Mastering the degrees of adjectives is essential for clear and effective communication in English. This guide explains the positive, comparative, and superlative forms with rules and over 100 examples. Whether for academic success or competitive exams, understanding adjective degrees will sharpen your language skills instantly.
Introduction: Degrees of Adjectives
In the intricate tapestry of English grammar, the degrees of adjectives are fundamental threads that allow us to express varying levels of quality, quantity, or intensity. They enable us to compare one noun to another, transforming a simple description into a nuanced evaluation. This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of the three degrees of adjectives, complete with rules, essential tips for students and exam candidates, and a definitive list of 100 examples to solidify your understanding.
Understanding the Three Degrees of Adjectives
Adjectives have three degrees of comparison: Positive, Comparative, and Superlative.
- Positive Degree: This is the base form of the adjective. It describes a quality without any comparison.
Example: tall, beautiful, intelligent. - Comparative Degree: This form is used to compare two persons or things. It is typically formed by adding “-er” or using “more” before the adjective.
Example: taller, more beautiful, more intelligent. - Superlative Degree: This form is used to compare three or more persons or things, indicating the highest or lowest degree of a quality. It is typically formed by adding “-est” or using “most” before the adjective.
Example: tallest, most beautiful, most intelligent.
Formation Rules: Degrees of Adjectives
- For one-syllable adjectives: Add -er (comparative) and -est (superlative). E.g., fast, faster, fastest.
- For one-syllable adjectives ending in -e: Add -r and -st. E.g., large, larger, largest.
- For one-syllable adjectives ending consonant-vowel-consonant: Double the final consonant and add -er/-est. E.g., big, bigger, biggest.
- For two-syllable adjectives ending in -y: Change -y to -i and add -er/-est. E.g., happy, happier, happiest.
- For most two-syllable and longer adjectives: Use ‘more’ (comparative) and ‘most’ (superlative). E.g., careful, more careful, most careful.
- Irregular Adjectives: These follow no standard rule and must be memorized. E.g., good, better, best; bad, worse, worst.
Important Tips for Students & Exam Candidates
- The ‘Than’ Factor: The comparative degree is almost always followed by ‘than’ when comparing two distinct items (e.g., “She is smarter than him”).
- The ‘The’ Article: The superlative degree is usually preceded by the definite article ‘the’ (e.g., “This is the oldest building”).
- Avoid Double Comparatives/Superlatives: Errors like “more better” or “most tallest” are incorrect. Use one form only.
- Logical Comparison: Ensure you are comparing like with like. Incorrect: “His car is faster than his brother.” Correct: “His car is faster than his brother’s (car).”
- Know Your Irregulars: In competitive exams, irregular adjectives (little, much, many, far, etc.) are frequently tested. Memorize their comparative and superlative forms.
100 Examples of Degrees of Adjectives
- Positive: Tall | Comparative: Taller | Superlative: Tallest
- Short | Shorter | Shortest
- Big | Bigger | Biggest
- Small | Smaller | Smallest
- Bright | Brighter | Brightest
- Dark | Darker | Darkest
- Strong | Stronger | Strongest
- Weak | Weaker | Weakest
- Fast | Faster | Fastest
- Slow | Slower | Slowest
- High | Higher | Highest
- Low | Lower | Lowest
- Long | Longer | Longest
- Young | Younger | Youngest
- Old | Older | Oldest
- Rich | Richer | Richest
- Poor | Poorer | Poorest
- Clean | Cleaner | Cleanest
- Dirty | Dirtier | Dirtiest
- Easy | Easier | Easiest
- Happy | Happier | Happiest
- Heavy | Heavier | Heaviest
- Healthy | Healthier | Healthiest
- Lucky | Luckier | Luckiest
- Pretty | Prettier | Prettiest
- Ugly | Uglier | Ugliest
- Beautiful | More beautiful | Most beautiful
- Intelligent | More intelligent | Most intelligent
