Why did we choose this particular phrase? Firstly, you can often hear it from people when studying English :), and secondly, it is directly related to our topic - degrees of comparison of adjectives in English.

The more you learn, the less you understand...
(The more you study, the less you understand...)

Adjectives in English have two degrees of comparison - comparative (Comparative) and excellent (Superlative)(similar forms exist in the Russian and Ukrainian languages), and the rules for their formation are quite simple:

Degrees of comparison in English exist, not without exceptions:

As practice shows, knowledge of the rules of education degrees of comparison in English does not at all guarantee their correct use in speech, so we offer you a selection of the most popular - the most popular:) - cases of using adjectives for comparison in context.

Strengthening adjectives in comparative and superlative degrees

Let's go by train. It's much cheaper. - Let's go by train. This much cheaper.

"How do you feel?" " Much better, thanks!" – How are you feeling? Thank you, much better.

Don't go by plane. It's a lot more expensive. - Don't fly by plane. This much expensive.

Could you speak a bit more slowly? - Could you speak? A little slower?

Her illness is far more serious than we thought at first. – Her illness much more serious than we thought.

This task is by far the most difficult. - This task undoubtedly the most difficult.

Comparative designs with than (than)

I know him better than anyone else. “I know him better than anyone.”

The screen version is more interesting than the book itself. – The film adaptation of this book is more interesting than the book itself.

Compare: You are taller than I am. - You are taller than me.
They have more money than we have. - They have more money than us.

* After than we use pronouns me, him, her, them, us, if they are not followed by a verb in the comparative construction.

Comparative design as ... as

* Used in affirmative and interrogative sentences, and the adjective in this case appears in the positive degree:

I'm sorry I'm late. I got here as fast as I could. - Sorry for being late. I arrived as quickly as I could.

Let's walk. It's just as quick as taking the bus. - Let's take a walk. It will take the same time as traveling by bus.

In negative sentences, you can use phrases when making comparisons not so...as, not as...as .

Jack isn't as old as he looks. - Jack is younger than he looks.

The weather is not so cold as it was yesterday. – Not as cold as yesterday.

When comparing objects and their qualities, they also use structure the same as (but not the same like):

She gets the same salary as me. – She earns the same as me.

Her brother is the same age as mine. – Her brother is the same age as mine.

To show that one of the compared items is several times superior to the other, we use the following structure:

Petrol is twice as expensive as it was a few years ago. – Gasoline is now twice as expensive as it was several years ago.

Their house is about three times as big as ours. “Their house is about three times larger than ours.

The superlative degree of comparison of adjectives often precedes tense Present Perfect in a sentence:

What's the most important decision you've ever had to make? – What was the most important decision you ever made?

He's the most selfish person I've ever met. “He is the most selfish person I know.”

Now let's return to our phrase “The more you learn, the less you understand” and analyze it from a grammatical point of view. This sentence uses comparative structure the + comparative degree... the + comparative degree..., which expresses a parallel increase in some quality, for example:

The sooner we leave, the earlier we will arrive. “The sooner we hit the road, the faster we’ll get there.”

The more I thought about the plan, the less I liked it. “The more I thought about the plan, the less I liked it.”

I need a big suitcase. The bigger the better. - I need a big suitcase. The bigger, the better.

We hope that comparison of adjectives in English Now it won’t cause you any special difficulties. Stay with us, friends, and read our articles carefully, because we adhere to the principle.

Degrees of comparison of adjectives is a lexico-grammatical category of adjectives, which indicates the ability of the adjective attribute to manifest itself to a lesser, greater or highest degree. Degrees of comparison are inherent only to qualitative adjectives.

In English, adjectives have positive, comparative and superlative degrees of comparison.

Positive degree– denotes a feature that is not compared with other features (dry, shiny, quiet, wide, exciting).
comparative– denotes a characteristic that is manifested in one object more strongly (less) than in another object, as well as a characteristic that manifests itself in an object at different times with different degrees (whiter, cleaner, deeper, less severe).
Superlative– denotes a characteristic in its highest manifestation in comparison with other characteristics or without it (the simplest, strongest, most daring, least convenient).

