Life is difficult to imagine without comparing objects or people with each other. Therefore, in Russian there are two comparative degrees of qualitative adjectives. And what is the situation in foreign grammar? As for the English language, everything is unchanged in the construction of both superlative and comparative degrees.
Peculiarities of the English language
As mentioned above, in English, as in Russian, there is a comparative and superlative degree. There is also a positive one, which does not express juxtaposition. Simply put, it is the usual form of an adjective. For example, dark (dark).
But in English there are some difficulties in the formation of comparative degrees, different from ours. You will need some practice and theory to master them.
Comparative degree
The comparative degree of monosyllabic adjectives is formed by adding the suffix -er. Some two-syllable adjectives also obey this rule.
An example of monosyllabic ones is given in the table.
| Positive degree | Comparative degree | Examples |
| wide - wide | wider - wider, wider |
Roads in Germany are wider than ours. Roads in Germany are wider than ours. |
| slow - slow | slower - slower |
He runs slower than me. He runs slower than me. |
| cheap - cheap | cheaper - cheaper |
Here, shoes are cheaper than in other places. Shoes are cheaper here than elsewhere. |
| heavy - heavy | heavier - heavier |
Your backpack is heavier than mine. Your backpack is heavier than mine. |
| kind - kind | kinder - kinder |
He is kinder of all my friends. He is kinder than everyone I know. |
There are cases when an adjective ends in -e. In this case, just r is added. If the word ends with any other vowel, then it is replaced with i and the suffix -er is added.
Polysyllabic comparative adjectives are formed with the word more (more).
| Positive degree | Comparative degree | Examples |
| magnificent | more magnificent |
This car is more magnificent than all others. This car is the best of all. |
| diverse | more diversevaried) |
Here life is more diverse than in our city. Life is more diverse here than in our city. |
| colorful | more colorful (more colorful, more colorful) |
This festival is more colorful than the previous festival. This festival is more colorful than the previous one. |
| reliable | more reliable (more reliable, more reliable) |
This part is more reliable. This part is more reliable. |
| perfect (perfect, flawless) | more perfect (more perfect, more perfect) |
These technologies are more perfect. These technologies are better. |
Excellent degrees in English
The suffix -est and the definite article are involved in the formation. Moreover, the superlative degree in English can be similar to the comparative. This applies to some adjectives-exceptions.
Consider the variant with one-syllable adjectives:
| Positive degree | Superlatives | Examples |
| quiet | the quietest |
This is the quietest part of the city. This is the quietest part of town. |
| pretty | the prettiest |
She is the prettiest at the ball. She is the cutest onBaloo. |
| small | the smallest |
This is the smallest pebble in my collection. This is the smallest stone in my collection. |
| further (distant) | the furthest |
This is the furthest route! This is a long route! |
In English, the superlative degree of adjectives is built using the definite article and the word most.
| Positive degree | Superlatives | Examples |
| boring (boring) | the most boring |
The most boring November in life. The most boring November ever. |
| useless | the most useless |
It's the most useless thing for my house. This is the most useless item in my house. |
| attractive | the most attractive |
The most attractive dress. The most attractive dress. |
| mass (mass) | the most mass |
The most mass action of workers. The most massive action of workers. |
Exceptions
There are several exceptions to the formation of degrees of comparison in English. These words are notobey none of the rules, you just need to memorize them.
| Positive | many, much (many) | bad | good | little (little) |
| Comparative | more | worse (worst, worse) | better | less (less) |
| Excellent | the most | the worst | the best | the least (smallest, smallest) |
Adjectives that do not have degrees of comparison
Each adjective can transform into a superlative in English. As in Russian, only qualitative adjectives have degrees of comparison (comparable adjectives). Relatives cannot become comparative or superlative in English. Combined with the words "very" or "too" they simply lose their meaning.