- Difficult | More difficult | Most difficult
- Famous | More famous | Most famous
- Careful | More careful | Most careful
- Dangerous | More dangerous | Most dangerous
- Expensive | More expensive | Most expensive
- Interesting | More interesting | Most interesting
- Peaceful | More peaceful | Most peaceful
- Courageous | More courageous | Most courageous
- Generous | More generous | Most generous
- Important | More important | Most important
- Valuable | More valuable | Most valuable
- Popular | More popular | Most popular
- Good | Better | Best
- Bad | Worse | Worst
- Far (distance) | Farther | Farthest
- Far (extent) | Further | Furthest
- Little (amount) | Less | Least
- Many/Much | More | Most
- Well | Better | Best
- Late (time) | Later | Latest
- Late (order) | Latter | Last
- Old (people/things) | Older | Oldest
- Old (family) | Elder | Eldest
- Near | Nearer | Nearest/Next
- Brave | Braver | Bravest
- Simple | Simpler | Simplest
- Gentle | Gentler | Gentlest
- Narrow | Narrower | Narrowest
- Shallow | Shallower | Shallowest
- Clever | Cleverer/More clever | Cleverest/Most clever
- Quiet | Quieter | Quietest
- Kind | Kinder | Kindest
- Crude | Cruder | Crudest
- Fine | Finer | Finest
- Wise | Wiser | Wisest
- Large | Larger | Largest
- Strange | Stranger | Strangest
- Close | Closer | Closest
- Thin | Thinner | Thinnest
- Fat | Fatter | Fattest
- Great | Greater | Greatest
- Loud | Louder | Loudest
- Soft | Softer | Softest
- Sweet | Sweeter | Sweetest
- Bitter | Bitterer | Bitterest
- Sharp | Sharper | Sharpest
- Dull | Duller | Dullest
- Deep | Deeper | Deepest
- Wide | Wider | Widest
- Thick | Thicker | Thickest
- Soon | Sooner | Soonest
- Hard | Harder | Hardest
- Smooth | Smoother | Smoothest
- Rough | Rougher | Roughest
- Smooth | Smoother | Smoothest
- Quick | Quicker | Quickest
- Polite | Politer/More polite | Politest/Most polite
- Rude | Ruder | Rudest
- Cruel | Crueler/More cruel | Cruelest/Most cruel
- Common | Commoner/More common | Commonest/Most common
- Handsome | Handsomer/More handsome | Handsomest/Most handsome
- Able | Abler/More able | Ablest/Most able
- Sincere | More sincere | Most sincere
- Terrifying | More terrifying | Most terrifying
- Complex | More complex | Most complex
- Beneficial | More beneficial | Most beneficial
- Accurate | More accurate | Most accurate
- Efficient | More efficient | Most efficient
- Reliable | More reliable | Most reliable
- Flexible | More flexible | Most flexible
- Absurd | More absurd | Most absurd
- Wonderful | More wonderful | Most wonderful
FAQs: Degrees of Adjectives
Q1: Can we use “more” and “-er” together?
No. This is a common error. Use only one method of comparison. “More taller” is incorrect; “taller” or “more tall” (though “more tall” is rarely used) are the correct choices.
Q2: What is the difference between ‘elder/eldest’ and ‘older/oldest’?
‘Elder’ and ‘eldest’ are primarily used for family relationships (e.g., elder brother, eldest daughter). ‘Older’ and ‘oldest’ are used for both people and things in general comparisons.
Q3: How do we compare two things that are equal?
We use the positive degree with “as…as”. For example, “She is as tall as her brother.” To indicate inequality, use “not as…as” or “so…as”.
Conclusion: Degrees of Adjectives
Achieving fluency in English hinges on a solid grasp of its core principles, and the degrees of adjectives are undoubtedly among the most crucial. By mastering the formation rules, remembering the irregular forms, and applying the practical tips outlined here, you can express comparisons with precision and confidence, a skill that will benefit you in both written and spoken communication.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, grammar rules can have exceptions and contextual variations. For authoritative sources, please refer to standard style guides or grammar textbooks.
Also Read: Master English Grammar: The Ultimate Guide to Determiners and Quantifiers
Master Modal Verbs Usage: The Ultimate Guide for Clear Communication & Exam Success