Rules for the formation of comparative and superlative degrees of comparison of adjectives

The comparative and superlative degrees of comparison are formed by adding suffixes (a morpheme after the root, which serves to form new words (old - old age) or new forms of the word (swim - swam) and special words.

Degrees of comparison of monosyllabic adjectives are formed by adding suffixes -er- in the comparative degree and -est- in the superlative degree: deep-deep er - the deep est(deep - deeper - the deepest).

Degrees of comparison are also formed for two-syllable adjectives that end in -y, -er, -le, -ow: simple - simpler - the simplest (simple, simpler, the simplest), narrow - narrower - the narrowest (narrow - already - the narrowest), easy - easier - the easiest (simple - simpler - the simplest).

Most adjectives with two or more syllables form degrees of comparison using special words: in comparative degree - more(more), less(less); superlatively - the most(most), the least(least): difficult — more difficult - the most difficult (difficult - more difficult - the most difficult).

NB! The superlative degree of comparison of adjectives is always used with the definite article the!

One syllable adjectives

• young - younger - the youngest (young - younger - the youngest);
• big - bigger - the biggest (big - bigger - largest);
• short - shorter - the shortest (short - shorter - the shortest)

Two-syllable adjective ending in -y

• lovely - lovelier - the loveliest (sweet, lovely - sweeter, more beautiful - sweetest, most beautiful);
• pretty - prettier - the prettiest (beautiful - more beautiful - the most beautiful);
• funny - funnier - the funniest (funny - funnier - the funniest).

Other two-syllable adjectives

• pleasant - more pleasant - the most pleasant (pleasant - more pleasant - the most pleasant);
• annoyed - more annoyed - the most annoyed (irritated - more irritated - the most irritated);
• modern - more modern - the most modern (modern - more modern - the most modern);
• careful - more careful - the most careful (careful - more careful - the most careful);
• careless - more careless - the most careless (careless, carefree - more carefree - the most carefree).

Adjectives of theree or more syllables

• expensive - more expensive - the most expensive (expensive - more expensive - the most expensive);
• attractive - more attractive - the most attractive (attractive - more attractive - the most attractive);
• exciting - more exciting - the most exciting (exciting - more exciting - the most exciting);
• intelligent - more intelligent - the most intelligent (smart, intelligent - smarter - the smartest).

Degrees of comparison of adjectives formed from different stems (exceptions) (Adjectives with irregular comparatives and superlatives)

• good - better - the best (good - better - the best);
• bad - worse - the worst (bad - worse - worst);
• far - further/farther - the furthest/farthest (far - further - the farthest);
• little - less - the least (small - smaller - smallest);
• many (with countable nouns)/much (with uncountable nouns) - more - the most (many - more - the biggest).

Note!

1. Do not use at the same time more/less, most/least and suffixes -er, -est: faster, fastest, more modern, the most modern.
2. Adjectives elder/eldest(older - the eldest), formed from old(old) mean members of the same family: my elder brother - my older brother.
3. Adjectives such as: central (central), dead (dead), empty (empty), infinite (endless), perfect (perfect), straight (direct), unique (unique), right () do not have degrees of comparison (as a rule). true), wrong (wrong), real (real), as well as adjectives ending in -ed: bored (bored), pleased (happy).
4. Some two-syllable adjectives can form degrees of comparison in two ways: by adding suffixes to the base word -er, -est and using special words more, most. These are adjectives such as: clever, common, cruel, gentle, pleasant, polite, quiet, stupid, stupid, etc.

Degrees of comparison with words more, most form adjectives that end in suffixes - ful, -less: careful (caring), useful (useful), hopeless (hopeless).

Spelling rules for forming degrees of comparison of one-syllable and some two-syllable adjectives

• • letter -e"discard" before adding -er, -est: nice - nicer - the nicest;
  • letter -y after a consonant it changes to -ier, -iest: pretty - prettier - the prettiest;
  • the final consonant preceded by a vowel is doubled: hot - hotter - the hottest, big - bigger - the - biggest.

