Comparisons of adjectives in English. Learn monosyllabic and polysyllabic adjectives in English Rule of English for monosyllabic adjectives


In English, as in Russian, adjectives (qualitative) form two degrees of comparison: comparative and superlative. The positive degree of adjectives is their basic form, which does not express the degree of comparison.

Just like in Russian, adjectives form degrees of comparison either analytically - with the help of additional words moremore and mostmost, most(complex forms); or synthetically - by changing the adjective itself with the help of suffixes –er and –est(simple forms (. And just like in Russian, the analytical form of the comparative degree can be formed from any adjective, and the synthetic form can be formed from some adjectives, but not from others.

The vast majority of monosyllabic adjectives form degrees of comparison using simple (synthetic) forms:

Comparative degree is formed with the suffix –er, which is pronounced, and before words beginning with a vowel sound -.

excellent degree is formed with the suffix -est which is pronounced.

At the same time, the following rules :

1 In monosyllabic adjectives ending in one consonant with a preceding short vowel, the final consonant doubles(to keep the syllable closed):

big [bIg] large- big ger["bIgq]-big gest["bIgIst]

thin [TIn] thin- thin ner["TInq] - thin nest["TInist]

2 If the adjective ends in y with a preceding consonant, then ychanges to i :

bus y["bIzI] busy- bus ier[ "bIzIq ] - bus iest["bIzIst]

happy y["hxpi] happy- happy ier[ "hxpIq ] - happ iest["hxpIst]

Note: But if before y stands for a vowel, then y remains unchanged:

gre y[greI] grey-gre yer["greIq]-gre yest["greIIst]

3 final vowel e (not mine e ) before suffixes -er, -est omitted:

whit e[waIt] white- whit er[waItq] - whit est["waitist]

positive degree

comparative

Superlatives

(article the everywhere)

dark[dRk] dark

dark er darker

(the) dark est darkest

nice [naIs] cute

nic er cuter

(the) nic est the cutest

large [lRG] large

larg er more

(the) larg est largest

However, even here not everything is so clear-cut. For some adjectives, both synthetic and analytical forms are equally common, for example:

true[trH] truthful, faithful

true er; more true

true est; most true

hot[hOt] hot

hott er; more hot

hott est; most hot- less often

And some in the overwhelming majority of cases are found in analytical forms:

right[raIt] correct, true

right ( rarely ); more right

most right

wrong [rON] wrong

more wrong

most wrong

real[rIql] real

more real

realest(less often); most real

Before adjectives in excellent degree is put definite article the, since it is usually an attribute to the noun behind it (gives it the qualities of exclusivity). The article is also preserved in cases where the noun is not mentioned, but only implied:

Polysyllabic and most disyllabic adjectives form comparative degree with word more - more, a excellent degree - most - most (most). And the smallest and lowest degree of quality are expressed in words less - less and leastleast. These words are placed before the adjective in the form of put. degrees (basic form).

positive degree

comparative

Superlatives

(article the everywhere)

difficult ["dIfIkqlt] difficult

beautiful ["bjHtIfl] beautiful

more difficultharder

more beautifulmore beautiful

most difficultmost difficult

most beautifulthe most beautiful

Expression of lesser and least degree:

expensive [Ik"spensIv] expensive(by price)

less expensiveless expensive

(the) least expensive least expensive

For example:

Note 1:Mostused before adjectives not only to form a superlative degree, but also with a meaningvery - very, as well as extremely, very, denoting simply a high degree of quality regardless of other subjects . In this case, the singular noun is used with an indefinite article, and in the plural - without an article:

This is most interesting book.

This is extremely interesting book.

They are most interesting people.

They are extremely interesting people.

Note 2: Mostalso used with the prepositionofin front of a noun denoting a certain group of objects, persons or a quantity of something. Combinationmost ofused without an article and means " most (of), most (of)". In this case, the noun to which it refers carries with it the definite article, demonstrative or possessive pronoun.

Most of these books have been published in Moscow.

Most of these books were published in Moscow.

Most of the students go in for sports.

Majority students go in for sports.

Some two-syllable adjectives and some one-syllable adjectives are used in both synthetic and analytical forms to convey various stylistic nuances and shades. In general, simple forms are more typical for colloquial speech, and complex ones for writing.

