Adjective Degrees

Positive Form

Use the positive form of the adjective if the comparison contains one of the following expressions:

as … as – equality

Example: Jane is as tall as John.

not as … as / not so … as – inferiority

Example: John is not as tall as Arnie.

Comparative Form and Superlative Form (-er/-est)

one-syllable adjectives (clean, new, cheap)

two-syllable adjectives ending in -y or -er (easy, happy, pretty, dirty, clever)

positive form→ comparative form→ superlative form

clean                        cleaner                (the) cleanest

Exceptions in spelling when adding -er / -est

silent ‘e’ is dropped

Example: late-later-latest

final ‘y’ after a consonant becomes i

Example: easy-easier-easiest

final consonant after short, stressed vowel is doubled

Example: hot-hotter-hottest

Comparative Form and Superlative Form (more/most)

positive form→ comparative form→ superlative form

adjectives of three or more syllables (and two-syllable adjectives not ending in -y/-er)

difficult – more difficult –  most difficult

Comparative Form and Superlative Form (irregular comparisons)

positive form→ comparative form→ superlative form

good – better - best

bad - worse - worst

Exercises: one two three four five six seven