The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence The grass is always greener behind the fence. (Well, where we do not). Well, comparison is in the human genes. And whatever one may say, there is no comparison.
Everything is relative
Let's look at how the English behave when they are compared.
Let's look at them in a table.
Degrees of comparison of adjectives
So, in the first column, the original, “untouched” adjective (just “what”? - big), in the second - the comparative degree, “competition” (when we compare with something; what is in Russian in -e / -ee, for example "greater"), and in the third column - superlative degree, "winner" (the highest degree of any quality, for example, "the biggest").
| "Untouched" adjective | comparative "competition" | Superlatives "winner" |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 syllable | Big (large) | bigg er(more) | The bigg est(the biggest) |
| Long (long) | Long er(longer) | The long est(the longest) | |
| Thin (thin) | Thinn er(thinner) | The thinn est(the thinnest) | |
| Ends in -y | Happy (happy) | happ ier(happier) | The happy iest(the happiest) |
| Lucky (lucky) | lucky ier(luckier) | The luck iest(the luckiest one) | |
| 2 or more syllables | Interesting (interesting) | More interesting (more interesting) | The most interesting (most interesting) |
| Beautiful (beautiful) | More beautiful (more beautiful) | The most beautiful (the most beautiful) | |
| Exceptions | Good (good) | Better(better) | The best(the best) |
| Bad (bad) | Word(worse) | The worst(the worst) | |
| Little (small, few) | Less(less, less) | The least(smallest, least) | |
| Far (distant, far) | Further(farther) | The furthest(the farthest) |
Rules for using comparative degrees
One-syllable adjectives
Let's start with the simplest, monosyllabic, very short adjectives.
Rule: When compared, they will be added -er, but in a superlative degree (he is definitely a winner, the only one of the best of his kind, hence the definite article) and -est. Also, when comparing 2 objects, we always use the word " than- "what", although in Russian we often do without it.
For example:
- Kate is tall er than Tina (Kate is taller than Tina/Tina).
- Albert is rich er than his brother. (Albert is richer than his brother/his brother)
- It looks better. (It looks better)
- He is the tall est in his family. (He is the tallest in the family)
Important! Pay attention to the words - since they consist of one syllable and end in one consonant, and there is one vowel before it, such a consonant doubles in comparison and superiority - bigger, thinner, fitter, fatter, etc.
Adjectives ending in -y
Rule: If the adjective ends in -y(and it doesn’t matter in this case how many syllables it has), then comparison and superiority will form in the same way as short adjectives, only in writing -y will change to i.
For example:
- You look happy ier, than before. (You look happier than before).
- He is slopp ier, than his sister. (He is sloppier than his sister).
- It's the tack iest thing I've ever seen! (This is the most tasteless thing I've ever seen!)
If 2 or more syllables
Rule: If the adjectives are long (2 or more syllables), then adding something else to them will simply be too much heap for concise English. So they just add words to them more("more") - more interesting - in comparison and the most("most") - the most interesting - in superiority.
Important! Only if in Russian our freedom of language allows us to do this in different ways (for example, you can say “thinner”, but you can say “more subtle”), then in more strict English you will not show such liberties.
For example:
- Work is always more important for him. (Work is always more important to him)
- This book is more useful than that one. (This book is more useful than that (book).
- It's the most exciting sports! (This is the most exciting sport!)
No exceptions
Exceptions are very easy to remember - these are one of the most used words, and they are always heard. And "good" and "bad" are exceptions in our language ("better", "worse").
- Do you best! (Try to do your best / best you can).
- It's getting worse and worse… (Getting worse and worse).
I hope you are getting better with adjectives now better and better, I wish you always do your best, especially in learning English, be the happiest and the luckiest!
Watch our video tutorial on comparative degrees of adjectives:
In general, teaching is such a colossal exchange of energy with students that at some point you fall into euphoria, from what you get, and from students there is a return, it's great when everyone is on the same wavelength.
Hello my dear readers.
English grammar rules are quite easy to understand for both adults and children. To prove it to you, today we will analyze one of the most popular topics: degrees of comparison of adjectives in English.
