Nice in superlatives. Degrees of comparison of adjectives in English

English adjectives do not change by gender, case or number, which makes them easier to learn. Most often, adjectives play the role of a definition and stand before the noun (the word being defined), but after the article. Example: an interesting book - an interesting book. They can also play the role of the nominal part of the predicate. In this case they come after the linking verb. Example: The table is big. - The table is large. (is – linking verb)

Degrees of comparison of adjectives

As in Russian, English adjectives form degrees of comparison. There are three degrees of comparison of adjectives: positive, comparative and superlative.

Positive degree

A basic form that simply reports quality or quantity. Example: a nice day - a beautiful day.

comparative

Used when comparing qualities. The comparative degree of adjectives in English can be formed by adding the suffix -er or using a construction with the word more (more). Using –er, one-syllable adjectives (except right and wrong) are formed into the comparative degree, as well as some two-syllable adjectives: all ending in -y, as well as the adjectives clever, narrow, quiet, simple, fat - fatter (fatter) easy (light) - easier (easier). Only with the help of more are some two-syllable adjectives formed (in particular, all ending in -ing, -ed, -ful and -less), as well as adjectives consisting of three or more syllables. In case of doubt, the method of forming the comparative degree of two-syllable adjectives should be determined in the dictionary. Examples:

This boy is stronger than his friend. – The boy is stronger than his friend.
This book is more interesting than his. – This book is more interesting than his (book).
These examples demonstrate word order in sentences containing comparative adjective constructions. Let us depict this structure as follows: object + (is) linking verb + comparative adjective + than (than) + object.

Superlative

The superlative degree of adjectives in English can be formed using the suffix –est, or using the construction with the word most. With the help of – est, one-syllable adjectives (except right and wrong) are formed as superlatives, as well as some two-syllable adjectives: all ending in -y, as well as the adjectives clever, narrow, quiet, simple, thin - the thinnest (the thinnest) lovely (lovely) - the loveliest (the most charming). Most is used to form the superlative of some two-syllable adjectives (in particular, all those ending in -ing, -ed, -ful and -less), as well as adjectives consisting of three or more syllables. In case of doubt, the method of forming the superlative degree of two-syllable adjectives should be determined in the dictionary. Examples:
The boy is the strongest in his class. – This boy is the strongest in his class.
This book is the most interesting. – This is the most interesting book.

Structure: object + (is) copula verb + (the) article + superlative adjective.
Please note that superlative adjectives are usually used with the definite article the (or possessive pronoun). Several adjectives do not form the comparative and superlative degrees according to general rules or have several comparative forms.

comparative is needed mainly to compare some things with others. After all, you must agree that it would be difficult to explain without comparing any objects. Every day in our dialect such comparative adjectives as “beautiful, better, warmer, colder, cooler, etc.” are scrolled through, we just may not notice it. Therefore, the entire topic below is important for digestibility and is presented with accessible simplicity.

How to turn a positive adjective into a comparative adjective?

First, let's figure out what is the positive degree of an adjective? It's simple. The positive degree of an adjective is the original form of an adjective that indicates the quality of an object and is used without any comparison with other objects. Eg:

• It's beautiful day – Beautiful day.
• My teacher is very young - My teacher is too young.
• They're very friendly people – They are very friendly people.
• It's an expensive restaurant - This is an expensive restaurant.
• The rooms are very small – The rooms are very small.

Another question may arise here. What is the comparative degree of an adjective? And here everything is even simpler. A comparative adjective is a form of an adjective that indicates the quality of one thing in relation to another thing. For example:

• Vegetables are cheaper than meat – Vegetables are cheaper than meat.
• This bag of potatoes is heavier than that bag of tomatoes – This bag of potatoes is heavier than that bag of tomatoes.
• Spain is warmer than England – Spain is warmer than England.
• This new car is faster than my old one – This new car is faster than my old one.
• Sarah is older than her brother – Sarah is older than her brother.

Feel the difference? Now we will return to the main question: how to convert an adjective from a positive degree to a comparative degree?

When converting, the standard for all adjectives is to add the suffix “-er” to the end of the word. For example:

In English, when making comparisons, the conjunction “than” is often used:

• The coast road to the town is shorter than the mountain road – The road along the embankment to the city is shorter than the road through the mountains.
• My father is younger than my mother - My father is younger than my mother.
• His new mobile is smaller than his old one - His new mobile phone is smaller than his old one.
• The Empire State building is taller than the Statue of Liberty - The Empire State Building is taller than the Statue of Liberty.
• Wool is warmer than cotton – Wool is warmer than cotton.

