Degree of Comparison
Learn the three degrees of comparison in English — positive, comparative, and superlative — with rules, examples, and transformation.
Degree of Comparison
Adjectives (and some adverbs) change form to show degrees of comparison. There are three degrees:
- Positive Degree — describes one thing.
- Comparative Degree — compares two things.
- Superlative Degree — compares three or more things.
Examples
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| tall | taller | tallest |
| big | bigger | biggest |
| happy | happier | happiest |
| beautiful | more beautiful | most beautiful |
| good | better | best |
| bad | worse | worst |
| little | less | least |
| many/much | more | most |
Rules
1. Short adjectives (1 syllable) → add -er / -est.
- tall → taller → tallest
- fast → faster → fastest
2. Adjectives ending in y → change y to i, add -er/-est.
- happy → happier → happiest
3. Adjectives ending in a single consonant → double the consonant.
- big → bigger → biggest
- hot → hotter → hottest
4. Long adjectives (2+ syllables) → use more / most.
- beautiful → more beautiful → most beautiful
- intelligent → more intelligent → most intelligent
5. Irregular forms — memorize.
- good → better → best
- bad → worse → worst
Sentence Patterns
Positive
- Rahim is as tall as Karim.
Comparative
- Rahim is taller than Karim.
Superlative
- Rahim is the tallest boy in the class.
Transformation Among Degrees
Same meaning can be expressed in all three degrees.
Positive: No other boy in the class is as tall as Rahim.
Comparative: Rahim is taller than any other boy in the class.
Superlative: Rahim is the tallest boy in the class.
Common Mistakes
❌ He is more taller than me.
✅ He is taller than me.
❌ She is the most beautifullest girl.
✅ She is the most beautiful girl.
❌ Rahim is tallest of the two boys.
✅ Rahim is the taller of the two boys.
Quick Quiz
1. What is the comparative form of "happy"?
A. happier
B. more happy
Answer: A
2. Which is correct?
A. He is more better than me.
B. He is better than me.
Answer: B
Summary
- Adjectives have three degrees: positive, comparative, superlative.
- Short adjectives take -er / -est; long ones take more / most.
- Irregular forms must be memorized.
- Use than with comparatives and the with superlatives.