Bright and memorable tables will not leave you indifferent, and the practical part, consisting of tasks, exercises and, will forever consolidate the knowledge gained.
Ready to start the lesson?
Let's start simple
You probably know that in English there is 3 degrees of comparison of adjectives: simple, comparative and superlative.
- Remember, and better write down: If you have an English word of one syllable (hot, big, cool, kind) - just add the ending -er to the end of the adjective and get a comparative degree.
For example:
hot-hotter wide-wide
big bigger kind kinder
- But do not forget that there is also a superlative degree (this is when something is the very best\beautiful\fast). So, if we still have a word of one syllable, then the superlative degree is formed by adding the article the at the beginning of the word and the ending -est at the end.
For example:
hot-hotter-the hottest wide-wider-the widest
big-bigger-the biggest kind-kinder-the kindest
This is where the simple part of the rule ends.
And the next one begins.
Don't forget the important
- If you haven't noticed, then in the examples above we have doubled consonants. This only happens under the following conditions:
- The word consists from one syllable.
- The word ends like this: one vowel + one consonant.
For example,
fat-fatter-the fattest
- I will talk about the obvious, but sometimes confusing - to words ending in a vowel -e, we simply add -r and -st.(this is also seen in the above examples)
- Another important point! There is a list of short adjectives consisting of two syllables and ending in - y. When we form degrees of comparison with them, then the letter -y is replaced by -i .
For example,
lucky-luckier-the lucki est.
- There is an unspoken rule that adjectives consisting of two syllables can form degrees of comparison in the second way about which read below.
Another way to form degrees of comparison
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Answers:
Exercise 1.
1. Hot-Hotter-The hottest
2. Beautiful-More beautiful-The most beautiful
3. Happy-Happier-The happiest
4. Brave-Braver-The bravest
5. Fast-Faster-The Fastest
6. Calm-Calmer-The calmest
7. Cool-Cooler-The coolest
8. Loud-Louder-The loudest
9. Short-Shorter-The shortest
10. Strong-Stronger-The strongest
11. Dangerous-More dangerous-The most dangerous
12. Handsome-More handsome-The most handsome
13. Nice-Nice-The nicest
14. Sarcastic - More sarcastic - The most sarcastic
15. Bad-Worse- The worst
Exercise 2.
1. The safest \ the fastest.
2. Longer\Shorter
3.Louder
4.Closer
5. Bigger
6. More expensive
7. More beautiful
8. The best
9. The tallest
10 Taller
Exercise 3
1. The smartest
2.Worse
3. The kindest
4. The most populated
5. Further
6. (Much) happy
7. The best
8. The most popular
9. Further
10.Worst
Bigger-smaller
An adjective is a part of speech denoting a sign of an object, person, phenomenon. As in Russian, there are three degrees of comparison of adjectives in English: positive, comparative and superlative.
What are the degrees of comparison of an adjective?
The degrees of comparison are three forms of the adjective expressing different degrees of quality. Here are some examples:
- positive degree- this is the main, as in a dictionary, form of an adjective when it is not compared with anything:
This dog kind- This dog is kind.
- comparative two features are compared:
This dog kinder than mine - This dog is kinder than mine.
- Superlatives- characteristic of the type "most-most":
This the kindest dog in the world. - This is the kindest dog in the world.
As you can see, a positive degree is just an adjective in its usual form without any special endings, there are no difficulties here. Speaking of degrees of comparison, they always mean comparative and superlative degrees.
Comparative degree of adjectives (Comparative Degree)
The comparative degree is used when the characteristics of objects, persons, phenomena are compared.
The comparative degree of adjectives can be formed in two ways:
- With the end -er.
- With the help of words more and less(more and less).
The method depends on how many syllables are in the word.
Let's take a closer look at the table.
One-syllable 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, spelling changes are possible:
- If the adjective ends in -e, this letter is omitted before -er,
cut e– cut er(cute - cuter)
whit e– whit er(white - whiter)
- In adjectives on -y, final -y changes to -i,
bus y– bus i er (busy - more busy)
laz y– laz i er (lazy - lazier)
- If the adjective ends in a consonant preceded by a short vowel, it is doubled.
bi g- bi gg er (large - 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 to understand which way to choose?
