IN english language adjectives have 3 degrees of comparison: positive, comparative and excellent. The general rules for the formation of each of them can be presented in the form of tables.
Adjective as part of speech
What is an adjective? This is the part of speech that is designed to describe the signs and properties of objects. She answers the questions "Which?", "Which?" and "Whose?" There are two types of adjectives in English: quality and relative .
Of these, only qualitative ones can have three degrees of comparison: positive, comparative and excellent. Relative cannot be combined with an adverb very (very) and form degrees of comparison. For example, from the relative adjective "wooden" it is impossible to form the comparative degree "more wooden", while from the qualitative "cold" you can form two forms of adjectives - "colder" and "coldest".
As you can see from the examples, the degrees of comparison of adjectives in the Russian language are formed using suffixes or by adding words to the initial form. And how things are in English - let's look at examples.
Positive
The initial form of an adjective is a positive degree: dangerous (dangerous, risky), famous (famous), curious (curious)... In English, the adjective has no gender, number and case forms. In other words, when forming phrases or sentences, we take an adjective and put it before a noun: a dangerous car (dangerous car), a famous singer (famous singer), curious girls (curious girls).
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Comparative
The word "comparative" comes from the verb "to compare". In other words, in comparative we compare the signs, properties of two or more objects. In this case, a union may appear in the sentence than (than) or construction the… the… (than…, the…), and the adjective itself changes form. There are two ways to form a comparative form:
- The ending is added to a simple adjective consisting of one or two syllables -er : fast - faster (fast - faster), weak - weaker (weak - weaker);
- The words are added to a complex adjective consisting of three or more syllables more (more) or less (less) : aggressive - more aggressive (aggressive - more aggressive), desperate - less desperate (desperate - less desperate).
Excellent
If, in a comparative degree, we set ourselves the task of comparing two objects, then in the excellent one we need to single out among the set one "the most that neither is." To obtain this degree, you must complete one of two:
- To a simple adjective consisting of one or two syllables, add the definite article the and ending -est : fast - the fastest (fast - the fastest), weak - the weakest (weak - the weakest);
- Add words to a complex adjective consisting of three or more syllables the most (the most) or the least (least) : aggressive - the moast aggressive (aggressive - the most aggressive), desperate - the least desperate (desperate - the least desperate).
General rules
General rules for the formation of degrees of comparison can be presented in the table "Degrees of comparison in English".
Note the following examples from the table: hot and lazy. In the comparative and superlative degree in the word hot (hot), the final consonant has doubled, since the word ends in a vowel and a consonant, and in the word lazy (lazy), the final vowel -y has changed to -i.
Exceptions
There are adjectives in English that are exceptions to general rule education degrees of comparison. They are presented in the following table of exceptions:
|
Positive degree |
comparative |
Superlative degree |
|
good - good |
better - better, better |
the best - the best, (nai) the best |
|
bad - bad |
worse - worst, worse |
the worst - the worst, (the) worst |
|
little - little |
less - less |
the least - the smallest, smallest |
|
much, many - many |
more - more |
the most - the greatest |
|
far - far, distant |
farther / further - more distant / more distant |
thе farthest / furthest - farthest / farthest) |
|
old - old, senior |
older / elder - older / older |
the oldest / eldest - oldest / oldest |
Pay attention to the meaning of the words farther - thе farthest (farther - farthest) and further - thе furthest (farther - furthest): in the first case, we mean the physical distance, and in the second - the range by a strand. The same can be seen in the words older - the oldest and elder - the eldest (older is the oldest). In the first case, it means age, and in the second, seniority in the family.
What have we learned?
From this article, we learned how Present Simple Tense is formed, in which cases this tense is used, and also how to distinguish Present Simple Tense from other tenses. We learned how to correctly construct a negative sentence in this time and how to correctly ask a question. We also learned all the adverbs of the time, satellite words that are peculiar only to Present Simple Tense.
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Recall once again that the adjective ( Adjective) Is a word that denotes a feature of an object, person or phenomenon. It answers the question "which one?" Let's look at how to form degrees of comparison of adjectives in English.
