Positive, Comparative, and Superlative Degrees

Positive, Comparative, and Superlative Degrees
of Comparison
Adjectives and adverbs not only describe things; they also compare them. Adjectives and
adverbs have different forms to show degrees of comparison. There are three degrees of com-
parison: positive, comparative, and superlative. The following list summarizes the three
degrees of comparison:
Positive:The base form of the adjective or adverb notbeing used in a comparison.
Comparative: The form of the adjective or adverb being used to compare two things.
Superlative: The form of the adjective or adverb being used to compare three or more
things.
Here’s a cheat sheet:
Degree of ComparisonNumber of Things ComparedExample
Positive degreeNoneDonald is rich.
Comparative degreeTwoRoss is richerthan Donald.
Superlative degreeThree or moreBill is the richestof all.
The following guidelines show how to form the comparative and superlative degrees of
adjectives and adverbs.
1.In most cases, use -er/-est with one- and two-syllable adjectives or adverbs.
PositiveComparativeSuperlative
poorpoorerpoorest
richricherrichest
lowlowerlowest
highhigherhighest
largelargerlargest
2.When an adjective or adverb has three or more syllables, use more and most or less and
leastto form the comparative and superlative degrees.

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PositiveComparativeSuperlative
uncommonmore uncommonmost uncommon
unusualmore unusualmost unusual
adorablemore adorablemost adorable
delightfulmore delightfulmost delightful
attractiveless attractiveleast attractive
popularless popularleast popular
3.If the word sounds awkward, break the rule.
For example, since just has one syllable, the comparative form should be juster and the
superlative form should be justest. However, since this sounds odd, we use more just and
most just. Listen to the word to identify the most natural-sounding form of the compara-
tive or superlative degree. When in doubt, consult your dictionary.
4.Never use both -erand more,or -est and most,with the same modifier.
Never use double comparisons. For example, never say “the most furthest.” Instead, say
“furthest.” Never say the “leasthappiest.” Instead, say “least happy.”
5.All adverbs that end in -lyform their comparative and superlative degrees with moreand
most.
PositiveComparativeSuperlative
smoothlymore smoothlymost smoothly
easilymore easilymost easily
calmlymore calmlymost calmly
gracefullymore gracefullymost gracefully
gentlymore gentlymost gently
6.Some adjectives and adverbs have irregular forms.
A few adjectives and adverbs don’t follow these rules when they form the comparative
and superlative degrees. Unfortunately, they are among the most commonly used modi-
fiers in English, so you’re apt to need them virtually every day. Since they don’t follow a
pattern, you just have to bite the bullet and memorize them.

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Using Adjectives and Adverbs Correctly
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Irregular Adjectives and Adverbs
PositiveComparativeSuperlative
badworseworst
badlyworseworst
far (distance)fartherfarthest
farfurtherfurthest
goodbetterbest
illworseworst
latelaterlater or latest
little (amount)lessleast
manymoremost
muchmoremost
somemoremost
wellbetterbest
Goodand well are especially tricky. Follow these guidelines:
Goodis always an adjective.
You should read this novel: It has a good plot.
adj.noun
Rory traded in her old car for a good one.
adj.noun
Well is an adjective used to describe good health.
You look wellin that gorilla suit.
verbadj.
You sound well—for someone who has laryngitis.
verbadj.
Well is an adverb when used to describe anything but health.
Chef Big Hat cooks well.
verbadv.
As a result, everyone in his house no doubt eats well!
verbadv.
Comparing with Adjectives and Adverbs
Now that you know how to form the comparative and superlative forms of adjectives and
adverbs, follow these guidelines to make the comparisons correct.

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1.Use the comparative degree (-eror moreform) to compare two things.
Your house is bigger than mine.
Your house has morerooms than mine.
2.Use the superlative form (-est or mostto compare three or more things.
The kitchen is the largestroom in the house.
It is the mostimpressive room of all.
Quick Tip
Fewerand lesshave different meanings and cannot be used interchangeably. Fewer
refers to items that canbe counted (fewer sandwiches, fewer cookies). Lessrefers
to amounts that can’tbe counted (less sugar, less sand, less anger, less filling).
3.Use otherand else correctly in comparisons.
When you compare one item in a group with the rest of the group, be sure to include the
word otheror else.Then your comparison will make sense.
Confusing comparison: Truman was greater than any American president.
Logical comparison: Truman was greater than any otherAmerican president.
Confusing comparison: The sinkhole in our front yard is deeper than any in the neigh-
borhood.
Logical comparison: The sinkhole in our front yard is deeper than any other in the
neighborhood.
Confusing comparison: Tina scored more points than anyone on the badminton team.
Logical comparison: Tina scored more points than anyone elseon the badminton team.
Confusing comparison: The sumo wrestler is heavier than anyone in the competition.
Logical comparison: The sumo wrestler is heavier than anyone elsein the competition.
4.Create complete comparisons.
Sentences that finish a comparison make sense. Comparisons that are incomplete or that
compare illogical items become muddled. This confuses readers and obscures your point.
Confusing comparison: Jack spends more time playing video games than homework.
Logical comparison: Jack spends more time playing video games than doinghomework.
Confusing comparison: My suit is more stylish than Nick.
Logical comparison: My suit is more stylish than Nick’s suit.
Using Predicate Adjectives after Linking Verbs
A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb and describes the subject of a
sentence. Remember that linking verbsdescribe a state of being or a condition. They include

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