Some manuals say that adjectives ending in -e, -er, -ow, -le should be added with -er, and with the rest of the words more \ less. But in practice this is not always the case, it is easier to be guided by these simple principles:
- In most cases, k two-syllable adjectives form a comparative degree with the help of 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's grammatically correct anyway.
Trisyllabic adjectives
In all cases, three- and more-complex adjectives form the form of the comparative degree with the help of more \ less(more \ less).
beautiful - more beautiful (beautiful - more beautiful)
reliable - more reliable (reliable - more reliable)
Superlative degree of adjectives (Superlative Degree)
The superlative degree is used when one object (person, phenomenon) surpasses all others in some way, is “the most-most”.
The superlative degree of adjectives, like the comparative, can be formed in two ways:
- With the end -est.
- With the help of words most\least(most \ least).
Please note that adjectives (more precisely, the nouns they define) are used in superlatives with the article the, since we are talking about some kind of very-very, and therefore a unique subject:
the nearest town - the nearest city,
the longest journey - the longest journey.
The way the superlative degree is formed depends on the number of syllables in the word.
One-syllable adjectives
One-syllable adjectives form a comparative degree with the ending -est.
broad - the broad est(wide - widest)
fine - the fin est(elegant - the most elegant)
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 omitted before -est
cut e– cut est(cute - the cutest)
whit e– the whit est(white is the whitest)
- In adjectives on -y, final-y changes to -i
bus y– the bus i est (busy - busiest)
laz y– the laz i est (lazy - the laziest)
- If the adjective ends in a consonant preceded by a short vowel, it is doubled.
bi g– bi gg est (big - biggest)
thi n– the thi nn est (thin - thinnest)
Two-syllable adjectives
The situation is the same as with the comparative degree. Somewhere it is written that adjectives with -e, -er, -ow, -le should be added with -er, and with the rest of the words more \ less. 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 the superlative with -er.
- When in doubt, use the method with the addition most\least- He's unbeatable.
Trisyllabic adjectives
In all cases, three- or more complex adjectives form the superlative form with the help of 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 formation of degrees of comparison
Some adjectives in English form degrees of comparison in a non-standard way, they need to be remembered.
| positive degree | comparative | Superlatives |
|---|---|---|
| Good | Better | best |
| Bad | Word | Worst |
| Little | Less | Least |
| Much | More | Most |
| Far | Further | furthest |
Sentences with comparative and superlative adjectives
In a sentence, degrees of comparison are used according to formulas similar to similar constructions in Russian
comparative
When comparing one object with another, the than union is used.
My bike is faster than your car. - My bike faster than your car.
Martin swims slower than Kate. – Martin swims slower than Kate.
It is better than nothing. - It better than nothing.
As in Russian, the subject with which the comparison is made can only be implied.
The book is better(than the movie). - Book better(than a movie).
My boat is more comfortable(than yours). - my boat more convenient(than yours).
Superlatives
In superlative sentences, than is not used because there is no comparison.
This is the best day in my life. - It 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 based on a simple formula:
The + comparative degree, the + comparative degree.
The phrase can be supplemented with other words, but its basis is just 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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Comparative adjectives are used to compare two or more objects with each other: objects, people, animals, etc. Bigger, smaller, prettier, faster, cheaper, better, smarter, braver, smarter, more daring- these are all comparative degrees of adjectives in Russian.
In English, adjectives also have a comparative degree ( comparative adjectives or simply comparative): bigger, less, more beautiful, faster, cheaper, better, cleverer, braver, more intelligent, more daring
The rules for the formation of comparative adjectives are very easy to understand, and to develop fluency you need experience, you need to repeat them more often, and it is better to repeat phrases, phrases or whole sentences. How to remember better, you can read in the article.
In this article, we will give many examples of the formation and use of the comparative degree of adjectives in English.
Comparative adjectives. Education rules. Examples.
