Junior Inter: Degrees of Comparision

 There are three degrees of comparison in English

They are: the positive degree, the comparative degree and the superlative degree.

I. The Positive Degree:

In the positive degree the adjectives denote a certain degree of quality and without any comparison. The base form of the adjective is used in these sentence.

The painting is wonderful.

Akhila is an intelligent girl.  

II. The Comparative Degree:

Comparative degree is used to compare two persons, places or things. Generally than follows the comparative adjective/adverb.

This sentence is more impressive than the earlier one.

A Car is costlier than a bike.

III. The Superlative Degree:

The Superlative Degree denotes the highest degree of a quality and they are used to compare more than two. The definite article 'the' is used before the superlative degree.

Jupiter is the biggest planet.

Ramagundam is the hottest place in Telangana state.

Positive                   Comparative                  Superlative

good/well                 better                                   Best

bad                           worse                                   Worst

small                        smaller                                 smallest

soft                           softer                                   softest

hot                            hotter                                   hottest

big                            bigger                                  biggest

tasty                          tastier                                   tastiest

happy                       happier                                 happiest

easy                          easier                                    easiest

hard                          harder                                    hardest

high                          higher                                     highest

tall                            taller                                      tallest

slim                          slimmer                                 slimmest

low                           lower                                     lowest

heavy                       heavier                                   heaviest

thin                           thinner                                   thinnest

thick                         thicker                                   thickest

cheap                       cheaper                                  cheapest

costly                        costlier                                  costliest

useful                       more useful                            most useful

active                       more active                            most active

beautiful                  more beautiful                        most beautiful

harmful                    more harmful                         most harmful

dreadful                   more dreadful                         most dreadful

dangerous                more dangerous                      most dangerous

Examples:

1. Positive:            No other state in India is as small as Goa

    Comparative:    Goa is smaller than any other state in India.

    Superlative:       Goa is the smallest state in India.

2. Pos :    Very few men in the world are as rich as Mukesh Ambani.

   Com:    Mukesh Ambani is richer than many other men in the world.

   Sup:     Mukesh Ambani is one of the richest men in the world.

3.  Pos:    Some girls in the college are at least as short as Ravali.

   Com:    Ravali is not shorter than some other girls in the college.

    Sup:    Ravali is not the shortest of all the girls in the college.

Note: Superlative degree is not possible when there is comparision between two persons/ places/ things.