Degrees of Comparison is used when we compare a person or thing with another. Degrees of Comparison is applicable only to Adverbs and Adjectives.
Degrees of Comparison add variations to the sentences. A most familiar example of degrees i.e. good < better < best. The degree is increasing from good to best.
Reaf more about Examples Degrees Of Comparison.
In the last blog, we have read about 5 Different Types of Adjectives. There are three degrees of comparison in English grammar. Let’s take a good look at them in detail.
1. Positive Degree-
A positive degree is used when we are talking about only one person or thing.
For instance,
Jack is an intelligent boy. (Here the adjective intelligent describes the noun Jack. Also, the sentence talks about only one noun Jack)
The Godfather is a good movie.
Rose is a beautiful flower.
What is the Positive Degree of Comparison? – Meaning and Definition
2. Comparative Degree-
A comparative degree is used when we compare two persons or two things with each other.
For example,
Sam is more intelligent than John. (Here the adjective more intelligent describes the noun Sam whose intelligence is being compared to John’s intelligence. Also, the sentence talks about two nouns.)
Captain America is as good as Iron Man.
Jill sings as beautifully as Mindy.
3. Superlative Degree-
A superlative degree is used when we compare more than two persons or things with one another. While using a superlative degree, keep in mind that you should always use the before it.
For instance,
Jack is the most intelligent boy in class 7th. (Here the adjective most intelligent describes the noun Jack whose intelligence is being compared to all other students in the class. Also, the sentence talks about more than two nouns.)
Joker is the best movie I have ever seen.
Lily is the most beautiful flower in this garden.
For better understanding, let’s look at this example.
| Positive Degree | Comparative Degree | Superlative Degree |
| Very few batsmen in the world are as good as Sachin Tendulkar. | Sachin Tendulkar is better than most other batsmen in the world. | Sachin Tendulkar is one of the best batsmen in the world. |
Process of Formation:
Take a look at how comparative and superlative are formed from positives. Few adjectives and adverbs get their comparative forms by adding more before and their superlative terms by adding most before them.
| Positive Degree | Comparative Degree | Superlative Degree |
| Qualified | More Qualified | Most Qualified |
| Famous | More Famous | Most Famous |
| Difficult | More Difficult | Most Difficult |
| Important | More Important | Most Important |
| Expensive | More Expensive | Most Expensive |
| Effectively | More Effectively | Most Effectively |
Few adjectives and adverbs get their comparative forms by adding er after them and their superlative terms by adding est after them.
| Positive Degree | Comparative Degree | Superlative Degree |
| Tall | Taller | Tallest |
| Happy | Happier | Happiest |
| Easy | Easier | Easiest |
| Hot | Hotter | Hottest |
| Safe | Safer | Safest |
| Pretty | Prettier | Prettiest |
Here are some irregular adjectives.
| Positive Degree | Comparative Degree | Superlative Degree |
| Good | Better | Best |
| Bad | Worse | Worst |
| Little | Less | Least |
To sum up, Degrees of Comparison is used to compare one thing to another. The positive degree is used to describe one item or person. The comparative degree is used to describe two items or persons. And the superlative degree is used to express groups, more than two items, or person.
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Hope it helps!! Happy Learning
Written by,
Jaini Bhavsar (There's always room for bliss.)
11th June 2020
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