Class 5 :: Language and Grammar :: Adjectives Degrees of Comparison
Adjectives Degrees of Comparison
We use adjectives to describe a noun or a pronoun. But sometimes we need to compare two or more persons, animals or things.
The Positive, the Comparative and the Superlative Degree:-
We use the positive degree of adjectives when there is no comparisons between the persons, animals or things we are talking about. It is used to show that there is no difference between the nouns being spoken of.
For example:-
Tom is smart. (no comparison)
Tom is as smart as Jerry. ( Both are equally smart)
This is as simple as that. (Both are equally simple)
We use the comparative degree of adjectives when we compare two persons, animals, things or groups.
For example:-
Tom is smarter than Jim.
This is simpler than that.
We use than after the comparative form of the adjective.
For example:
She is smarter than him.
We use superlative degree of adjectives when we compare three or more persons, animals or things. It shows who or which of them has the highest degree of the quality being described.
For example:-
Tom is the smartest of all the cartoon characters.
This is the simplest of all the problems.
We can avoid repetition of the noun when we use the superlative degree, by ending the sentence with the adjective.
For example:-
There are many big houses in the neighbourhood. My house is the biggest in the neighbourhood.
There are many big houses in the neighbourhood. My house is the biggest.
A. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of adjectives describing the planets.
1. Mercury is the closest (closer/closest) planet to the sun.
2. Venus is the closest (closer/closest) neighbour to Earth.
3. Mars is colder (coldest/colder) than some other planets.
4. Jupiter is largest (largest/larger) than all the other planets.
5. Saturn is a little smaller (small/smaller) than Jupiter.
6. Neptune is the slowest (slowest/slow) planet in orbit.
7. Mercury is the fastest (fast/fastest) planet in orbit.
8. Mercury is faster (fastest/faster) than Venus.
9. Venus is hotter (hotter/hottest) than all the other planets.
10. Mercury is not as hot (hotter/hot) as Venus.
B. Rewrite the sentences using the positive degree (as + adjective + as). You may use the words in brackets.
1. We are the same height. (tall)
= I am as tall as you.
2. We both are equally well-built. (strong)
= You are as strong as me.
3. My father and your father are thin. (lean)
= My father is as lean as yours.
4. We both are intelligent. (clever)
= You are as clever as mine.
5. Our houses are not near the school. (far)
= Your house is as far as mine from the school.
C. Write the comparative and superlative degrees of these adjectives.
Positive Comparative Superlative
1. Wide Wider Widest
2. Cute Cuter Cutest
3. True Truer Truest
4. Small Smaller Smallest
5. Young Younger Youngest
6. Happy Happier Happiest
7. Yummy Yummier Yummiest
8. Wealthy Wealthier Wealthiest
9. Colourful More Colourful Most Colourful
10. Important More Important Most Important
Adjectives with Irregular Comparative and Superlative Forms:-
Some adjectives do not follow any of the rules that we have discussed. They are called irregular adjectives. We need to learn their comparative and superlative forms.
Positive Comparative Superlative
good/well better best
bad worse worst
little less least
many/much more most
D. Fill in the blanks with the correct degrees of the adjectives given in brackets.
1. The weather is better (good) it was not Monday.
2. Quine tastes worse (bad) than any other medicine for malaria.
3. Gold is one of the most popular (popular) metals for ornaments.
4. I scored the least (less) points in school.
5. Do you feel better (good) than yesterday?
6. This dress is the worst (bad) you can think of for the occasion.
7. Deserts in this country get the least (less) rainfall.
8. Why is this painting more expensive (expensive) than the one we saw yesterday?
9. It is the farthest (far) we can drive one day.
10. My grandmother is the oldest (old) in our family.
E. Fill in the blanks with the correct degrees of the adjectives given in brackets.
1. India has the largest (large) postal network in the world.
2. He was one of the most famous (famous) leaders during their struggle for independence.
3. India was amongst the richest (rich) countries before she was invaded.
4. This place is more populated (populated) than where we went yesterday.
5. Sirius A is the brightest (bright) star in the night sky.
6. The wavelength of the colour blue is shorter (short) than that of green.
7. The cost of restoration of the Taj Mahal was immense. (immense)
8. The pyramids of Giza are older (old) than the Harappan civilization.
9. Lake Baikal in Russia is known to be the deepest (deep) lake in the world.
10. She is considered to be one of the most creative (creative) directors in Hollywood.