Adjectives ( Adjectives ) are words that express qualities, attributes of objects. They answer the question which?. In a sentence, they usually define a noun. AT English language they do not change either by gender, or by numbers, or by cases:
a little girl - a little girl
a little boy - little boy
little children - little children
With a little boy - with a little boy.
Adjectives change only in degrees of comparison (Degrees of Comparison). There are three degrees of comparison of adjectives: positive (Positive Degree), comparative (Comparative Degree), excellent (Superlative Degree).
Rules for the formation of degrees of comparison of adjectives.
Adjectives in a positive degree do not have any endings, for example: quick (fast), slow (slow), old (old), new (new). Comparative and superlative degrees are formed using the suffixes -er and -est or by adding the words more (more) and most (most). The choice of method depends on the original form of the adjective.
One-syllable and some two-syllable adjectives form the comparative with the suffix -er and the superlative with the suffix -est. With the help of the suffixes -er, -est, two-syllable adjectives ending in -er, -ow, -y, -le (clever, narrow, early, simple) form degrees of comparison.
Here are some examples:
One-syllable and two-syllable adjectives
| positive degree | comparative | Superlatives |
|---|---|---|
| high - high | higher - higher, higher | highest - the highest |
| small - small | smaller - less | smallest - smallest, smallest |
| strong - strong | stronger - stronger, stronger | strongest - the strongest |
| cheap - cheap | cheaper - cheaper, cheaper | cheapest - the cheapest |
| quick - fast | quicker - faster | quickest - the fastest |
| new - new | newer - newer | newest - the newest |
| clean - clean | cleaner - cleaner, cleaner | cleanest - the cleanest |
| cold - cold | colder - colder, colder | coldest - the coldest |
| short - short | shorter - shorter, shorter | shortest - the shortest |
| great - great, big | greater - more | greatest - the greatest, greatest |
| weak - weak | weaker - weaker | weakest - the weakest |
| deep - deep | deeper - deeper, deeper | deepest - the deepest |
| low - low | lower - lower | lowest - the lowest |
| clever - smart | cleverer - smarter, smarter | cleverest - the smartest, the smartest |
| narrow - narrow | narrower - narrower | narrowest - the narrowest |
| shallow - small | shallower - smaller | shallowest - the smallest |
When writing, certain spelling rules must be observed.
1. If the adjective has a short vowel and ends in one consonant, then in the comparative degree and in the superlative degree this consonant is doubled:
big-bigger-big
big - more - largest, largest
Fat-fatter-fattest
thick, fat - thicker - the thickest
Wet-wetter-wettest
wet, wet – wetter – wettest
sad-sadder-saddest
sad, sad - more sad - the saddest
thin - thinner - thinnest
thin, thin - thinner - thinnest
2. If the adjective ends with a letter -y with a preceding consonant, then in the comparative and superlative degrees the letter y changes to i:
Easy - easier - easiest
light - lighter - lightest, lightest
early-earlier-earliest
early – earlier – earliest
dry-drier-driest
dry, arid – drier – driest
But the word shy (shy, fearful) does not obey this rule and forms degrees of comparison as follows:
shy - shyer - shyest.
3. If the adjective ends with a letter -e, then in comparative and superlative degrees is added -r, -st:
wide - wider - widest
wide - wider - widest, widest
late - later - latest
late – later – latest
fine-finer-finest
good, beautiful - better - the best
simple - simpler - simplest
simple - easier - simplest
Polysyllabic adjectives, i.e. adjectives of three or more syllables form degrees of comparison with more for the comparative and most for the superlative. Consider the following examples:
Polysyllabic adjectives
| positive degree | comparative | Superlatives |
|---|---|---|
| interesting - interesting | more interesting - more interesting | most interesting - the most interesting |
| beautiful - beautiful | more beautiful - more beautiful | most beautiful - the most beautiful |
| expensive - expensive | more expensive - more expensive | most expensive - the most expensive |
| difficult - difficult | more difficult - more difficult | most difficult - the most difficult |
| dangerous - dangerous | more dangerous - more dangerous | most dangerous - the most dangerous |
| important - important | more important - more important | most important - the most important |
| comfortable - comfortable | more comfortable - more comfortable | most comfortable - the most comfortable |
In the same way, i.e. using the words more for the comparative degree and most for the superlative degree, form degrees of comparison of some disyllabic words that end in -ed and -
Adjectives ( Adjectives ) are words that express qualities, attributes of objects. They answer the question which?. In a sentence, they usually define a noun. In English, they do not change either by gender, or by numbers, or by cases:
a little girl - a little girl
a little boy - little boy
little children - little children
With a little boy - with a little boy.