However, there are always a number of the following conversion rules that must be followed:

1. For two-syllable adjectives ending with a consonant and “-y”: change “-y” to “-i” + suffix “-er”:

Examples:

• English is easier than Japanese – English is easier than Japanese.
• My suitcase is heavier than your suitcase - My suitcase is heavier than your suitcase.
• Your car is dirtier than mine - Your car is dirtier than mine.
• His new girlfriend is prettier than your Julia - His new girlfriend is prettier than your Julia.
• Last time she was happier than today - Last time she was happier than today.

2. If a one-syllable adjective ends in a vowel and a consonant: add the last consonant + the suffix “-er”:

Examples:

• The Grand Hotel is bigger than is the Sea View Hotel – “The Grand Hotel” is bigger than “The Sea View Hotel”.
• My cup of tea is hotter than yours - My cup of tea is hotter than yours.
• Mike is fatter than John - Mike is fatter than John.
• The screw-driver is thinner than mine – This screwdriver is thinner than mine.

3. To adjectives ending in “-e”, add only one suffix “-r”:

For example:

• My arguments are truer than yours - My arguments are truer than yours.
• Her shirt is whiter than her girlfriends’ – Her shirt is whiter than her friend’s.
• Wheels of your car is larger than wheels of mine – The wheels of your car are larger than the wheels of mine.

4. Before two-syllable adjectives that do not end in “-y” and before adjectives that consist of 3 or more syllables, when converting to the comparative degree, add the service word “more” without adding a suffix:

For example:

• The train is more expensive than the bus - The train is more expensive than the bus.
• Drivers in this country are more careless than drivers in my country – Drivers in this country are more careless than drivers in my country.
• The exam today was more difficult than last year’s exam - Today’s exam was more difficult than last year’s exam.
• The students ask more intelligent questions than they did before - Students ask more intelligent questions than they asked before.
• Her second book is more interesting than her first - Her second book is more interesting than her first.

5. We also cannot do without exceptions, which, when transformed, take on a completely different form than in all of the above points:

For example:

• Ms. Davies is a better teacher than Mr. Andrews – Mrs. Davis is a better teacher than Mr. Andrews.
• These boots are worse than those that we received last year - These boots are worse than those that we were given last year.
• I’ve less money than you have - I have less money than you.
• From here to Moscow is farther than to St. Petersburg – From here it is further to Moscow than to St. Petersburg.

To strengthen the expression, we can insert adverbs such as a bit (a little), a lot (much), much (significantly) before comparative adjectives:

• She’s a lot happier now - She’s much happier now.
• I’m a bit older than you - I’m a little older than you.
• This book is much more interesting than the other one - This book is much more interesting than the others.

This concludes this post. Perhaps you would like to ask or add something to this article. If so, please leave your comment below. Good luck.

Expressing various degrees of quality inherent in the object whose name is determined by this adjective or adverb. These degrees are positive(Positive Degree), comparative(Comparative Degree), excellent(Superlative Degree).

Positive degree (interesting - interesting) adjectives are called their basic form, which does not express the degree of comparison.

Comparative degree (more interesting - more interesting)(comparative) adjectives. The comparative degree allows you to compare objects.

If the adjective consists of 1 syllable, the ending -er is added: nice -nicer; big - bigger. If there are two syllables and the ending of the verb in the base form is -y, the ending changes to -ier: heavy - heavier; early - earlier. If the adjective is long (consists of 2/3/4 syllables), the word more is used - more: expensive - more expensive.

Superlative degree (the most interesting - the most interesting)(superlative) adjectives. The superlative degree of adjectives in English is necessary to indicate the quality to which the word “most” can be added.

Don't forget to add the article the! If the adjective consists of 1 syllable, the ending the...-est is added: nice - the nicest; big - the biggest. If there are two syllables and the ending of the verb in the base form is -y, the ending changes to the...-iest: heavy - the heaviest; early - the earliest. If the adjective is long (consists of 2/3/4 syllables), the word most is used - the most (most): expensive - the most expensive.

After adjectives, superlatives should be used in with cities, buildings, etc. exceptions: of my life, of the year. For example, It's one of the oldest castles in Britain. - This is one of the oldest castles in Great Britain. It was one of the worst experience of my life. - It was one of the worst experiences of my life.