Look at the table:
1. Examples for comparative adjectives formed from monosyllabic ones:
This coffee is very weak. I like it a bit stronger. (This coffee is very weak. I like a little stronger)
Going by bus is cheaper than by train. (The bus ride is cheaper than the train ride)
The weather is very cold today. I expected it to be warmer.(The weather is cold today. I expected it to be warmer)
The water is colder today than it was two days ago. (The water is colder today than it was two days ago)
Mike studies harder than his brother. (Mike studies harder than his brother)
This building is higher than that one. (This building is taller than that one)
My daughter is thinner than her. (My daughter is thinner than her)
My sister is older than me. (My sister is older than me)
Can we walk a bit faster? (Can we go a little faster?)
Pay attention to the following subtleties:
1. After the comparative degree of adjectives, the union is often used than(than), emphasizing the object for comparison.
2. If a one-syllable adjective ends in -e, then in a comparative degree only -r: large - larger, late - later, wide - wider.
3. If a one-syllable adjective ends one vowel + one consonant, then the comparative degree duplicates the consonant: big-bigger, wet-wetter, thin-thinner
2. Examples of comparative adjectives formed from disyllabic adjectives ending in -y:
Yesterday I woke up earlier than usual (Yesterday I woke up earlier than usual)
you look happier today (You look happier today)
My bag seemed to get heavy as I carried it (My bag seemed to be heavier when I carried it)
We were busier at work today than usual (We were busier at work today than usual)
3. Examples of the comparative degree of adjectives formed from disyllabic and more adjectives
I think Hungarian is more difficult than Spanish. (I think Hungarian is harder than Spanish)
For lanuage learners, enthusiasm is more important than talent. (For language learners, enthusiasm is more important than talent)
I expected the hotel to be more expensive. (I expected the hotel to be more expensive)
I'd like to do something more interesting(I would like to do something more interesting)
Why don't you phone me more often? (Why don't you call me more often?)
I'd like to have a more reliable car (I would like to have a more reliable car)
unfortunately his illness more serious than we thought at first. (Unfortunately, his illness was more serious than we thought at first)
4. Exceptions.
Some words do not follow the general rules and form their comparative adjectives in a special way. They are called wrong IRREGULAR:
A holiday by the sea is better than a holiday in the mountains. (A holiday by the sea is better than a holiday in the mountains)
The warmer the weather the better I feel. (The warmer the weather, the better I feel)
I can't walk any further. (I can't go on)
The traffic is worse than usual today. (Traffic worse than usual today)
The weather got worse and worse. (weather gets worse and worse)
His English is becoming better from day to day. (His English is getting better day by day)
Every day we compare different things: this car is better than that one, and the other, in general, is the best. One person is prettier than the other. And someone considers himself the most beautiful.Today you will learn about the degrees of comparison of adjectives in English: what they are and how they are formed.
What is an adjective?
An adjective is a word denoting a quality (attribute) possessed by an object or person. For example: tall, clear, smart.
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What are the degrees of comparison of adjectives?
Depending on what we are comparing, we can distinguish several degrees of comparison. Let's look at examples of how we can compare items.
1. Comparison of 2 items on a common basis.
- And we need to understand who has more of these qualities.
We can compare these apples by their redness.
Note that we can only compare things if they have the same qualities. For example, we cannot compare these apples by their redness:
2. Comparison of an object with it, but at different times.
- We have an object (person) that has some quality in some period of time.
- There is the same subject, but in a different period of time.
- And we need to understand what has changed in this quality over this period.
Apples can be compared by freshness:
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3. Comparison of objects with each other, in order to identify the one with the most pronounced feature.
- We have an object (person) that has some quality.
- There are other items that have the same qualities.
- And we understand which object (person) of them all is the best in terms of these qualities.
This is the reddest apple of all the apples on this plate.
Thus, we can distinguish 2 degrees of comparison:
- Comparative - we compare objects on the basis (1 and 2 examples).
- Excellent - we compare objects in order to identify an object with the most pronounced feature (3rd example).
Now we will consider each degree of comparison separately.