Adjective in English. List of basic adjectives with transcription and translation Verb forms in English

In English, as in Russian, adjectives form two degrees of comparison: the Comparative Degree and the Superlative Degree. Adjectives in the positive degree (the Positive Degree) denote the quality of an object without comparison with this quality in other objects:
The Dnieper is a long river (long - positive degree).
Dnepr - long river.
The Volga is longer than the Dnieper (longer - comparative degree).
Volga longer Dnieper.
The Volga is the longest river in Europe (longest - superlative).
Volga - the longest river in Europe.

comparative monosyllabic adjectives are formed by adding the suffix - to the form of the adjective in the positive degree - eg, and the superlative degree - by adding the suffix - est(simple forms of degrees of comparison):

Degrees of comparison are formed using the same method disyllabic adjectives ending in - at, as well as some other two-syllable adjectives:

§ 5. When forming degrees of comparison using suffixes - er And - est The following spelling rules are observed:
1. If the adjective ends in silent - e, then when adding - er And - est not mine - e omitted:
large - large larger largest
brave - brave braver bravest
mature - ripe riper ripest

2. If an adjective ends in a consonant preceded by one vowel, then in the comparative and superlative degree the final consonant is doubled:
big - big bigger biggest
hot - hot hotter hottest
thin - thinner thinnest
wet - wet wetter wettest

3. If the adjective ends in -y with a preceding consonant, then in the comparative and superlative degree - at goes into - i:
busy - busy busier busiest
easy - easy easier easiest
dirty - dirty dirtier dirtiest
dry - dry drier
If before - at there is a vowel, then y remains unchanged:
gay - gay gayer gayest

Comparative degree of majority two-syllable adjectives, as well as adjectives consisting of three or more syllables, formed using the word more, and excellent - using the word most. These words are placed before the adjective in the form of a positive degree (complex forms of degrees of comparison):

A noun qualified by a superlative adjective is used with a definite article. The article is preserved before the superlative degree even when the noun is not mentioned:
This is the shortest way to the station.
This is the shortest road to the station.
This is the most interesting story in this book.
This is the most interesting story in this book.
The Moscow underground is the best in the world.
The Moscow metro is the best in the world.

Notes:
1. Most used before an adjective not only to form a superlative degree, but also with the meaning extremely, very. In this case, a singular noun is used with an indefinite article, and a plural noun without an article:
This is the most interesting book. This extremely interesting book.
Compare:
This is the most interesting book. This the most interesting book.

These are most interesting books. This very interesting books.
Compare:
These are the most interesting books. This the most interesting books.

2. Most also used before a noun with the meaning majority, most:
Most young people are fond of sports.
Majority young people love sports.
After most The preposition is used with this meaning of, when the noun to which it refers has a definite article, demonstrative or possessive pronoun, i.e. when it denotes a certain group of objects or a certain amount of something:
Most of my friends live in Moscow.
Most of my friends live in Moscow.
Most of these books have been published in Moscow.
Most of these books were published in Moscow.
- Where did you spend your summer holidays?
- I spent most of the time in the Crimea.
- Where did you spend your summer vacation?
- I spent most of my time in Crimea.

Some two-syllable adjectives have both simple and complex forms of comparison, such as:
clever - cleverer or more clever, cleverest or most clever;
lucky happy - luckier or more lucky happier, luckiest or most lucky the happiest.

Notes:
1. Please note that Russian adjectives, like English ones, have simple and complex forms of degrees of comparison, and in Russian most adjectives have parallel simple and complex forms:
longer - longer, longest - longest;
deeper - deeper, deepest - deepest.

2. It should be borne in mind that adjectives in the comparative degree are always translated into Russian by adjectives in the complex form of the comparative degree when they come before a noun:
a higher price - a higher price, a lower quality - lower quality, a cheaper dress - a cheaper dress.

If the corresponding Russian adjective does not have a complex comparative form, such adjectives are translated into a simple form: a larger box - a larger box, a smaller trunk - a smaller suitcase, a better machine - a better car, a worse example - a worse example.