Adjectives change only in degrees of comparison (Degrees of Comparison). There are three degrees of comparison of adjectives: positive (Positive Degree), comparative (Comparative Degree), excellent (Superlative Degree).
Rules for the formation of degrees of comparison of adjectives.
Adjectives in a positive degree do not have any endings, for example: quick (fast), slow (slow), old (old), new (new). Comparative and superlative degrees are formed using the suffixes -er and -est or by adding the words more (more) and most (most). The choice of method depends on the original form of the adjective.
One-syllable and some two-syllable adjectives form the comparative with the suffix -er and the superlative with the suffix -est. With the help of the suffixes -er, -est, two-syllable adjectives ending in -er, -ow, -y, -le (clever, narrow, early, simple) form degrees of comparison.
Here are some examples:
One-syllable and two-syllable adjectives
| positive degree | comparative | Superlatives |
|---|---|---|
| high - high | higher - higher, higher | highest - the highest |
| small - small | smaller - less | smallest - smallest, smallest |
| strong - strong | stronger - stronger, stronger | strongest - the strongest |
| cheap - cheap | cheaper - cheaper, cheaper | cheapest - the cheapest |
| quick - fast | quicker - faster | quickest - the fastest |
| new - new | newer - newer | newest - the newest |
| clean - clean | cleaner - cleaner, cleaner | cleanest - the cleanest |
| cold - cold | colder - colder, colder | coldest - the coldest |
| short - short | shorter - shorter, shorter | shortest - the shortest |
| great - great, big | greater - more | greatest - the greatest, greatest |
| weak - weak | weaker - weaker | weakest - the weakest |
| deep - deep | deeper - deeper, deeper | deepest - the deepest |
| low - low | lower - lower | lowest - the lowest |
| clever - smart | cleverer - smarter, smarter | cleverest - the smartest, the smartest |
| narrow - narrow | narrower - narrower | narrowest - the narrowest |
| shallow - small | shallower - smaller | shallowest - the smallest |
When writing, certain spelling rules must be observed.
1. If the adjective has a short vowel and ends in one consonant, then in the comparative degree and in the superlative degree this consonant is doubled:
big-bigger-big
big - more - largest, largest
Fat-fatter-fattest
thick, fat - thicker - the thickest
Wet-wetter-wettest
wet, wet – wetter – wettest
sad-sadder-saddest
sad, sad - more sad - the saddest
thin - thinner - thinnest
thin, thin - thinner - thinnest
2. If the adjective ends with a letter -y with a preceding consonant, then in the comparative and superlative degrees the letter y changes to i:
Easy - easier - easiest
light - lighter - lightest, lightest
early-earlier-earliest
early – earlier – earliest
dry-drier-driest
dry, arid – drier – driest
But the word shy (shy, fearful) does not obey this rule and forms degrees of comparison as follows:
shy - shyer - shyest.
3. If the adjective ends with a letter -e, then in comparative and superlative degrees is added -r, -st:
wide - wider - widest
wide - wider - widest, widest
late - later - latest
late – later – latest
fine-finer-finest
good, beautiful - better - the best
simple - simpler - simplest
simple - easier - simplest
Polysyllabic adjectives, i.e. adjectives of three or more syllables form degrees of comparison with more for the comparative and most for the superlative. Consider the following examples:
Polysyllabic adjectives
| positive degree | comparative | Superlatives |
|---|---|---|
| interesting - interesting | more interesting - more interesting | most interesting - the most interesting |
| beautiful - beautiful | more beautiful - more beautiful | most beautiful - the most beautiful |
| expensive - expensive | more expensive - more expensive | most expensive - the most expensive |
| difficult - difficult | more difficult - more difficult | most difficult - the most difficult |
| dangerous - dangerous | more dangerous - more dangerous | most dangerous - the most dangerous |
| important - important | more important - more important | most important - the most important |
| comfortable - comfortable | more comfortable - more comfortable | most comfortable - the most comfortable |
In the same way, i.e. using the words more for the comparative degree and most for the superlative degree, form degrees of comparison of some disyllabic words that end in -ed and -
The adjective - the adjective in English means hallmark subject (subject) in three degrees. In accordance with the type (simple or complex, that is, monosyllabic or polysyllabic), it is possible to form a construction of a comparative or superlative degree of an adjective.
