The adjective - an adjective in English denotes a distinctive feature of the subject (subject) in three degrees. In accordance with the type (simple or complex, that is, monosyllabic or polysyllabic), you can 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
Degrees of comparison of adjectives:
- positive degree - positive degree;
- comparative degree - comparative degree;
- superlative degree - superlative degree.
A simple superlative degree of an adjective is created by adding the suffix –est in case the word is simple (monosyllabic). In addition, the superlative degree is characterized by the addition of a certain adjective to the adjective.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 easiest examples of using one-syllable adjectives in the superlative degree:
- 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 an adjective ends in -y, as in other similar words, this 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 adorable);
- 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).
Simple words obey the same rule: ugly (ugly, ugly), busy (busy).
Adjective,ending in e vowel loses the last letter:
- nice - nicest (good - the best or the nicest);
- white - whitest (white is the whitest or whitest);
- rare - rarest (rare - the rarest or rarest).
In simple one-syllable adjectives, the consonant is doubled after a short vowel:
- big - biggest (big - biggest);
- fat - fattest (fat - the fattest);
- red - reddest (red is the reddest);
- hot - hottest (hot - the hottest).
The same rule includes the words: sad (sad, sad), hot (hot), wet (wet).
Sample sentences:
Europe is the largest continent - Europe is the widest continent.
Oceania is the smallest continent - Oceania is the smallest continent.
Exceptions to the rule
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 biggest).
The adjective OLD (old) in addition to its exclusivity is distinguished by two forms of superlatives. Most common form:
old - oldest (old - oldest or mostsenior)
But when it comes to family members (native people), another form is used:
old - eldest (old - oldest or oldest)
Examples of usage
Exceptional superlative adjective. Usage examples:
My diploma work in the best - My diploma work is 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 superlative 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 with more than one syllable, i.e. 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 ormost comfortable);
- interesting - the most interesting (interesting - the most interesting or 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.
Conjunction 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 - Green gallery is wider than red.
Antarctida is bigger than Oceania - Antarctica is bigger than Oceania.
Using the as…as construction (same…as, same…as). In this case, the adjective is compared positively 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 - Yellow car is as fast as green.
This doctor as clever as that one - This doctor is as smart as that one.
Reinforcement exercises
1) Quiz. Try to answer the questions using comparative word constructions with adjectives.
Which country is smaller? (Scotland or England)
Which country is begger? (Russia or Spain)
Which is the largest continent on ourplanet?
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 is 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.