How is the comparative degree of adjectives formed in English
We need it to compare something or someone with each other. For example, one car is more expensive than another, my girlfriend is older than me.
Depending on the adjective, there are 2 forms of the comparative degree:
1. A simple form of comparative degree formed with adjectives that have one, two or three syllables. For example: soft (soft), new (new), dirty (dirty), calm (quiet), cool (cool), deep (deep).
2. A complex form of a comparative degree formed with adjectives that have three or more syllables. For example: dangerous (dangerous), frightened (scared), effective (effective), handsome (cute), interesting (interesting), surprised (surprised).
1. A simple form of the comparative degree of adjectives formed by adding the ending -er.
adjective + -er
Small (small) - small er(less);
sweet (sweet) - sweet er(sweeter).
For example
Your hair is long er than mine.
Your hair is longer than mine.
Her car is cheap er than his.
Her car is cheaper than his.
A little lower we will tell you what are the nuances when adding -er.
2. Complex form of the comparative degree adjectives is formed using the words more (more) or less (less), which are placed before the adjective.
more/ less+ adjective
Cheerful (happy) - more cheerful (happier);
strange (strange) - less strange (less strange).
For example
Explain your ideas more clearly.
Explain your idea more clearly.
This book is more interesting than that.
This book is more interesting than that one.
Rules for adding the ending -er
1. If the adjective ends in -e, then only the letter -r is added:
larg e(huge) - larg er(larger);
simple e(simple) - simpl er(easier).
Boys are brav er than girls.
Boys are braver than girls.
2. The last consonant is doubled if it is preceded by a vowel:
b ig(large) - bi gger(more);
h ot(hot)-ho ter(hot).
China is bi gger than Japan.
China is bigger than Japan.
3. If the adjective ends in -y, then -y changes to -i:
dr y(dry)-dr ier(dry);
eas y(easy) - eas ier(easier).
He was luck ier than many painters.
He was more successful than many artists.
How the superlative degree of adjectives is formed in English
We need superlatives to show that the item has the best characteristics: the largest, the most expensive, the best. For example: "This is the most talented writer I have ever read."
Depending on the adjective, there are 2 superlative forms.
1. Simple form of superlatives formed with adjectives that have one, two or three syllables.
2. Complex form of superlatives It is used with adjectives that have three or more syllables.
1. Simple form of superlatives adjectives formed by adding the ending -est. Before the adjective itself, we put the article the.
the+ adjective + -est
The rules for adding the -est ending are the same as for the -er endings.
Small (small) - the small est(the smallest);
easy (easy) - the easy est(the easiest).
Examples
2. Complex form of superlatives adjectives is formed using the words most (most) or least (least), which are placed before the adjective. Before these words we put the article the.
the + most/least +adjective
beautiful (beautiful) - the most beautiful( most beautiful);
interesting (interesting) - theleast interesting( least interesting or most not interesting).
For example
How much is the most expensive car?
How much is the most expensive car?
Summer is the most favorite season of mine.
Summer is my favorite time of the year.
He is the least talented actor in our class.
He is the least talented actor in our class.
Exception adjectives in the comparative degree in English
In English, there are adjectives whose comparative and superlative degrees are not formed according to the rules. The only option is to remember them. Here are the most common ones.
| Adjective | comparative | Superlatives |
| good good |
better better |
the best the best |
| bad bad |
worse worse |
the worst the worst |
| little small |
less less |
the least least |
| many/much numerous |
more more |
the most greatest |
| old (about family members) old |
elder older |
the eldest oldest |
| late late |
later the last one listed |
the last last in order |
Examples
The weather today is worse than yesterday.
The weather today is worse than yesterday.
This pen is the best.
This pen is the best.
So, today we have analyzed the comparative and superlative degrees of comparison of adjectives. If you have any questions, ask them in the comments.
Reinforcement task
Now put the following adjectives into comparative and superlative forms:
- expensive,
- strong,
- loud,
- dangerous,
- high,
- clever,
- interesting,
- dirty,
- lazy,
- generous,
- clean,
- rich,
- good,
- important.
Leave your answers in the comments below the article.
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