It should be noted that over the past few decades, some changes have taken place in the English language, and where only synthetic forms were previously considered, analytical ones appeared, which are used in parallel with the old, simple forms.

In domestic grammars, it is traditionally written that disyllabic adjectives ending in y, -er, -ow, -le, as well as some having stress on the second syllable, form simple comparison forms. However, even here everything is not so simple, the language is alive and gradually changing. In cases where you do not know which form to use, choose the analytical one, the error may be stylistic, not grammatical.

Adjectives that are much more likely to form simple forms of comparison include:

simple ["simpl] simple

simple er

simple est

busy ["bIzI] busy

busi er

busi est

quiet ['kwaIqt] calm

quiet er

quiet est

happy ["hxpI] happy

happy er

happy est; most happy ( less often )

["nxrou] narrow

narrow er ; more narrow(less often)

narrow est

Some adjectives with the same frequency occur in both simple and complex forms of comparison, for example:

clever ["klevq] smart, capable

clever er; more clever

clever est; most clever

stupid ["stjHpId] stupid, stupid

stupid er; more stupid

stupid est; most stupid

sincere [sIn "sIq] sincere

sincere er ( less often ); more sincere;

sincere est; most Sincere

More often found in complex forms of comparison:

polite [pq "laIt] polite

polit er ( rarely) ; more polite

polit est ( less often) ; most polite

remote[rI "mout] remote

remote er (rarely) ; more remote

remote est (less often) ; most remote

1 Form degrees of comparison from another root:

positive degree

comparative

Superlatives

(article the everywhere)

good[ gud] good

better ["betq] it is better

(the) best [best] the best

little [ lItl] little

less[les] smaller

least[lJst] least

bad[ bxd] bad

worse [wWs] worse

worst [ wWst] the worst, the worst

much[ mac] lot(with uncountable)

many[ " menI] many(with enum.)

more [ml] more

most [must] most

Note 1:word smaller

a) less- in the case when smaller few:

I have less time than he.

I have smaller time than his.

b) smaller- in the case when smaller is a comparative degree of little. That is, when we need to form a comparative degree fromlittle- in meaning little, we replace it with smalllittle, from which we formsmaller and smallest. For example:

Note 2:word more corresponds in English:

a) more- in the case when more is a comparative degree of lot:

b) bigger or larger - in the case when more is a comparative degree of large:

2 They have two forms of degrees of comparison, differing in meaning:

positive degree

comparative

Superlatives

(article the everywhere)

1) old[Old] old

older [ " Oldq] older(about age)

elder [ " eldq] older in the family(about seniority)

oldest oldest

eldest the eldest in the family

2) near[ nIq] close

nearer ["nIqrq] closer

nearest [ " nIqrIst] closest (by distance)

next[ next] next (in order)

3) late[ leIt] late

later [ " leItq] later(about the time)

last [ " lxtq] the last of the two (in order) mentioned

latest [ " leItIst] latest

last[ lRst] most recent (in order)

4) far[fR] far , further

farther [ " fRDq] more distant(about distance)

further [ " fWDq] more distant, further (in order)

farthest [ " fRDIst] the farthest

furthest [ " fWDIst] farthest, furthest

Each person or object has distinctive characteristics, properties, signs. And in order to tell the interlocutor about them, you need to be able to use the appropriate adjectives correctly. Today we will study this grammatical category, and also learn its laws of composition and use. In addition, they will help us quickly understand and remember the rules about simple and polysyllabic adjectives in English examples , given in the final section.

grammatical meaning

The role of English adjectives is no different from the role of Russians - to characterize people and describe objects, emphasizing their qualities, signs, properties. Despite the fact that in conjunction with this part of speech there is always a noun, it does not change either the number, or the gender, or the case.

  • I see a gray bird-Iseegray bird.
  • Gray birds are sitting on the branch of the treegray birdssittingon thebranchtree.
  • I gave some bread to the gray bird-IgaveLittleof breadthisgray bird.

The only case of changing the form of adjectives in an English sentence is when they are used to compare objects and express superiority.

Comparison Forms

Before mastering the methods of comparison, it is necessary to understand that the composition of adjectives is very important for English grammar. They are of three types: simple, complex and compound.