Words denoting colors (white, red, blue), qualities of a person and objects (prudent, strong, fearful, clean, wet) are all adjectives.
Rules for the formation of degrees of simple (monosyllabic) adjectives
- positive degree - positive degree;
- comparative degree - comparative degree;
- superlative degree- superlative.
A simple adjective is created by adding the suffix -est if the word is simple (monosyllabic). In addition, the superlative degree is characterized by adding to the adjective also definite article(the), since we are no longer talking about a simple subject (subject in a sentence or in a phrase), but about the best and most outstanding of its kind.
The simplest examples of the use of monosyllabic adjectives in the superlative degree of comparison:
- strong - the strongest (strong - the strongest or strongest);
- sharp - the sharpest (sharp - the sharpest or sharpest);
- clever - the cleverest (smart - the smartest or smartest);
- neat - the neatest (neat - the neatest or neatest);
- short - the shortest (short - the shortest or shortest);
- East or West home is best - East or West - home is better (an analogue of the Russian proverb "Away is good, but home is better").
If the adjective ends in -y, as in other similar words, that letter changes to -i. And only then a sign of superlative degree is added, that is, the ending -est:
- naughty - naughtiest (naughty - the most naughty);
- pretty - prettiest (charming - the most charming);
- dry - driest (dry - the driest);
- noisy - noisest (noisy - the noisiest);
- happy - happiest (happy - happiest);
- dirty - dirtiest (dirty - the dirtiest);
- messy - messiest (sloppy - the most sloppy).
The same rule is followed simple words: ugly (ugly, ugly), busy (busy).
An adjective ending in the vowel e loses the last letter:
- nice - nicest (good - the best or the nicest);
- white - whitest (white - the whitest or whitest);
- rare - rarest (rare - the rarest or rarest).
In simple one-syllable adjectives, after a short vowel, the consonant is doubled:
- big - biggest (big - biggest);
- fat - fattest (thick - the thickest);
- red - reddest (red - the reddest);
- hot - hottest (hot - the hottest).
The same rule includes the words: sad (sad, sad), hot (hot), wet (wet).
Suggestion examples:
Europe is the largest continent - Europe is the widest continent.
Oceania is the smallest continent - Oceania is the smallest continent.
Exceptions to the rules
The superlative degree of an adjective in English may not be formed according to the typical rules. These examples are people who study English at first, try to remember by heart or always have a cheat sheet with them:
- good - best (good - the best);
- bad - worst (bad - the worst);
- little - least (small - smallest);
- many, much - most (a lot - the most or the largest).
The adjective OLD (old) in addition to its exclusivity is distinguished by two forms of superlatives. The most common form:
- old - oldest (old - oldest or oldest).
But, if we are talking about family members (native people), a different form is used:
- old - eldest (old - oldest or oldest).
Usage examples
Exceptional superlative adjective. Usage examples:
My diploma work in the best - My graduate work the best.
This campaign has the worst production - This campaign has the worst production.
My son is the smallest in its class - My son is the smallest in his class.
This book is the oldest in my library - This book is the oldest in my library.
Our great-grandfather is the eldest member of the family - Our great-grandfather is the oldest member of the family.
Try to form the superlatives of the following adjectives:
- new (new);
- fast (fast);
- tall (high);
- cheap (cheap);
- expensive (expensive).
Formation of the degree of polysyllabic adjectives
A polysyllabic adjective is one in which there is more than one syllable, that is, a combination of a consonant and a vowel.
In this case, the exclusive construction more - the most, already familiar from the previous explanation, is used. The superlative degree from this combination is simply substituted for the adjective:
- comfortable - the most comfortable (comfortable - the most comfortable or most comfortable);
- interesting - the most interesting (interesting - the most interesting or most interesting).
The same with the words: popular (popular), beautiful (beautiful).
Other comparative constructions with adjectives
The superlative degree of an adjective can also be formed by other comparative constructions.
The union than (than) is used if the degree of quality of one object is compared with the degree of quality of another:
This room is larger than that - This room is larger than that one.
Better late than never - Better late than never.
Two heads are better than one - Two heads are better than one.
Green gallary is wider than red - The green gallery is wider than the red one.
Antarctida is bigger than Oceania - Antarctica is bigger than Oceania.
Use of the as…as construction (same...as, same...as). In this case, the adjective is compared in a positive degree between as and as:
This book is as interesting as that - This book is as interesting as that one.
Yellow car as fast as green - A yellow car is as fast as a green one.
This doctor as clever as that one - This doctor is as smart as that one.