All adjectives are divided into two groups: qualitative ( qualitative) and relative ( relative). But not all of them can be compared. For example, "wooden" is a relative adjective, and we cannot say "more wooden". And qualitative adjectives can be presented in positive (beautiful), comparative (more beautiful) and excellent (most beautiful) degrees of comparison. And now we will tell you about each degree in detail.
Comparative degree of adjectives in English. Comparative degree
First, let's briefly talk about the positive degree. A positive degree is simple form adjective: smart, funny, soft. You see this form in dictionaries. For instance: brave (brave), new (new), cold (cold).
The comparative degree is used when comparing the characteristics of two or more objects, persons. Words like "faster", "higher", "stronger" are comparative adjectives. How to form it?
- Short adjectives (consist of one or two syllables) need to add an ending -er: cheap (cheap) - cheaper (cheaper), narrow (narrow) - narrower (already), long (a long) - longer (longer).
- -ethen we just add -r: close (close) - closer (nearer).
- If the adjective ends in -ythen -y changes to -i: lucky (lucky) - luckier (more lucky) easy (simple) - easier (easier).
- If the adjective ends with a combination of vowel + consonant, then the final consonant is doubled: big (large) - bigger (more), hot (hot) - hotter (hotter).
- The comparative degree of long adjectives (more than 2 syllables) is formed using words more (more) and less (less): expensive (expensive) - more expensive (expensive), serious (serious) - less serious (less serious) comfortable (convenient) - more comfortable (more comfortable).
Excellent adjectives in English. Superlative degree
If for a comparative degree you need two objects to compare characteristics, then for an excellent one you need several objects, among which we will single out one "best". To complete this degree, we do the following:
- We add an ending to short adjectives -est: thin (thin) - the thinnest (the thinnest), fast (quick) - the fastest (the fastest). Moreover, adjectives in -e, -y and on a consonant letter obey the same rules as for the formation of a comparative degree: the simplest (simplest), the busiest (the busiest).
- We use long adjectives with words most (most) and least (least of all): talented (talented) - the most talented (the most talented), interesting (interesting) - the least interesting (least interesting).
In the formation of this degree, it is imperative to use the article theas written in the above examples.
Special adjectives
And in English there is a list of adjectives that can be used with both suffixes and with words more/most, less/least.
| Word | Transfer |
|---|---|
| Able | Capable |
| Angry | Evil |
| Clever | Smart |
| Common | General |
| Cruel | Cruel |
| Friendly | Friendly |
| Gentle | Tender |
| Handsome | Beautiful |
| Narrow | Narrow |
| Pleasant | Pleasant |
| Polite | Polite |
| Quiet | Quiet |
| Serious | Serious |
| Simple | Plain |
| Sour | Sour |
Exception adjectives
There are also adjectives, the degrees of comparison of which are not formed according to the general rule. These adjectives, like their forms, should be known by heart.
- Good – better – the best (good - better - best).
- Bad – worse – the worst (bad - worse - worse).
- Little – less – the least (small - less - smallest).
- Many/much – more – the most (much - more - the largest).
- Old – older – the oldest (old - older - oldest).
- Old – elder – the eldest (old - older - oldest) - about family members.
- Late – later – the latest/last (latest - later - latest / most recent).
- Late – the latter – the last (the latter is the second of the two listed - the last in order).
- Near – nearer – the nearest (close - closer - closest in distance).
- Near – nearer – next/the next (close - closer - next in time / next in order).
- Far – farther – the farthest (distant - more distant - farthest).
- Far – further – the furthest (distant, distant - further - further / additional).
We suggest you study the table with the degrees of comparison.
| Adjective | Degrees of comparison | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Positive | Comparative | Excellent | |
| Short, 1-2 syllables | Adjective cheap |
+ er
cheaper |
+ est
the cheapest |
| Long words of 2 or more syllables | Adjective expensive |
More/less + adjective more / less expensive |
The most / least + adjective the most / least expensive |
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These are the basic rules for the formation of degrees of comparison of adjectives in English. Be sure to take a quiz at the end to check how well you remember this material.