Rule the... the...

Rule than... the... (the... the...) You can use the... the... with two comparative adjectives to show the dependence of one on the other. For example:

The warmer the weather, the better I feel. - The warmer the weather, the better I feel.

The harder he works, the more money he get. - The more he works, the more money he gets.

The more electricity you use, the higher your bill will be. - The more electricity you use, the higher your utility bill will be.

The bigger, the better.- The bigger, the better.

The greater your storm, the brighter your rainbow.

Rule as ... as /than

Rule so... as... (or such... as...) (as... as...). Between as and as only an adjective is used without a comparative or superlative degree. For example:

… as often as he could... - as often as he could

>Degrees of comparison of adjectives and adverbs in English (comparative and superlative)

Degrees of comparison of adjectives and adverbs in English (comparative and superlative). Degrees of Comparison of Agjectives and Adverbs (Comparatives and Superlatives)

Here you can take a lesson on the topic: Degrees of comparison of adjectives and adverbs in English (comparative and superlative). Degrees of Comparison of Agjectives and Adverbs (Comparatives and Superlatives).

One of the most important parts of a sentence in English is adjective(Adjective). This is a part of speech that identifies objects, persons and phenomena. Adjectives usually answer the question what? (Which?). In English sentences, adjectives can characterize nouns, or to complete the predicate. For example:

It is a beautiful city. - This is a beautiful city.
This house looks big. - This house looks big.

In this lesson we will look at the main types and qualities of adjectives, their degrees of comparison, as well as their similarity to such a part of speech as an adverb.

I. In English there are three types of adjectives: simple, derivative and complex.

1. Simple adjectives consist of one root. For example:

new - new
blue - blue

2. Derived adjectives have certain suffixes and prefixes. For example:

Beautiful - beautiful
un safe - unsafe

3. Compound adjectives consist of two or more words. For example:

light blue - light blue
well-written - well written

II. English adjectives are also divided into two main categories: qualitative and relative.

1. Qualitative adjectives directly describe objects, indicating characteristics that are more or less inherent to them. For example:

clever - smart
large - big
heavy - heavy

2. Relative adjectives indirectly characterize objects, pointing out features that are not present in them. For example:

central - central
rural - rural
English - English

There are much fewer relative adjectives, and they differ from qualitative ones in that they do not form a degree of comparison, do not have antonyms, and the words “very” and “too” are not used with them.

III. English adjectives, unlike Russian ones, do not change by gender, number or case. For example:

red dresses - red dresses
big table
blue stain
with a warm blanket

The only changes are related to degree of comparison. Thus, all adjectives (except relative) have comparative and superlative degrees of comparison. A special category of English adverbs may also have degrees of comparison. This adverbs of manner(Adverbs of manner). Let's look at each degree in more detail:

1. comparative(Comparative degree). This adjective conversion is used to compare one thing with another. Adverbs can also be used comparatively.

a. All monosyllabic adjectives and adverbs form the comparative degree by adding the suffix -er. For example:

old - older (old - older)
small - smaller (small - smaller)
fast - faster (fast/fast - faster)

Here are some things to consider spelling rules:

If the word is already ends with the letter -e, then to form the comparative degree only the suffix -r is added. For example:

Safe - safer (safe - safer)
nice - nicer (nice - nicer)

If the word ends with the letter -y, then the suffix -ier is added. For example:

easy - easier (easy / easy - easier)
dirty - dirtier (dirty/dirty - dirtier)

If the word consists one syllable and ends with one vowel and one consonant, then when adding the suffix -er, the final consonant is doubled. For example:

hot -hotter (hot - hotter)
big - bigger

b. More complex adjectives and adverbs consisting of two, three or more syllables, form the comparative degree by using the comparative word more in front of them. For example:

polite - more polite(polite - more polite)
Danerous - more dangerous(dangerous - more dangerous)
friendly - more friendly (friendly / friendly - more friendly)

c. Some two-syllable adjectives and adverbs ending in –y, -er, -ow, -le can also form the comparative degree using the suffix -er (-r). For example:

healthy - healthier (healthy - healthier)
clever - cleverer / possible form and more clever (smart - smarter)
shallow - shallower (small - smaller)
pale - paler (pale - paler)

d. There are also a number of exceptions that do not fall under the general rules. Among them:

good/ well - better (good/ good - better)
bad/ badly - worse (bad/ bad - worse)
far - farther/ further (far - further)
much/ many - more (much - more, more)
little - less (little - less, less)

e. With adjectives and adverbs that have more than two syllables, to express not more, but lesser degree of comparison, the word less is used. For example:

less useful - less useful
less beautiful - less beautiful
less quickly - less quickly

f. Sometimes to enhance the comparison, before adjectives and adverbs in the comparative degree, the word much is used. For example:

much more expensive - much more expensive
much bigger - much more
much faster - much faster

g. In sentences that use comparison, as a rule, there is special word for comparison - than(how). Let's look at some examples:

My brother is taller than me. - My brother is taller than me.
Their children are more polite than we expected. - Their children are more polite than we expected.
The plane is faster than the train. - A plane is faster than a train.

h. It is worth paying special attention phonetic side comparative degree. Thus, the suffix -er is pronounced very weakly and conveys the sound /ə/. For example:

larger /"la:dʒə/ - larger
happier /"hæpiə/ - happier
whiter /"waitə/ - whiter

i. The comparative degree is often found in English proverbs. For example:

Actions speak louder than words. - Actions speak louder than words./ More action, less words.
The more the merrier. - The more, the merrier. / In cramped conditions, but not in offence.
The nearer the bone, the sweeter the flesh. - The closer to the bone, the sweeter the meat./ The leftovers are sweet.
The remedy is worse than the disease. - The medicine is worse than the disease./ It does not cure, but cripples.
Two heads are better than one. - Two heads are better than one.
Stretch your arm no further than your sleeve will reach. - Extend your arm no longer than your sleeve. / Stretch your legs along the clothes.
Friend's frown is better than a foe's smile. - The frown of a friend is better than the smile of an enemy. / Better is the bitter truth of a friend than the flattery of an enemy.
Better a lean peace than a fat victory. - A bad peace is better than a good quarrel.
Better a little fire to warm us, than a great one to burn us. - It’s better to have a small fire to warm than a big one to burn. / A little of the good stuff.
Better be born lucky than rich. - It’s better to be born lucky than rich./ Don’t be born beautiful, but be born happy.

2. Superlative(Superlative degree) adjectives are used to express the highest degree of quality. Adverbs can also change according to the superlative degree of comparison.

a. Monosyllabic adjectives and adverbs form superlatives by adding the suffix -est, and are also used in combination with the definite article. For example:

small -smaller - the smallest (small - less - the smallest)
cheap - cheaper - the cheapest (cheap - cheaper - the cheapest)
high - higher - the highest (high - higher - the highest)
hard - harder - the hardest(difficult/difficult - more difficult - the most difficult)

For adjectives and adverbs in the superlative degree the same applies. spelling rules, as for to a comparative extent. For example:

nice - nicer - the nicest (nice - nicer - the most pleasant)
funny - funnier - the funniest (funny - funnier - the funniest)
sad - sadder - the saddest (sad - sadder - the saddest)

b. Adjectives and adverbs containing two, three or more syllables, form superlatives using the phrase the most. For example:

famous - more famous - the most famous (famous - more famous - the most famous)
expensive - more expensive - the most expensive (expensive - more expensive - the most expensive)
careful - more careful - the most careful (cautious/ careful - more careful - the most careful)
generous - more geneous - the most generous (generous - more generous - the most generous)

c. Also, as with comparative adjectives and adverbs, there are exceptions to the superlative degree. For example:

good/ well - better - the best (good/ good - better - the best)
bad/ badly - worse - the worst(bad/bad - worse - the worst)
far - farther/ further - the farthest/ the furthest(distant - further - the most distant)
much/many - more - the most (many) o - more, more - the biggest)
little-less - the least(small - less, less - the smallest)

d. Sometimes with disyllabic or polysyllabic adjectives and adverbs the phrase the least is used to express the least degree. For example:

the least dangerous - the least dangerous (the least dangerous)
the least reliable - the least reliable (the least reliable)
the least careful - the least careful (the least careful)

e. Superlatives are also sometimes found in English proverbs. For example:

Stolen pleasures are sweetest. - Pleasures on the sly are the sweetest./ The forbidden fruit is always sweet.
The longest day has an end. - And the longest day has an end. / No matter how much the rope twists, there will always be an end.
The darkest place is under the candlestick. - The darkest place is under the candle./ He’s smart, but he doesn’t see under his nose.
Best defense is offense. - The best defense is attack.