Exercises to consolidate the learned
1) Quiz. Try to answer the questions using word constructions with comparative adjectives.
Which country is smaller? (Scotland or England)
Which country is begger? (Russia or Spain)
Which is the largest continent on our planet?
Which is the biggest ocean on our planet?
Which city is older? (Moscow or London)
Which is the smallest country? (Vatican City or Monaco)
2) Read the dialogue between two friends Alison and Tony and try to understand what they are talking about.
Alison: My cat is big. It is beautiful and neat. Your dog is messier than my cat.
Tony: My dog is bigger thn your cat. It is more beautiful than your cat.
Alison: My house is newer than your house. It is the newest in our street.
Tony: No, it's not. Your house is older than my house. Your garden is smaller than my garden.
Alison: Yes, it is. But it is more beautiful. It's the most beautiful garden in our city.
Tony: Our car is bigger, newer, more comfortable and more expensive than your car.
Alison's cat: Alison is as fast and clever as Tony.
Tony's dog: Tony is as fast and clever as Alison.
Degrees of comparison is a grammatical phenomenon characteristic of qualitative adjectives, that is, those that express certain qualities of a particular subject. The meaning of such degrees is to express this quality to a greater or lesser extent. There are three degrees of comparison of adjectives in English - they are positive, comparative and superlative. The positive degree is a qualitative adjective in its initial form (cold). Comparative degree - that in which this quality is already expressed in more(colder), and excellent - when the quality is expressed in its highest degree (coldest, coldest).
Cold - colder- the coldest - Cold - colder (than) - the coldest
Smart-smarter-the smartest - Smart - smarter - smartest
As you have noticed, adjectives of the superlative comparative degree acquire a “satellite” - the article the.
The hottest news of the week - The hottest news of the week (meaning - the hottest of all news)
The scariest movie I've ever seen - The scariest movie I've ever seen
The only exception is when a very high degree of quality is meant, but there is no comparison with another subject.
Sunrises are most beautiful there - There are extraordinarily beautiful sunrises
Ways of forming degrees of comparison of adjectives in English
English grammar distinguishes three ways of forming comparative degrees: synthetic (with the help of suffixes), analytical (with comparison words more-most, less-least) and suppletive (for special cases, such as good-better-the best). The ways of forming degrees of comparison of adjectives in English depend on the structure of the adjective.
Synthetic way used when the adjective contains one syllable, or two, with the stress on the last syllable.
Thin-thinner-the thinnest - Thin - thinner - the thinnest
Rude - ruder - the rudest - Rough - rougher (than) - the roughest
The same way applies to two-syllable words, with -ble, -er, -y, -some, -ow at the end
noble – nobler – noblest
tender - tenderer - tenderest
happy - happier - happiest
narrow-narrower-narrowest
But in order to correctly form a comparative degree, it is not enough just to “stick” a suffix at the end. There are a number of rules to follow.
Silent - e is omitted at the end of adjectives, do not try to double it.
Strange-stranger-the strangest - strange - stranger - the strangest
If the adjective ends with a short vowel and a consonant, the final consonant is doubled to form the comparative and superlative.
Hot-hotter-the hottest
Instead of the letter y, if the adjective ends in it, the suffix must be preceded by the letter i
Crazy-crazier-the craziest
Lazy-lazier-the laziest
Polysyllabic words form their own comparative forms by using auxiliary words more\less, for example
effective - more effective - the most effective
dangerous – more dangerous –the most dangerous
Recall that if we are not talking about comparison, but only about a high degree of quality, we do not use the article the, and the word itself takes on the meaning of “extremely” or “very”.
The suppletive method has absorbed those examples that are an exception to the general rules. There are few such words, but enough to put them in a separate category. For example:
good-better-best
bad - worse - worst
little - less - least
many - more - most
far-farther/further-farthest/furthest
old-older/elder-oldest/eldest
At the same time, when we say farther, we mean geographical range
I live farther from zoo than Mary - I live farther from the zoo than Mary
Further is used in a broader sense - "further information", "on other issues", etc.
You can find further information on our website.
Elder (senior) is used when talking about seniority in the family or social group(older sister, older brother), in most cases older is used as an indicator of age.
Compound adjectives in English
Compound adjectives in English form their degrees of comparison with the words more-most, or by changing the first element if the word consists of two parts separated by a hyphen. Especially when at the beginning of the word there is good- bad- well- and other adjectives that have their own form of education.
well-known – better-known – best-known
good-looking - better-looking - best-looking
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 don't obey 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)
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