Compound adjectives are a combination of two words and are written with a hyphen (sometimes together). These combinations consist of adjectives and other parts of speech: numerals, nouns, participles, etc.

  • A one-eyed young man lives in this flat A young one-eyed boy lives in this apartment.
  • Mother bought a dark blue suit for my brotherMumboughtmybrotherdark-bluesuit.
  • He didn't want to take a low-paid job-He didn't want to take a low paying job.

The composite form is rarely used. One-syllable and two-syllable adjectives, and words with a large number of syllables are much more common. For the first two groups, comparative forms are formed by changing the stem, and the last category requires additional words. Therefore, we will separately analyze polysyllabic adjectives in English, giving examples of the compilation of their comparative degrees. For now, let's focus on the first group.

Other English topics: "I love you" in English and other phrases to express feelings

Definitions consisting of one syllable, as well as adjectives of two syllables with the endings le, er, ow, y, form degrees of comparison in a suffixal way. For the comparative degree, this is the suffix -er, and for the superlative - est. Since only one person or object can surpass everyone, the article the is placed before such adjectives.

  • Ihaddonemytaskby3o'clockbecauseitwas easy I completed my task by three o'clock, because it was light.
  • YouhaddoneyourtaskfasterthanIdidbecauseyourtaskwas easier - You completed your task faster than I did, because your task was easier.
  • Hehaddonehistaskearlierthanothersdidbecausehistaskwas the easiest He completed his task before anyone else, because his task was the easiest.

When changing the degree, monosyllabic adjectives are characterized by the implementation of several nuances related to spelling. When a definition ends in one consonant, preceded by a short vowel, it is doubled in the comparative construction. Here we note that the final unreadable vowel e is never doubled.

  • It was hot yesterday -YesterdayIt washot.
  • The weather is getting hotter and hotter-Weatherbecomesallhotterandhotter.

Words ending in -y with a preceding consonant change that letter to i.

  • My sister is lazyMysisterlazy.
  • He is the laziest pupil in his classHemostlazystudentinhisclass.

Note that in this group there are special cases that are studied separately.

Polysyllabic adjectives in English construction examples

For definitions that include three or more syllables, no changes occur with the word itself. In compiling comparative degrees, they are helped by special additional designations: more/less(more/less) and themost/theleast(most/least).

original form Comparison Superiority
comfortable room

comfort room

more comfortable room

the room is more comfortable

the most comfortable room

most comfortable room

beautiful butterfly

beautiful butterfly

more beautiful butterfly

butterfly is more beautiful

the most beautiful butterfly

the most beautiful butterfly

expensive present

expensive gift

less expensive present

less expensive gift

the least expensive present

not an expensive gift

This method often forms comparison forms of adjectives in -ed and -ing, which many equate to participles.

  • He was more surprised than his brotherHewasstrongersurprisedhowhisbrother.
  • It was the most interesting day of my tripThis iswasmostinterestingdayfrommytrips.

Often, two-syllable adjectives also use this method, especially if they end in –ful, -less, -ous.

  • Your husband is more careful than myYourhusbandmorecaringhowmy.
  • It is the most useless thing in the worldThis isthe mostuselessthinginthe world.
  • Palahniuk is more famous Writer than FreiPalahniukmorefamouswriter,howFry.

To words always used for education degrees of comparison additional structures also include: frequent, careless, contemporary, normal, certain, foolish, correct and etc.

Some representatives of adjectives can even use both methods of constructing comparisons.

These types of words are common, clever, simple, gentle, stupid, narrow, cruel, pleasant, friendly.

Hey everyone! Today we will discuss English adjectives, or rather: their role and order in a sentence, types, structure, formation, characteristic suffixes and prefixes, degrees of comparison and the use of the article with them. You need this! C "mon!

Adjective(adjective) is one of the main parts of speech, which denotes a sign of an object and answers the questions " which?», « whose?».

An adjective is used with a nounto show its special feature, property and give additional characteristics of a different nature. It is thanks to adjectives that our speech becomes diverse and emotionally rich.

Unlike adjectives in Russian, in English they do not change neither by gender, nor by cases, nor even by numbers.

Just take an adjective and put any noun after it. Everything is very simple.

smart cat - smart cat;
cute kids - cute children;
hot stuff is hot stuff.

