Adjectives and adverbs express features of objects. But sometimes it becomes necessary to note that the feature of one object is more pronounced than that of another, that is, to compare them. To do this, you can use the degrees of comparison of adjectives and adverbs. There are three different degrees of comparison that give adjectives and adverbs certain meanings. In this article, we will analyze how each of the degrees is formed.
Comparative and positive adjectives
First of all, you should remember that only qualitative adjectives can change in degree. A positive degree indicates that the attribute of the object is not compared with anything. It's just called. These are the adjectives that we use regularly. For example: soft,hard, long, beautiful, old, etc.
The comparative degree is used when it is necessary to compare two similar features.
Only one of them will be expressed more or, conversely, less. This degree is used when it comes to, for example, age (someone older / younger) or the size of something (more / less), etc. A comparative degree can be formed in several ways. Everything depends on the word itself. If a one-syllable or two-syllable adjective is used, then it is only necessary to add the suffix -er to it. Examples: long - longer (long - longer), short - shorter (short, shorter). If the adjective is a polysyllabic word, then it is preceded by more (an analogue of the Russian “more”), and the adjective itself remains unchanged. Examples: more beautiful (more beautiful), more effective (more effective).
Superlative
This degree indicates whether the pro trait is expressed to the greatest or least degree, compared to other similar ones. For example, we use superlatives when we say that someone is the oldest or, conversely, the youngest in the family. How is the superlative degree formed? If a one-syllable or two-syllable adjective is used, then only the suffix -est is attached to it. Examples: big - biggest (big - biggest), easy - easiest (simple - easiest).
If the adjective is polysyllabic, then most is added to it (analogue of the Russian "most"). Examples: beautiful - most beautiful(beautiful - the most beautiful), effective - most effective (effective - the most effective).
The degree of comparison of adverbs in English
Adverbs change the degree of comparison in the same way as adjectives. First, the suffixes –er and –est are used.
Examples: quickly - quicker - quickest, fast - faster - fastest (fast - faster - fastest). Although basically the same principle is used as in the case of adjectives, there are some differences. The formation of degrees of comparison of adverbs in English depends not only on the number of syllables, but also on what letters are at the end of the word.
Polysyllabic adverbs and those ending in -ly (early and loudly are exceptions) form comparisons with more and most. Examples: wisely (wisely) - more wisely (more wisely) - most wisely (most wisely). It is also worth noting that the degree of comparison of adverbs in English can be formed not according to the rules. There is a list of exception words:
- well – better – (the) best;
- badly - worse - (the) worst;
- far - farther/further - farthest/furthest and other words.
Why do the last words have multiple forms? They are used in different situations and have different meanings. If we are talking about a specific distance, then it is better to use farther - farthest. If the sentence is about time (for example, "further actions"), then it would be more appropriate to use further - furthest.
Why you need to be able to change comparative formsadjectives and adverbs?
First of all, this is one of the basic topics in English grammar. For those who plan to take any exams in the future, it is especially important. Comparisons are also very often used in ordinary everyday speech. Therefore, mastering them will also be useful for those who want to speak English confidently and understand someone else's speech.
After all, comparisons help express emotions, create realistic descriptions, talk about the degree of intimacy that binds people, mention age, and much more. In a word, the comparative degree occurs in completely different situations, and without the ability to use it, communication difficulties may arise.
So, the degrees of comparison of adverbs in English are very close to the degrees of comparison of adjectives. However, in order not to make mistakes, it is worth remembering the differences. To do this, you can practice and perform various exercises on the degree of comparison of adverbs in English and the degree of adjectives.