The degrees of comparison of some adjectives in English, as well as the corresponding adjectives in Russian, are formed from a different root:

Notes:
1. to the word less corresponds in English:
a) less - in the case when less is a comparative degree of few And
b) smaller - in the case when less is a comparative degree of small:
I have less time than he has. I have less time than he.
My room less yours. My room is smaller than yours.

2. to the word more corresponds in English:
a) more - in the case when more is a comparative degree of a lot of And
b) bigger or larger - in the case when more is a comparative degree of big:
I have more time than he has. I have more time than he.
My room more yours. My room is larger than yours.

Adjective far has two forms of comparative and superlative degree:

When denoting distances farther, farthest and further, furthest are used in parallel:
I found him in the farthest (furthest) corner of the park.
I found it in distant corner of the park.
As indicated in the table, further also matters further, additional:
I have obtained further information on this matter.
I got further(additional) information on this case.
Please send the books back without further delay.
Please send books without further delays.

After comparative adjectives the conjunction is used than, corresponding to the Russian union how:
Moscow is larger than Leningrad.
Moscow more than Leningrad (Moscow is larger than Leningrad).
This book is more interesting than that one.
This book more interesting than that (This book is more interesting than that one).

In Russian, after adjectives in the comparative degree instead of a conjunction how with the following noun (or pronoun) in the nominative case there can be a noun (or pronoun) in the genitive case:
Volga longer than Dnieper. = Volga longer Dnieper.
When translating such sentences from Russian into English, the conjunction is always used than:
The Volga is longer than the Dnieper.

The adjectives in the comparative degree superior - higher, higher, better, better (in quality) and interior - worse, worse (in quality) are borrowed from the Latin language. They end in - or, and not on - er, and after them instead than used to. They have neither positive nor superlative degrees:
These samples are superior (interior) to those.
These samples better (worse) quality those samples.

To strengthen the comparative degree, the words much, far, a great deal are used with the meaning much, much, significantly:
The Dnieper is much longer than the Thames.
Dnieper much (much) longer Thames.
This book is far more interesting than that one.
This book much (much) more interesting that one.
Your room is a great deal better than mine.
Your room much better mine.

Note. Russian combination much more in meaning much larger number corresponds to English much more before uncountable nouns and many more before countable nouns:
Him much more free time than I have.
Doesn't have much more free time than I.
I have much more books than his.
I have many more books than he.

To strengthen the comparative degree, words are also used still or (less often) yet with meaning more:
Not still(yet) taller than his brother.
He more taller than his brother.
This story is still(yet) more interesting.
This story more more interesting.

Superlative adjectives are often followed by a noun with a preposition, most often with a preposition of(with meaning from):
Mayakovsky is the most talented of the Soviet poets.
Mayakovsky - the most talented of Soviet poets.
He is the youngest of my friends.
He the youngest of my friends.

Note. In Russian, superlative adjectives are often followed by a noun in the genitive case without a preposition. However, in this case, instead of such a noun, one can meaningfully use a noun with the preposition V or on:
He is the best student our Institute (or: in our Institute).
Kyiv is one of the most beautiful cities our countries (or: in our country).
Batumi is one of the largest ports Black sea ​​(or: on Cherny sea).
In the corresponding English sentence, only the second option is possible, i.e. it is possible to use a noun with one of the prepositions at, in, on(but not with the pretext of, expressing the meaning of the Russian genitive case without a preposition:
Not the best student at our Institute (not: of our. Institute).
Kiev is one of the most beautiful cities in our country (not: of our country).
Batumi is one of the biggest ports on the Black Sea (not: of the Black Sea).

After superlative adjectives, a defining subordinate clause is often used, which is introduced by a relative pronoun that - which. Pronoun that, however, is often omitted:
This is the most interesting book ( that) I have ever read.
This is the most interesting book , which I've ever read.

Used to enhance superlatives by far, (less often) far or much:
The deposits of oil in the Soviet Union are by far (far) the richest in the world.
Oil deposits in the Soviet Union much richer everyone else in the world.
This sample is much the best.
This sample much (much) better.