Thus, we examined in more detail the member of the sentence - the adjective, its degrees of comparison (comparative and superlative), as well as the degrees of comparison of adverbs. At the same time, we became familiar with some spelling and pronunciation rules. When reading proverbs and other passages of text, pay attention to the use of adjectives, adverbs and their degrees of comparison, as they can have great semantic meaning.

In English, the adjective does not change according to gender, case and number. But it is not without degrees of comparison. He has three of them: positive, comparative and superlative.

Part of speech

Before moving on to the question of “Degrees of comparison of adjectives in English,” it is necessary to understand what an adjective is. This is a part of speech that answers the questions “Which?”, “Which?”, “Whose?” and denotes a sign, property of an object, phenomenon or person. English adjectives, unlike their Russian counterparts, are not declined, that is, they do not change according to cases, genders and numbers. If we need to describe or evaluate an object, then we simply “take” the adjective and put it in front of the noun:

A wonderful day - a wonderful day.

3 degrees of comparison of adjectives

All adjectives in English are divided into two types: quality And relative . There is one significant difference between them - we can compare words of one type, but not another. For example, the lexical unit “glass - glassy” is a relative adjective, and in relation to it it is impossible to say “glasser - more glassy”. As for qualitative ones, they can be presented in three degrees of comparison: positive (cold) - comparative (colder) - excellent (coldest).

Rules for the formation of degrees and examples

Positive and comparative

Positive degree - this is the initial form of a qualitative adjective, which is enshrined in the dictionary: big - large, sad - sad, tender - tender. It describes a sign or property of an object.

When the need arises to compare the characteristics of two or more objects, the comparative degree comes into play. How is it formed? The comparative degree of adjectives in English can be formed in two ways:

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• If a word consists of one or two syllables, then the ending is added to it -er :

clean - cleaner (clean - cleaner), great - greater (great - greater), sharp - sharper (sharp - sharper).

• more (more) or less (less) :

delicate - more delicate (gentle - more gentle), terrible - more terrible (terrible - more terrible), difficult - less difficult (difficult - less complex).

Superlative

Superlative does not tolerate any comparison. She surpasses everyone and does not hide it, because she is the most, the most of the many. In both comparative and superlative forms, before you start forming new forms of adjectives, you need to ask yourself how many syllables there are in a word. Depending on the subsequent answer, two methods of education are distinguished:

• If a word consists of one or two syllables, then the definite article is added to it the and ending -est :

clean - the cleanest (clean - the cleanest), great - the greatest (great - the greatest), sharp - the sharpest (sharp - the sharpest).

• If a word consists of three syllables or more, then an additional word appears before it most (most) or least (least) with the definite article the:

delicate - the most delicate (gentle - the most gentle), terrible - the most terrible (terrible - the most terrible), difficult - the least difficult (difficult - the least difficult).

If an adjective consisting of one or two syllables ends with a silent vowel -e, then when adding the endings -er or -est it is omitted: cute - cuter - cutest (lovely - more charming - most charming). If a short adjective ends in -y, then when adding -er or -est, this letter changes to -i: hungry - hungrier - hungriest (hungry - hungrier - the hungriest). If a short adjective ends with a vowel and a consonant, then adding the ending -er or -est doubles the final consonant: fat - fatter - fattest (thick - thicker - the fattest).

Exceptions

In English there is a list of adjectives that are exceptions to the general rule of forming degrees of comparison. There are not many of them, so it won’t be difficult to learn them by heart:

good - better - (the) best (good - better - best);
bad - worse - (the) worst (bad - worse - worst);
little - less - (the) least (small - less - smallest);
many (much) - more - (the) most (many - more - greatest);
far - farther/further - (the) farthest / furthest (far - more distant / more distant - the farthest / furthest);
old - older/elder - (the) oldest/eldest (old - older/older - the oldest/oldest).

In the list of exceptions, you need to pay attention to the meaning of the following words: farther - farthest (used to describe distance), further - furthest (used in a broader sense, additional, further in order,) older - oldest (used to describe age), elder - eldest (used to describe seniority in a family).

What have we learned?

In the 6th grade, the lesson is studying the topic “Comparative and superlative adjectives in English,” which we discussed in this article. There is no declension of adjectives in English. They change only when degrees of comparison are formed. There are three of them in the language: positive, comparative and superlative.

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