Order of adjectives in an English sentence

adjective in definition functions stands before the noun to which it refers, and in nominal part functions compound predicate - after the linking verb. Here's what it looks like in an example:

I have bought a black cat. - I bought a black cat (definition).
This cat is black. - This cat black(predicative).

If adjectives two or more, then you need to use them in a certain order. The Russian language also has such a rule, and this may help you not to get confused. Often the correct order can be established intuitively, but just in case, here are the rules for you.

First there will be adjectives showing the attitude (opinion) of the speaker to the subject: handsome (attractive), ugly (ugly), luxurious (luxurious).

Second adjectives are used that describe the parameters of the object (size, characteristics, age, shape, color): black (black), old (old), huge (huge).

BUT before a noun usually destination: kitchen (kitchen), throwing (throwing), educative (educational).

Order of adjectives in a sentence
Article/Determinant a some my
Opinion lovely
(delightful)
stunning
(stunning)
reasonably priced
(inexpensive)
The size big
(large)
small
(small)
-
Quality
(state characteristic)
well made
(skillfully done)
artistic
(skillfully done)
boiling
(boiling)
Age new
(new)
old
(old)
-
The form rectangular
(rectangular)
square
(square)
-
Colour black - red
(red)
Origin
(the country)
american
(American)
english
(English)
Ukrainian
(Ukrainian)
Material (substance) steel
(steel)
oil
(oil)
-
purpose throwing
(propelling)
ceiling
(ceiling)
halloween
(Halloween)
Noun knife
(knife)
paintings
(paintings)
meal
(dish)
She has fascinating long hair. - She has charming long hair.
Take that small black metal box. - Take that one small black metal box.
It was a modern wooden dinner table. - This was modern wooden dining room table.
I've bought a new steel carving knife. - I bought new steel cutting knife.
I've bought some expensive square fragile china plates. - I bought several expensive square fragile porcelain plates.

adjectives, showing measure(deep - depth, high - height, long - length, wide - width, etc.) are placed after the noun being defined.

The highway is 10 kilometers long. - This track is 10 kilometers long.
This lake isn't big, but it is 30 meters deep. - This lake is small, but depth 30 meters.

Formation of adjectives in English

Adjectives are simple, derivatives and complex(composite).

  • Simple adjectives have neither prefixes nor suffixes (big, short, black, red).
  • Derivatives include suffixes or prefixes, or both at the same time (natur al, in correct, un nature al).
  • Complex(composite) adjectives are formed from two words denoting one concept: dark blue,red-cheeked, snow white.

Suffixes, prefixes and adjective endings

The most famous suffixes adjectives are:

«- less': help less helpless, use less useless;
«- able,« -ible»: suit able(suitable), access ible accessible;
«- ous": fam ous famous, danger ous dangerous;
«- ful': use ful useful, care ful(attentive);
«- ent': intelligent ent(clever); preval ent(common)
«- ary': element ary(elementary);
«- ive': aggressive ive(aggressive);
«- al': form al formal, central al central;
«- ic»: hero ic(heroic);
«- y': sno wy(snowy).

The most well-known adjective prefixes include:

« un-»: un happy (unhappy), un equal (unequal);
« in-»: in complete (incomplete), in different (indifferent);
« im-»: im polite (impolite), im puberal (immature).

English has a list of adjectives that can be used and with suffixes, and with the words " more/most», « less/least».

able(capable);
angry(evil);
clever(clever);
common(general);
cruel(cruel);
friendly(friendly);
gentle(gentle);
handsome(beautiful);
narrow(narrow);
pleasant(nice);
polite(polite);
quiet(quiet);
serious(serious);
simple(simple);
sour(sour).

Types of adjectives in English

By meaning, adjectives in English are:

  • quality(big - big, small - small, clever - smart).
  • relative(wooden - wooden, central - central), etc.

Relative adjectives in English do not have degrees of comparison, and qualitative adjectives have the following degrees of comparison: positive, comparative and superlative.

Degrees of comparison of adjectives

Qualitative adjectives and adverbs of mode of action in English, as well as in Russian, have three degrees of comparison:

  • absolute,
  • comparative
  • excellent (superlative).