To express a lesser or the smallest degree of quality in an object compared to other objects, the words less - less and least - least are used, respectively, which are placed before the adjective in the form of a positive degree: pleasant - pleasant, less pleasant - less pleasant, least pleasant - least pleasant ;
comfortable - comfortable, less comfortable - less comfortable, least comfortable - least comfortable.

When comparing two objects of the same quality, an adjective in the positive degree is placed between as ... as with the meaning the same ... as, the same ... as:
Not as young as my brother.
He just as young(also young) How my brother.
My dictionary is as good as yours.
My dictionary as good as your.
In negative sentences the first as often replaced so:
Not not so (as) young as my brother.
He not as young as my brother.
My dictionary is not so (as) good as yours.
My dictionary not as good as your.

Notes:
1. Combinations of the type as short (simple, interesting, etc.) as possible correspond in Russian to combinations as short as possible (simpler, more interesting, etc.);
The letter must be as short as possible.
The letter must be as briefly as possible.

2. Russian comparative degree after combinations twice, three times, etc. expressed in English by an adjective in the positive degree, placed between as... as;
Your room twice as much mine.
Your room is twice as large as mine.
This box three times heavier Togo.
This box is three times as heavy as that.
Him twice as much books, how I have.
Doesn't have twice as many books as I.
Today we loaded three times more wheat, how yesterday.
Today we have loaded three times as much wheat as yesterday.

When the second comparison object is not mentioned, then as Not used after an adjective:
This variety twice expensive.
This grade is twice as expensive.
He twice older.
Not twice as old.

You should pay attention to the translation of the following combinations:
I paid for the book twice smaller than for a dictionary.
I paid half as much for the book as for the dictionary.
I have twice smaller English books than yours.
I have half as many English books as you have.
He twice younger than me.
Not half my age.
My room twice smaller yours.
My room is half the size of yours.
My suitcase twice easier your his.
My trunk is half the weight of yours.

Hey, everyone! Today we will discuss English adjectives, or more precisely: their role and order in a sentence, types, structure, formation, characteristic suffixes and prefixes, degrees of comparison and the use of articles with them. You need this! C"mon!

Adjective(adjective) is one of the main parts of speech, which denotes the attribute of an object and answers the questions “ Which?», « whose?».

An adjective is used with a noun to show its special attribute, property and to give additional characteristics of a different nature. It is thanks to adjectives that our speech becomes diverse and emotionally rich.

Unlike adjectives in Russian, in English they do not change neither by gender, nor by case, nor even by number.

We just take an adjective and put any noun after it. Easy!

smart cat - smart cat;
cute kids - cute children;
hot stuff is hot stuff.

Order of adjectives in an English sentence

Adjective in definition functions stands before the noun it refers to, and in functions of the nominal part compound predicate - after a linking verb:

I have bought a black cat. - I bought a black cat (definition).
This cat is black. - This cat black(predicative).

If adjectives two or more, then they must be used in a certain order.

First there will be adjectives showing the speaker’s attitude (opinion) to the subject: handsome (attractive), ugly (ugly), luxurious (luxurious).

Second adjectives are used that describe the parameters of an object (size, characteristics, age, shape, color): black (black), old (old), huge (huge).

A before a noun usually purpose: kitchen (kitchen), throwing (throwing), educative (educational).

She has fascinating long hair. - She has charming long hair.
Take that small black metal box. - Take that one small black metal box.
It was a modern wooden dinner table. - It was modern wooden dining room table.
I've bought a new steel carving knife. - I bought new steel cutting knife.
I've bought some expensive square fragile china plates. - I bought several expensive square fragile porcelain plates.

Adjectives, showing measure(deep - depth, high - height, long - length, wide - width, etc.), are placed after the noun being defined.

The highway is 10 kilometers long. - This route is 10 kilometers length.
This lake isn’t big, but it is 30 meters deep. - This lake is small, but depth 30 meters.

Formation of adjectives in English

There are adjectives simple, derivatives and complex(composite).

