Comparison of Modifiers

Comparison of Modifiers

• Comparison shows increasing/decreasing degrees of quality in modifiers, allowing for precise descriptions.

• Three degrees of comparison:

  • Positive: Modifies a single thing, indicating a base quality.

  • Comparative: Describes one of two things, showing which has a greater or lesser degree of the quality.

  • Superlative: Describes one of three or more things, indicating the highest or lowest degree of the quality.

Forming Comparative and Superlative Degrees

• Most one-syllable modifiers: add -er and -est to form the comparative and superlative degrees, respectively.

  • Example: fast, faster, fastest

• Some two-syllable modifiers: add -er and -est OR use more and most. Usage depends on the specific word and style preferences.

  • Examples: simple, simpler, simplest; freely, more freely, most freely

• Modifiers of more than two syllables: use more and most to form the comparative and superlative degrees.

  • Examples: efficient, more efficient, most efficient

• To show a decrease in qualities: use less and least with all modifiers. This provides a way to indicate a lower degree of a particular quality.

  • Examples: proud, less proud, least proud

Irregular Forms

• Some modifiers have irregular comparative and superlative forms, which do not follow the standard -er/-est or more/most patterns. It's important to memorize these.

  • bad, worse, worst

  • well/good, better, best

  • many/much, more, most