So with absolute the form is clear: long, far, good, active, expensive etc.

comparative form An adjective is used when two or more objects or people are being compared.

A comparative adjective can be formed in two ways:

  • adding a suffix«- er» to the absolute form of the adjective . This applies to single-syllable adjectives (long) and two-syllable adjectives with a “y” at the end (pretty).
This is a long er book.
This doll is prett ier.

Features of education:

in words ending in " e", is added" r» at the end (lam e- lame r);
- in words with one vowel and one consonant at the end doubles consonant and add "- er» (b ig- bi gger);
- in words with more than one vowel or with more than one consonant at the end, add "- er» at the end (ha rd- hard er).

  • adding « more» before an adjective. This applies to two-syllable adjectives without a "y" at the end (charming) and adjectives with three or more syllables (powerful).
She is more charming than her friend.
This gun is more powerful than that one.

Features of education:

When comparing two objects (people), the word " than» located between adjective and object of comparison.

oranges are sweeter than grapefruits.
This painting is more interesting than that painting.

Superlatives used to show that a thing or person has the greatest amount of a particular quality (in a group or in its kind). Commonly used with article« the».

It can also be formed in two ways.

  • adding «- est» to absolute form. This applies to single-syllable adjectives (big) and two-syllable adjectives ending in "y" (lucky).
This is the bigg est table in the room.
I'm the luck iest person in the company.

Features of education:

- in words, h ending in " e", the suffix "- st» at the end (large - the large st);
- in words with one vowel and one consonant at the end, the consonant is doubled and "-" is added est» (big-bi gigest);
- in words with more than one vowel or with more than one consonant at the end, add "- est» (blue-blu est);
in words ending in " y', it is replaced by ' i" with addition "- est"(pretty - prettiest).

  • adding « the most» before adjective. Applies to two-syllable adjectives with a "y" at the end, as well as adjectives with three or more syllables.
This is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen.
This is the most popular song on the list.
That was the most powerful weapon.

Note: adjectives in comparative and superlative degrees come before all others.

I'd like to buy this more beautiful white rose. - I would like to buy this more beautiful white rose.
At the there ceremony were some of the best young French actresses. - The ceremony was attended by some of the best young French actresses.

positive adjective form

The positive form is used when no difference between two compared things or people.

To form a positive, we use " as» before and after the absolute form of the adjective.

Danny is as smart as Phillip.
She is as beautiful as her older sister.

This can also be applied in a negative context by adding the word " not» before first « as". So we indicate that the compared objects not alike.

Danny is not as smart as Phillip.
She is not as beautiful as her older sister.

Exception adjectives

The following adjectives, the degrees of comparison of which are not formed according to the general rule, and 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(many - more - largest);
old- older- the oldest(old - older - oldest);
old- elder-the eldest(old - older - oldest) - about family members;
late- later- the latest/last(later - later - last / last in time);
late- the latter- the last(late - the second of the two listed - the last in order);
near- nearer - the nearest(closer - closer - closest in distance);
near- nearer- next/the next(closer - closer - next in time / next in order);
far- farther- the farthest(far - farthest - farthest);
far- further- the furthest(distant, distant - further - further / additional).

Using the article with adjectives

A noun with a definition expressed by an adjective in a superlative degree is used with a definite articleif the meaning does not require any pronoun.

London is the largest city in the UK.
My best friend lives in Seattle.

The definite article is preserved before the superlative degree even when the noun is not mentioned (that is, the noun is implied).

The London underground is the most beautiful in the world.

An English sentence, the two parts of which (separated by a comma) begin with an adjective or an adverb in a comparative degree with a definite article in front of it, is translated into Russian using the conjunctions " how …, topics … »:

The more we suffer, the stronger we get.

Note: in English we can make nouns out of adjectives. For this we need to add definite article « the» before an adjective, and we get the word in plural number.

All the doctors examined the sick. - All doctors examined sick.
He always used to help the poor. - He always helped before poor.
The rich also cry. - Rich cry too.

Adjectives ending in "- sh» «- ch» (English, French), turning into nouns, are used with a plural meaning to refer to the nation as a whole.

In this case, they are preceded by the definite article: the French (French), the English (English), the Dutch (Dutch), the Spanish (Spaniards).

