The Formation of Degrees of Comparison
Positive degree | Comparative degree | Superlative degree | |
---|---|---|---|
a). | long gay big pretty |
longer gayer bigger prettier |
the longest the gayest the biggest the prettiest |
b). | useful correct difficult |
more useful more correct more difficult |
the most useful the most correct the most difficult |
c). | good bad many / much little |
better worse more less | the best the worst the most the least |
The Positive Degree
Usage: the positive degree is used to denote:1). a quality of a thing without comparing it to another thing;
2). the same degree of quality in two or more things (as… as, not so… as).
Key examples:
My room is large.
Ann’s room is as large as mine.
Jane’s room is not so large as Ann’s.
For study:
- Ann’s wardrobe is as dark as my wardrobe (or as mine).
- Ann’s writing table is as new as my writing table.
- Ann’s easy chair is as comfortable as my chair.
- Ann’s divan is as low as my divan.
- Jane’s wardrobe is not so dark as Ann’s.
- Jane’s writing table is not so new as Ann’s.
- Jane’s easy chair is not so comfortable as Ann’s.
- Jane’s divan is not so low as Ann’s.
The Comparative Degree
Usage: the comparative degree is used to express a higher degree of quality.Example:
The Scottish rivers are swifter than the rivers in England.
For study:
- The Scottish summer is cooler than the summer in England.
- The Scottish winter is colder than the winter in England.
- The Scottish population is fewer than the population of England.
- The Scottish towns are smaller than the towns of England.
- The Scottish mountains are more magnificent than the mountains of Wales.
The Superlative Degree
Usage: the superlative degree is used to express the highest degree of quality.Key example:
The Severn is the longest river in England.
For study:
- The Exe is the shortest river in England.
- The Thames is the busiest river in England.
- The Avon is the most peaceful river in England.
- The Wye is the most beautiful river in England.
- The Clyde is the most important river in Scotland.