• Simple adjectives have neither prefixes nor suffixes (big, short, black, red).
• Derivatives include suffixes or prefixes, or both at the same time (natur al, in correct, un natur al).
• Complex(composite) adjectives are formed from two words denoting one concept: dark blue,red-cheeked, snow-white.

Suffixes, prefixes and endings of adjectives

Most famous suffixes adjectives are:

«- less": help less helpless, use less useless;
«- able,« -ible": suit able(suitable), access ible accessible;
«- ous":fam ous famous, danger ous dangerous;
«- ful": use ful useful, care ful(attentive);
«- ent": intelligent ent(smart); preval ent(common)
«- ary": element ary(elementary);
«- ive": aggression ive(aggressive);
«- al": form al formal, center al central;
«- ic": hero ic(heroic);
«- y": sno wy(snow).

The most famous adjective prefixes include:

« un-»: un happy (unhappy), un equal (unequal);
« in-»: in complete (incomplete), in different (indifferent);
« im-»: im polite (impolite), im puberal (immature).

In English there is a list of adjectives that can be used and with suffixes, and with the words “ more/most», « less/least».

able(capable);
angry(wicked);
clever(smart);
common(general);
cruel(cruel);
friendly(friendly);
gentle(gentle);
handsome(Beautiful);
narrow(narrow);
pleasant(nice);
polite(polite);
quiet(quiet);
serious(serious);
simple(simple);
sour(sour).

Types of adjectives in English

According to their meaning, English adjectives are:

• Quality(big - big, small - small, clever - smart).
• Relative(wooden - wooden, central - central), etc.

Relative adjectives of the English language do not have degrees of comparison, but qualitative adjectives have the following degrees of comparison: positive, comparative and superlative.

Degrees of comparison of adjectives

Qualitative adjectives and adverbs of manner of action in English, as well as in Russian, have three degrees of comparison:

• absolute,
• comparative
• superlative.

So, with absolute everything is clear in form: long, far, good, active, expensive etc.

Comparative form an adjective is used when comparing two or more objects or people.

A comparative adjective can be formed in two ways:

• adding a suffix«- er» to the absolute form of the adjective . This applies to one-syllable adjectives (long) and two-syllable adjectives with a “y” at the end (pretty).

This is a long er book.
This doll is pretty ier.

Features of education:

- in words ending with " e", is added " r" at the end (lam e-lame r);
- in words with one vowel and one consonant at the end doubles consonant and add “- er" (b ig- bi gger);
- in words with more than one vowel or with more than one consonant at the end, add “- er" at the end (ha rd- hard er).

• adding « more» before an adjective. This applies to two-syllable adjectives without a “y” at the end (charming) and adjectives with three or more syllables (powerful).

She is more charming than her friend.
This gun is more powerful than that one.

Features of education:

When comparing two objects (people), the word " than» located between adjective and subject of comparison.

Oranges are sweeter than grapefruits
This painting is more interesting than that painting.

Superlative used to show that a thing or person has the greatest amount of a particular quality (in a group or of its kind). Commonly used with article« the».

It can also be formed in two ways.

• adding «- est» to absolute form. This applies to one-syllable adjectives (big) and two-syllable adjectives ending in “y” (lucky).

This is the bigg est table in the room.
I"m the luck iest person in the company.

Features of education:

- in words, h ending with " e", the suffix "-" is added st"at the end (large - the large st);
- in words with one vowel and one consonant at the end, the consonant is doubled and “-” is added est" (big-bi ggest);
- in words with more than one vowel or with more than one consonant at the end, add “- est" (blue - blu est);
- in words ending with " y", it is replaced by " i" with addition "- est"(pretty - prettiest).

• adding « the most» before an adjective. Applies to two-syllable adjectives with a "y" at the end, as well as adjectives with three syllables or more.

This is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen.
This is the most popular song on the list.
That was the most powerful weapon.

Note: Comparative and superlative adjectives come before all others.

I'd like to buy this more beautiful white rose. - I would like to buy this more beautiful white rose.
At the ceremony there were some of the best young French actresses. - Several of the best young French actresses were present at the ceremony.

Positive form of adjective

The positive form is used when no difference between two things or people being compared.