Top 100 Basic Adjectives

Eng Rus
nice good, cute
good good
bad bad
terrible horrible
beautiful beautiful
incredible magic
important important
useless useless
helpful useful
small little
big large
short short
long long
tall tall
strong strong
weak weak
funny funny
interesting interesting
boring boring
angry evil
kind kind
happy happy
sad sad
satisfied satisfied
wonderful beautiful
slow slow
fast fast
dangerous dangerous
safety safe
possible possible
impossible impossible
early early
late late
cold cold
warm warm
hot hot
sunny solar
clean clean, clear
clever clever
stupid silly
young young
old old
new new
dark dark
bright bright
live alive
dead dead
crazy crazy
easy simple
hard complicated
true right
false wrong
hungry hungry
comfortable convenient
lonely lonely
talkative talkative
active active
passive passive
tired tired
shy modest
rich rich
successful successful
tasty tasty
sweet sweet
lovely delightful
deep deep
far far
close close
round round
sharp spicy
soft soft
straight straight
red red
yellow yellow
orange orange
green green
blue blue
black black
gray grey
white white
colored color
fresh fresh
simple simple
complicated complicated
common general, common
rare rare
unique unique
serious serious
busy busy
different another, different
lucky lucky
perfect ideal
surprised surprised
shocked shocked
happy pleased
excellent a great
wet wet
dry dry
normal normal
free free

Conclusion

We hope that the topic of adjectives is now more than clear to you. To consolidate the material, we suggest you try our simulator for adjectives and degrees of comparison.

EnglishDom #we inspire to learn

The adjective - an adjective in English denotes a distinctive feature of the subject (subject) in three degrees. In accordance with the type (simple or complex, that is, monosyllabic or polysyllabic), it is possible to form a construction of a comparative or superlative degree of an adjective.

Words denoting colors (white, red, blue), qualities of a person and objects (prudent, strong, fearful, clean, wet) are all adjectives.

Rules for the formation of degrees of simple (monosyllabic) adjectives

  • positive degree - positive degree;
  • comparative degree - comparative degree;
  • superlative degree - superlative degree.

A simple adjective is created by adding the suffix -est if the word is simple (monosyllabic). In addition, the superlative degree is characterized by the addition of the definite article (the) to the adjective, since now we are talking not about a simple subject (subject in a sentence or in a phrase), but about the best and most outstanding of its kind.

The simplest examples of the use of monosyllabic adjectives in the superlative degree of comparison:

  • strong - the strongest (strong - the strongest or strongest);
  • sharp - the sharpest (sharp - the sharpest or sharpest);
  • clever - the cleverest (smart - the smartest or smartest);
  • neat - the neatest (neat - the neatest or neatest);
  • short - the shortest (short - the shortest or shortest);
  • East or West home is best - East or West - home is better (an analogue of the Russian proverb "Away is good, but home is better").

If the adjective ends in -y, as in other similar words, that letter changes to -i. And only then a sign of superlative degree is added, that is, the ending -est:

  • naughty - naughtiest (naughty - the most naughty);
  • pretty - prettiest (charming - the most charming);
  • dry - driest (dry - the driest);
  • noisy - noisest (noisy - the noisiest);
  • happy - happiest (happy - happiest);
  • dirty - dirtiest (dirty - the dirtiest);
  • messy - messiest (sloppy - the most sloppy).

Simple words obey the same rule: ugly (ugly, ugly), busy (busy).

An adjective ending in the vowel e loses the last letter:

  • nice - nicest (good - the best or the nicest);
  • white - whitest (white - the whitest or whitest);
  • rare - rarest (rare - the rarest or rarest).

In simple one-syllable adjectives, after a short vowel, the consonant is doubled:

  • big - biggest (big - biggest);
  • fat - fattest (thick - the thickest);
  • red - reddest (red - the reddest);
  • hot - hottest (hot - the hottest).

The same rule includes the words: sad (sad, sad), hot (hot), wet (wet).

Suggestion examples:

Europe is the largest continent - Europe is the widest continent.

Oceania is the smallest continent - Oceania is the smallest continent.

