 nephews: Brian and Andrew. The former is a musician , the latter is a lawyer. Have you already heard the latest news? I was at the theater last week. When was the last time you called him?

It was late evening. The concert was postponed to a later date. My father has two nephews: Brian and Andrew. The first is a musician, and the second is a lawyer. Have you already heard the latest news? I was at the theater last week. When was the last time you called him?

1. 1. My grandparents lived on the far side of the river. They could see a small boat on the farther shore. I was waiting for further instructions. The girl hidden in the farthest(=furthest) corner of the garden.

My grandparents lived on the far side of the river. They could see a small boat on the distant shore. I awaited further instructions. The girl hid in the farthest corner of the garden.

1. This restaurant is very near the lake. I live nearer to the school than my friend. Where is the nearest hospital? We will go to Sochi next summer. The questions to the text you can find on the next page.

This restaurant is located very close to the lake. I live closer to school than my friend. Where is the nearest hospital? Next summer we will go to Sochi. Questions to the text can be found on the next page.

Words that do not form degrees of comparison

And the last exceptions to the degree of comparison of adjectives in modern English are words that do not have comparative forms. All relative adjectives in English should be included in this category. The fact is that they describe such characteristics of objects that cannot be underestimated or exaggerated. Among them, such signs predominate as:

• location or nationality: eastern - eastern, urban - urban, French - French, forest - forest;
• material and shape of the object: wooden - wooden, leather - leather, iron - iron, cylindrical - cylindrical.
• connection with time: short-term - short-term, prehistoric - prehistoric, monthly - monthly.
• field of knowledge: religious - religious, geographical - geographical, historical - historical.

These exceptions are easy to remember, because they are based on logical associations, because such a phenomenon is not uncommon in Russian. We also don't say that the table is super-wooden, and the nearest French restaurant is more French than the one that recently opened in the neighboring area.

This concludes the study of today's material. Good luck in improving your English and see you soon!