To form a positive we use " as"before and after the absolute form of the adjective.

Danny is as smart as Phillip.
She is as beautiful as her older sister.

This can also be applied in a negative context by adding the word " not» before first « as" This way we indicate that the objects being compared not alike.

Danny is not as smart as Phillip.
She is not as beautiful as her older sister.

Exceptional adjectives

The following adjectives, degrees of comparison of which are not formed according to the general rule, and their forms should be known by heart.

good- better- the best(good - better - best);
bad - worse- the worst(bad - worse - worst);
little- less- the least(small - smaller - smallest);
many/much - more- the most(many - more - greatest);
old- older- the oldest(old - older - oldest);
old- elder-the eldest(old - older - the eldest) - about family members;
late- later- the latest/last(late - later - last/latest in time);
late- the latter- the last(late - the second of the two listed - the last in order);
near- nearer - the nearest(close - closer - closest in distance);
near- nearer- next/the next(closer - closer - next in time/next in order);
far- farther- the farthest(distant - more distant - farthest);
far- further- the furthest(distant, distant - further - further/additional).

Using the article with adjectives

A noun with a definition expressed by an adjective in the superlative degree is used with a definite article if the meaning does not require any pronoun.

London is the largest city in the UK.
My best friend lives in Seattle.

The definite article is retained before the superlative even when the noun is not mentioned (i.e. the noun is implied).

The London underground is the most beautiful in the world.

An English sentence, two parts of which (separated by a comma) begin with an adjective or adverb in the comparative degree with a definite article in front of it, is translated into Russian using the conjunctions “ how …, those … »:

The more we suffer the stronger we get.

Note: In English we can make nouns out of adjectives. To do this we need to add definite article « the" before the adjective, and we get the word in plural number.

All the doctors examined the sick. - All the doctors examined sick.
He is always used to help the poor. - He always helped before poor.
The rich also cry. - Rich they cry too.

Adjectives ending in "-" sh» «- ch"(English, French), turning into nouns, are used with a plural meaning to denote the nation as a whole.

In this case, they are preceded by a definite article: the French (French), the English (English), the Dutch (Dutch), the Spanish (Spaniards).

Conclusion

We hope that the topic of adjectives is now more than clear to you. To reinforce the material, we suggest you try our simulator on adjectives and degrees of comparison.

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Bigger – smaller

An adjective is a part of speech that denotes a characteristic of an object, person, or phenomenon. As in the Russian language, there are three degrees of comparison of adjectives in English: positive, comparative and superlative.

What are the degrees of comparison of an adjective?

Degrees of comparison are three forms of an adjective expressing different degrees of quality. Here are some examples:

• Positive degree- this is the basic form of an adjective, as in the dictionary, when it is not compared with anything:

This dog good- This dog is kind.

• comparative- two characteristics are compared:

This dog kinder than mine - This dog is kinder than mine.

• Superlative- characteristics of the “best” type:

This the kindest dog in the world. - This is the kindest dog in the world.

As you can see, the positive degree is just an adjective in its usual form without any special endings, there are no difficulties here. When talking about degrees of comparison, we always mean comparative and superlative degrees.

Comparative Degree of Adjectives

The comparative degree is used when the characteristics of objects, persons, and phenomena are compared.

The comparative degree of adjectives can be formed in two ways:

• With the help of ending -er.
• With words more And less(more and less).

The method depends on how many syllables are in the word.

Let's look at the table in more detail.

Monosyllabic adjectives

-er.

kind - kind er(kind - kinder)

smart – smart er(smart - smarter)

tall – tall er(high – higher)

When the comparative degree is formed using -er, possible changes in the spelling of the word:

• If the adjective ends in -e, this letter is omitted before -er,

cut e– cut er(darling - cuter)

whit e– whit er(white - whiter)

• In adjectives on -y, final -y changes to -i,

bus y– bus i er (busy – busier)

laz y– laz i er (lazy – lazier)

• If an adjective ends in a consonant preceded by a short vowel, it is doubled.

bi g– bi gg er (big - more)

thi n-thi nn er (thin - thinner)

Two-syllable adjectives

As can be seen from the table, two-syllable adjectives can be formed in both ways. How do you know which method to choose?