Exceptions to the rules

The superlative degree of an adjective in English may not be formed according to the typical rules. These examples are people who study English at first, try to remember by heart or always have a cheat sheet with them:

  • good - best (good - the best);
  • bad - worst (bad - the worst);
  • little - least (small - smallest);
  • many, much - most (a lot - the most or the largest).

The adjective OLD (old) in addition to its exclusivity is distinguished by two forms of superlatives. The most common form:

  • old - oldest (old - oldest or oldest).

But, if we are talking about family members (native people), a different form is used:

  • old - eldest (old - oldest or oldest).

Usage examples

Exceptional superlative adjective. Usage examples:

My diploma work in the best - My diploma work is the best.

This campaign has the worst production - This campaign has the worst production.

My son is the smallest in its class - My son is the smallest in his class.

This book is the oldest in my library - This book is the oldest in my library.

Our great-grandfather is the eldest member of the family - Our great-grandfather is the oldest member of the family.

Try to form the superlatives of the following adjectives:

  • new (new);
  • fast (fast);
  • tall (high);
  • cheap (cheap);
  • expensive (expensive).

Formation of the degree of polysyllabic adjectives

A polysyllabic adjective is one in which there is more than one syllable, that is, a combination of a consonant and a vowel.

In this case, the exclusive construction more - the most, already familiar from the previous explanation, is used. The superlative degree from this combination is simply substituted for the adjective:

  • comfortable - the most comfortable (comfortable - the most comfortable or most comfortable);
  • interesting - the most interesting (interesting - the most interesting or most interesting).

The same with the words: popular (popular), beautiful (beautiful).

Other comparative constructions with adjectives

The superlative degree of an adjective can also be formed by other comparative constructions.

The union than (than) is used if the degree of quality of one object is compared with the degree of quality of another:

This room is larger than that - This room is larger than that one.

Better late than never - Better late than never.

Two heads are better than one - Two heads are better than one.

Green gallary is wider than red - The green gallery is wider than the red one.

Antarctida is bigger than Oceania - Antarctica is bigger than Oceania.

Use of the as…as construction (same...as, same...as). In this case, the adjective is compared in a positive degree between as and as:

This book is as interesting as that - This book is as interesting as that one.

Yellow car as fast as green - A yellow car is as fast as a green one.

This doctor as clever as that one - This doctor is as smart as that one.

Exercises to consolidate the learned

1) Quiz. Try to answer the questions using word constructions with comparative adjectives.

Which country is smaller? (Scotland or England)

Which country is begger? (Russia or Spain)

Which is the largest continent on our planet?

Which is the biggest ocean on our planet?

Which city is older? (Moscow or London)

Which is the smallest country? (Vatican City or Monaco)

2) Read the dialogue between two friends Alison and Tony and try to understand what they are talking about.

Alison: My cat is big. It is beautiful and neat. Your dog is messier than my cat.

Tony: My dog ​​is bigger thn your cat. It is more beautiful than your cat.

Alison: My house is newer than your house. It is the newest in our street.

Tony: No, it's not. Your house is older than my house. Your garden is smaller than my garden.

Alison: Yes, it is. But it is more beautiful. It's the most beautiful garden in our city.

Tony: Our car is bigger, newer, more comfortable and more expensive than your car.

Alison's cat: Alison is as fast and clever as Tony.

Tony's dog: Tony is as fast and clever as Alison.

In English, there are 3 degrees of comparison of adjectives: the positive degree (the positive degree), the comparative degree (the comparative degree) and the superlative degree (the superlative degree).

Note that the adjective comes before the noun and does not change in gender or number.

positive degree adjective means that it is in its initial form and simply indicates the quality of the object, without comparing it with others: tall (tall), old (old), long (long), big (big), thin (thin), fat (thick ). Education comparative and excellent degrees Comparisons depend on how many syllables the adjective contains.

And here are a few rules for the formation of degrees of comparison of adjectives in English with examples of sentences.