Test
Comparison of adjectives in English
Both in Russian and in English adjectives have three degrees of comparison: positive, comparative and excellent.
Positive degree of adjectives in English used in the following constructs:
as ... as – "so (oh) same ... like", "same", etc.
For instance:
Jane is as tall as John.
Jane the same growth, as and John. (\u003d Jane and John are the same height.)
not as ... as / not so ... as – "not like".
For instance:
John is not as tall as Arnie.
John not like that tall, as Arnie.
Comparative and superlative degrees of adjectives in English are formed in two ways.
In the first case, if the adjective is monosyllabic, i.e. consists of one syllable (for example, clean, new, cheap) or two, where the second syllable ends in –Y or -er, then the degree of comparison of such adjectives is formed by adding the endings -er and -est.
Pay attention to the spelling changes when forming the degrees of comparison of monosyllabic adjectives:
Unpronounceable " e"is dropped at the end, for example:
late - late r - the late st
If the word ends with -yfollowed by a consonant, then " y"changes to" i", eg:
eas y - eas ier - the eas iest
If a word ends in a consonant followed by a short stressed vowel, then the final consonant is doubled, for example:
ho t - ho tter - the ho ttest
In the second case, if the adjective consists of three or more syllables, or of two syllables, where the second syllable ends not on -y and -er, then the degrees of comparison of such adjectives are formed using the words more and most.
Some adjectives can be formed in both ways, for example:
narrow - narrow er/more narrow - the narrow est/ the most narrow
shallow - shallow er/more shallow - the shallow est/ the most shallow
quiet - quiet er/more quiet - the quiet est/ the most quiet
Note that the definite article precedes the adjective in superlative degree the... There is a completely logical explanation for this - the superlative degree distinguishes an object or concept from a number of similar ones due to the maximum presence of one or another feature. Therefore, we are talking practically about one of a kind (or this group) subject.
It is possible to use amplifying words before adjectives in a comparative degree. much, a lot, far - in meaning "much", "much", etc., a little, a bit, slightly - in meaning "not (for) a lot", "a little bit", etc.
For instance:
Let "s go by plane. It" s much faster and much more comfortable.
Let's fly by plane. So much faster and much more convenient.
My brother is a little taller and slightly more intelligent than yours.
My brother little higher and a little bit smarter than yours.
The repetition of adjectives in a comparative degree means duration or continuation (in such cases, the Russian performs a similar function " everything"), eg:
More and more people were coming.
People everything came and went.
He was getting older and older.
He became everything older.
It is possible to use indefinite pronouns before an adjective in a comparative degree any and no, eg:
This report wasn "t any better than the previous one.
This report was not at all no better than the previous one.
You are no better than me.
You nothing better than me.
If you want to emphasize the dependence of one action on another, you can use the expression the + comparative adjective + the + comparative adjective, which translates as " what ... so", eg:
The sooner you "ll start, the sooner you "ll finish.
The sooner you start, the sooner finish.
The richer you are the more difficult your life is.
Than you richer, the more difficult your life.
Pay attention to the following adjectives, the degrees of comparison of which are formed differently than indicated above. These adjectives and their derivatives just need to be remembered.
| Positive degree | comparative | Superlative degree |
| good - good | better - better | the best - the best |
| bad - bad | worse - worse | the worst - the worst |
| little - small | less - smaller | the least - the smallest |
| much - a lot | more - more | the most - the most |
| far - far, distant | farther - farther (about distance) further - further (in a figurative meaning) |
the farthest - the farthest (about distance) the furthest - the farthest (both literally and figuratively) |
| late - late | later - later the latter - the last (of the two listed) |
the latest - most recent, last (in time) the last - the most recent in order, the last |
| near - close | nearer - closer | the nearest - nearest in distance value the next - next in order, future |
| old - old | older - older elder (elder in the family) |
the oldest - the oldest, the oldest the eldest - the oldest in the family |
I am going to do it next week. \u003d I will do it next week.