Some manuals say that you need to add -er to adjectives ending in -e, -er, -ow, -le, and the words more \ less to the rest. But in practice this is not always the case; it is easier to be guided by these simple principles:

• In most cases, two-syllable adjectives form the comparative degree using more\less.
• Some two-syllable adjectives form the comparative degree in both ways, it's just that one way is more popular than the other.
• more\less– it is grammatically correct in any case.

Three-syllable adjectives

In all cases, three or more complex adjectives form the comparative form using more\less(more\less).

beautiful – more beautiful (beautiful – more beautiful)

reliable – more reliable (reliable - more reliable)

Superlative Degree of adjectives

The superlative degree is used when one object (person, phenomenon) is superior to all others in some way, is “the very best.”

The superlative degree of adjectives, like the comparative, can be formed in two ways:

• With the help of ending -est.
• With words most\least(most\least).

Please note that adjectives (more precisely, the nouns they define) are used in the superlative degree with the article the, since we are talking about a certain very, and therefore unique, object:

the nearest town - nearest city,

the longest journey - the longest journey.

The method of forming superlatives depends on the number of syllables in the word.

Monosyllabic adjectives

Monosyllabic adjectives form the comparative degree using the ending -est.

broad – the broad est(wide – widest)

fine – the fin est(graceful - the most graceful)

At the same time, the same changes occur in the spelling of the word as in the formation of the comparative degree:

• If the adjective ends in -e, it is dropped before -est

cut e– the cut est(darling - the cutest)

whit e– the whit est(white – the whitest)

• In adjectives on -y, final-changes to -i

bus y– the bus i est (busy – busiest)

laz y– the laz i est (lazy – the laziest)

• If an adjective ends in a consonant preceded by a short vowel, it is doubled.

bi g– the bi gg est (big – the biggest)

thi n– the thi nn est (thin - the thinnest)

Two-syllable adjectives

The situation is the same as with the comparative degree. Somewhere it is written that you need to add -er to adjectives ending in -e, -er, -ow, -le, and the words more \ less to the rest. But in practice it is easier to be guided by these principles:

• In most cases, two-syllable adjectives are added most\least.
• Some two-syllable adjectives can also form superlatives with -er.
• When in doubt, use the adding method most\least- he's a win-win.

Three-syllable adjectives

In all cases, three or more complex adjectives form the superlative form using most\least.

expensive – the most expensive (expensive - the most expensive)

underestimated - the most underestimated (underestimated - the most underestimated)

Table: degrees of comparison of adjectives in English

Let's summarize all of the above in one table.

Non-standard education of degrees of comparison

Some adjectives in English form degrees of comparison in a non-standard way, you need to remember them.

Sentences with comparative and superlative adjectives

In the sentence, degrees of comparison are used according to formulas similar to similar constructions in Russian

comparative

When comparing one object to another, the conjunction than is used.

My bike is faster than your car. - My bicycle faster than your car.

Martin swims slower than Kate. – Martin is swimming slower than Kate.

It is better than nothing. - This better than nothing.

As in the Russian language, the object with which the comparison is made can only be implied.

The book is better(than the movie). - Book better(than the movie).

My boat is more comfortable(thanks to you). – My boat convenient(than yours).

Superlative

In sentences with superlatives, than is not used because there is no comparison.

This is the best day in my life. - This best day in my life.

The worst nightmare I had was about rabbits. – The worst the nightmare I had was about rabbits.

What's the shortest way home? - Which The shortest the way home?

Where is the nearest ATM? - Where nearest ATM?

Expressions like “The more, the better”

Quite often there are expressions like the more, the better- the bigger, the better. They are built using a simple formula:

The + comparative degree, the + comparative degree.

The phrase can be supplemented with other words, but its basis is exactly that.

For example:

The more, the better. - The bigger, the better.

The longer you think, the less time you have. - The longer you think, the less time you have.

The older you get the more you realize - The older you get, the more you understand.

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