  1. One-syllable adjectives add a suffix -er comparative and suffix -est in superlatives:
  • tall - taller - the tallest (high - higher - tallest)
  • old - older - the oldest (old - older, older - oldest, oldest)
  • long - longer - the longest (long - longer - the longest)

Here are some examples:

  • Katie is taller than Rob. - Katie is taller than Rob.
  • Katie is the tallest of all my friends. - Katie is the tallest of my friends.
  • Rob is older than John. - Rob is older than John.
  • Of the three students, Rob is the oldest. - Rob is the oldest of the three students.
  • My hair is longer than your hair. - My hair is longer than yours.
  • Rob "s story is the longest story I" ve ever heard. - Rob's story is the longest I've ever heard.
  1. If a monosyllabic adjective ends in a consonant preceded by a vowel, the consonant is doubled:
  • big - bigger - the biggest (big - more - the biggest)
  • thin - thinner - the thinnest (thin - thinner - thinnest)
  • fat - fatter - the fattest (full - fuller - most complete)

Examples:

  • My house is bigger than your house. - My house is bigger than your house.
  • My house is the biggest of all the houses in the neighborhood. - My house is the largest of all in the area.
  • Rob is thinner than John. - Rob is thinner than John.
  • Of all the students in the class, Rob is the thinnest. - Rob is the thinnest of all the students in the class.
  • My dog ​​is fatter than your dog. - My dog ​​is fatter than your dog.
  1. Disyllabic adjectives form a comparative degree of comparison by adding more before adjectives, and a superlative degree, adding most:
  • peaceful - more peaceful - the most peaceful (calm, peaceful - calmer - the most peaceful)
  • pleasant - more pleasant - the most pleasant (pleasant - more pleasant - most pleasant)
  • careful - more careful - the most careful (careful - more careful - the most careful)

Suggestion examples:

  • This morning is more peaceful than yesterday morning. - This morning is more peaceful than yesterday.
  • John is more careful than Mike. - John is more careful than Mike.
  • This evening is the most pleasant I "ve ever had. - This evening is the most pleasant of all that I have had.
  1. If a two-syllable adjective ends in -y, then to form a comparative degree, you need to change -y on the -i and add suffix -er, and for superlatives, the suffix -est:
  • happy - happier - the happiest (happy - happier - happiest)
  • angry - angrier - the angriest (angry - meaner - the most evil)
  • busy - busier - the busiest (busy - busier - busiest)

Phrase examples:

  • Robert is happy today than he was yesterday. Today Robert is happier than yesterday.
  • He is the happiest boy in the world. - He is the happiest boy in the world.
  • John is angry than Rob. - John is angrier than Rob.
  • Katie is busier than John. - Katie is busier than John.
  • Katie is the busiest person I "ve ever met. - Katie is the busiest person I've ever met.
  1. Two-syllable adjectives ending in -er, -le, -ow form comparative and superlative degrees of comparison by adding suffixes -er and -est respectively.
  • narrow - narrower - the narrowest (narrow - already - the narrowest)
  • gentle - gentler - the gentlest (noble - nobler - most noble)

Examples:

  • The streets in European countries are narrower than the streets in Russia. - The streets of European cities are narrower than in Russia.
  • This street is the narrowest of all the roads in this town. - This street is the narrowest in this city.
  • Big dogs are gentler than small dogs. - Big dogs are nobler than small ones.

An interesting English video about typical mistakes when using comparative degrees of adjectives (and a bonus - about adverbs!):

  1. For adjectives of three syllables, the comparative and superlative degrees are formed by adding more and most before an adjective.
  • generous - more generous - the most generous (generous - more generous - the most generous)
  • important - more important - the most important (important - more important - the most important)
  • intelligent - more intelligent - the most intelligent (smart - smarter - the smartest)

Suggestion examples:

  • Katie is more generous than Mary. - Katie is more generous than Mary.
  • John is the most generous of all the people I know. - John is the most generous person I know.
  • Health is more important than money. - Health is more important than money.
  • Katie is the most intelligent person I "ve ever met. - Katie is the smartest person I know.
  1. Exception adjectives that have their own comparative and superlative forms:
  • Good - better - the best (good - better - the best)
  • Bad - worse - the worst (bad - worse - the worst)
  • Far - farther - the farthest (far - further - the most distant)
  • Little - less - the least (small - less - smallest)
  • Many - more - the most (many - more - most)

Examples of phrases with exceptions:

  • Italian food is better than American food. - Italian food is better than American food.
  • My dog ​​is the best dog in the world. - My dog ​​is the best in the world.
  • My sister's cooking is worse than your sister's cooking. - My sister cooks worse than yours.

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