When it comes to order (enumeration) or neighborhood, then the superlative degree with the definite article is used - “the next” \u003d next (in order), adjacent ;.
We live in the next house to theirs. \u003d We live with them in the neighborhood (in the next house with them).
We’ll have to stop at the next petrol station. \u003d We will have to stop at the next gas station.
I am looking forward to his next visit. \u003d I am looking forward to his next visit.
However, there are several expressions where “next” has a close meaning to “nearest”.
next to nothing \u003d almost nothing, close to zero.
next to none \u003d almost nothing, close to zero.
next – door \u003d nearest neighbor;
next of kin \u003d next of kin (to whom the inheritance goes in the absence of a will).
4. The meaning of the adjective “LATE” \u003d “late” is associated with TIME.
The adjective “late” has two forms of comparative and excellent.
Positive Comparative Excellent
degree degree degree
late\u003d late latER \u003d later the latEST \u003d latest
lattER \u003d last the last \u003d most recent
When it comes to time, the following forms are used: later and the latest.
Have you heard the latest news? \u003d Have you heard the latest news?
The form "latter" means: LAST of the two above, SECOND of those mentioned. The antonym to the word "latter" is the word - "former" - the first of the two above.
John and Tom came together. The latter had a coat on. \u003d John and Tom came together. The latter was wearing a coat.
The form “the last” means: LAST in order (same as “next” \u003d next in order)
the last letter \u003d last letter;
the last exam \u003d last exam;
the last page of the book \u003d the last page of the book;
Past in time;
I saw him last week. \u003d I saw him last week.
Degrees of adjectives comparison - Comparison of adjectives
Adjectives in English do not change in number or case, they change in degrees of comparison. This applies to quality adjectives. Relative adjectives do not have degrees of comparison (about qualitative and relative adjectives - in the material "").
There are three degrees of comparison of qualitative adjectives in English:
1. Positive (positive). The adjective in its usual form.big big
2. Comparative. Shows that one object has a bo? a higher degree of quality than another. Often used with the preposition than.
bigger bigger
3. Excellent (superlative). Indicates that the object has highest degree quality.
the biggest biggest / greatest
Rules for the formation of degrees of comparison
1. The comparative degree is formed by adding the suffix -er [? R] to the base of the word. Excellent - suffix -est [? St]. Several nuances:and. In adjectives with one syllable, the last letter is doubled.
hot - hotter - the hottest hot - hottest - hottest
b. If the last letter of the adjective is -y, and there is a consonant in front of it, then it is replaced by -i; if a vowel, then -y remains unchanged.
busy - busier - the busiest - busiest - busiest
gray - grayer - the grayest gray - grayer - the grayest
in. If the last letter in the adjective is mute -e (that is, not pronounced), then when writing it is omitted and merged with -e in a comparative or superlative suffix.
cute - cuter - the cutest cute - cuter - cutest
2. If an adjective has two or more syllables, then more is used comparatively before it, and the most is used in the excellent:
beautiful - more beautiful - the most beautiful beautiful - more beautiful - the most beautiful / most beautiful
3. There are a number of two-syllable adjectives that can be changed according to the first rule and the second:
able able
angry angry
clever smart
common common, common
cruel cruel
frequent frequent
friendly friendly
gentle gentle
handsome handsome, handsome
narrow narrow
pleasant pleasant
polite polite
quiet quiet
serious serious
simple simple
sour sour
4. Adjectives-exceptions:
good / well - better - the best
good - better - best / best
bad - worse - the worst
bad - worse - worst
little - less- the least
small - less - smallest / smallest
much (uncountable) / many (calculus) - more - the most
many - more - most
old - older - the oldest
old - older - oldest
old - elder - the eldest
elder - older - oldest (only about people; for example: my elder brother is my elder brother)
late - later - the latest / the last
latest - later - latest (new, latest in time)
near - nearer - the nearest
close - closer - closest (distance)
near - nearer - next / the next
close - closer - next (in time or in order)
far - farther - the farthest
farthest - farthest - farthest (distance only)
far - further - the furthest
distant - more distant - farthest (in an abstract sense)