Degrees of adjectives | A guide on how to use them effectively

You’ve likely come across the term ‘degrees of adjectives’ before. But what exactly are they and what purpose do they serve in the English language? Without further ado, let’s dive in and learn about degrees of adjectives and their uses!

What are adjectives?

Adjectives are essential parts of speech and provide additional information and context about the noun or pronoun, such as its size, shape, color, quantity, or other characteristics.

For example, the sentence “I saw a cat.” is simple and straightforward, but it doesn’t tell much about the object of the sentence, the cat. However, the sentence “I saw a small, fluffy, black cat.” paints a much clearer picture. This is due to the addition of the adjectives “fluffy,” “black,” and “small,” which describe the size, texture, and color of the cat.

Degrees of adjectives and their types

The degree of adjectives is often used to compare the similar qualities of two or more nouns. The three degrees of adjectives are positive, comparative, and superlative. Let’s learn a bit about them in detail.

Positive degree of adjective

The positive degree of adjectives is the basic form of an adjective and is used to provide information about the quality or characteristic of the noun it is modifying. It describes a noun or pronoun without making any comparisons to other nouns or pronouns.

Comparative degree of adjective

The comparative degree of adjectives is a form of an adjective used to compare two things. It indicates that one thing has more or less of a particular quality or characteristic than the other being compared.
To form the comparative degree, we generally add “-er” to the end of a one-syllable adjective or use “more” + the adjective for adjectives with two or more syllables, and the word “than” is generally used after.

Sentence formation in this degree: noun or pronoun (i.e., a subject) >< verb (what subject is doing) >< comparative adjective >< “than”>< noun (i.e., an object).

Superlative degree of adjective

When comparing more than two nouns or pronouns, the degree is said to be superlative, and the article “the” is used before the superlative adjective. After the superlative adjective, the prepositions “of” and “in” are generally used.

Sentence formation in this degree: noun or pronoun (i.e., a subject) >< verb (what subject is doing) >< superlative adjective >< “the”>< noun (i.e., an object).

Degrees of adjectives examples

Positive degree	Comparative degree	Superlative degree
Naina is tall.	Naina is taller than Mahek.	Naina is the tallest of all the sisters.
Veer is patient.	Veer is more patient than Isha.	Veer is the most patient child in the house.
She is stylish.	She is more stylish than Geeta.	She is the most stylish.
Vinita has a big farmhouse.	Vinita has a bigger farmhouse than Seema.	Vinita has the biggest farmhouse.
The suits in this shop are costly.	The suits in this shop are costlier than those in other shops.	The suits in this shop are the costliest.
My friend, Reema, looks cheerful.	My friend, Reema, looks more cheerful than my other friends.	My friend, Reema, looks the most cheerful.

The usage of degrees of adjectives

When there is only a single syllable

• In a comparative degree, when two nouns or pronouns are compared, “er” is added to the adjective, and “r” is added to the adjective that ends with an “e.”
• In a superlative degree, when more than two nouns are being compared, “est” is added to the adjective, and “st” is added to the adjective that ends with an “e.”
• When the positive degree ends in a consonant (except a, e, i, o, u) with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) before it, write the consonant word at the end twice and then add “er” and “est.”

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
Bright	Brighter	Brightest
Sweet	Sweeter	sweetest
Great	Greater	Greatest
Large	Larger	Largest
Wise	Wiser	Wisest
Big	Bigger	Biggest
Hot	Hotter	Hottest

When there are two syllables

• In the comparative degree, “ier” is added at the end of the word, and “y” is dropped from the adjectives.
• In the superlative degree, “iest” is added at the end of the word, and “y” is dropped from the adjectives.

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
Easy	Easier	Easiest
Dry	Drier	Driest
Happy	Happier	Happiest

When there are three or more syllables

• In the comparative degree, “more” is added before the adjectives.
• In the superlative degree, “most” is added before the adjectives.

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
Beautiful	More beautiful	Most beautiful
Radiant	More radiant	Most radiant

Irregular usage of adjectives

Some adjectives do not have any predefined rules when applying for their degree. Here are some examples of the same.

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
Bad	Worse	Worst
Good	Better	Best
Far	Farther	Farthest
Much	More	Most
Old	Elder	Eldest

Some important points to remember

• The most important point is that the three degrees of adjectives are only used for comparing adjectives or adverbs.
• The positive degree of an adjective should not be used for making comparisons.
• The comparative degree of an adjective is the basic form to compare only two noun qualities.
• The superlative degree of an adjective is used only when you want to present that one noun or pronoun as superior compared to all of the others.
• The adjuncts that provide extra information about the verb should be retained when converting a sentence to a comparative or superlative degree of an adjective.
• Never use comparative or superlative adjectives twice in one sentence.
  • Incorrect Usage: These oranges are more juicier than those.
  • Correct Usage: These oranges are juicier than those.
• It is important to keep in mind that some adjectives require the addition of “to” and not “than”.
  • Incorrect Usage: He is senior than him.
  • Correct Usage: He is senior to him.
• The comparative and superlative degrees of comparison used in the same sentence should make complete sense.
  • Incorrect Usage: Neha is as intelligent if not more so than her friend.
  • Correct Usage: Neha is as intelligent as if not more so than her friend.

Key takeaways

• Adjectives are words that describe nouns or pronouns and are used to convey descriptions and additional information.
• The degrees of adjectives are used to compare the qualities of two or more nouns or pronouns.
• The usage of degrees of adjectives differs pertaining to the number of syllables in the adjective-
  • One syllable requires adding “er” and “est” for adjectives ending with “e.”
  • The two syllables require adding “ier” and “iest” for adjectives and dropping “y” from the adjective.
  • The three or more syllables require adding “more” and “most” before an adjective.

Grammar is an essential aspect of language, so make sure you make your notes to nail language with correct grammar.

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FAQs

Q1: What are the uses of the degree of adjectives in the sentence?

Answer: The degree of adjectives in sentences can be used in three ways to compare things or a subject’s qualities: positive for no comparison, comparative for two things, and superlative for more than two things or nouns.

Q2: Why are degrees of adjectives important?

Answer: Degrees of adjectives are important because they allow us to add precision and detail to our language. They help us to compare and contrast different things and to express the level or degree of a particular quality or characteristic. Using the correct degree of an adjective can also make our writing or speech clearer and more effective in conveying our intended meaning.

Q3: What are some common mistakes made with degrees of adjectives?

Answer: Some common mistakes that people make with degrees of adjective are-

• Using the wrong degree of adjective when comparing more than two things.
• Using incorrect forms of irregular adjectives, such as “good,” “bad,” and “far.”
• Using redundant or unnecessary degrees of adjectives, such as saying “most unique” or “more perfect,” which are grammatically incorrect.