Adjectives have three forms – Positive form, Comparative form, and Superlative form.
The positive degree of an adjective is the simplest form of that particular adjective.
Comparative degree of an adjective denotes a higher degree when compared to a positive degree. It is used to compare two persons or things.
The superlative degree of an adjective denotes the highest degree of the quality. Superlative degree is used to compare more than two persons or things.
Comparative and superlative forms of adjectives are formed by adding r and st or er and est or more and most etc.
Let’s try to understand Positive, Comparative and Superlative forms of the adjectives with suitable examples.
Examples
☞ Victor is a tall boy. (Positive Degree)
☞ Victor is taller than Shyam. (Comparative Degree)
☞ Victor is the tallest boy in the class. (Superlative Degree)
☞ Comparative and Superlative Forms formed by adding – r and – st: This happens when the positive form ends with ‘e’.
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
| able | abler | ablest |
| brave | braver | bravest |
| close | closer | closest |
| fine | finer | finest |
| noble | nobler | noblest |
| white | whiter | whitest |
| wise | wiser | wisest |
☞ Comparative and Superlative Forms formed by adding – er and – est:
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
| clever | cleverer | cleverest |
| dear | dearer | dearest |
| great | greater | greatest |
| kind | kinder | kindest |
| near | nearer | nearest |
| small | smaller | smallest |
| sweet | sweeter | sweetest |
| young | younger | youngest |
☞ Comparative and Superlative Forms formed by doubling the last consonant & adding – er and – est:
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
| big | bigger | biggest |
| fat | fatter | fattest |
| hot | hotter | hottest |
| sad | sadder | saddest |
| thin | thinner | thinnest |
☞ Comparative and Superlative Forms formed by adding – more and – most:
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
| difficult | more difficult | most difficult |
| fascinating | more fascinating | most fascinating |
| gorgeous | more gorgeous | most gorgeous |
| melodious | more melodious | most melodious |
| proper | more proper | most proper |
☞ Irregular Comparison:
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
| bad | worse | worst |
| good | better | best |
| little | lesser | least |
| many | more | most |
