Degrees of Comparison: Definitions, Rules, Exercise & Examples

Degrees of Comparison: Degrees of Comparison are a key part of English grammar. They help us compare the qualities of people, places, or things. They help show if something has the same quality, more of it, or the most. There are three types: positive, comparative, and superlative. The positive degree shows a quality (e.g., tall). The comparative degree compares two things (e.g., taller).

The superlative degree compares three or more (e.g., tallest). Using these correctly makes your writing clearer. This guide will explain the rules, give simple examples, and include a helpful Degrees of Comparison worksheet with answers. Learning degrees of comparison is easy with the right practice!

What is Degrees of Comparison?

In English grammar, degrees of comparison are forms of adjectives or adverbs used to compare one noun or pronoun with another based on a similar quality. According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, the degree of comparison is “the form of an adjective or adverb that shows whether something has more or the most of a particular quality.”

The Cambridge Dictionary explains it as “the three forms of adjectives or adverbs that show increasing or decreasing intensity: positive, comparative, and superlative.” These degrees help us describe and compare the qualities of people, objects, or places in a sentence. By using the positive, comparative, and superlative degrees, we can express differences and similarities in a clear and structured way.

These degrees help make sentences clearer and more meaningful by showing how one noun differs in quality from another. Learning the rules of degrees of comparison is important for using adjectives correctly in writing and speech.

Types of Degrees of Comparison in English Grammar

In English grammar, degrees of comparison are used to compare the qualities of nouns or pronouns using adjectives or adverbs. There are three main types of degrees of comparison: Positive, Comparative, and Superlative. Each one shows the level or intensity of a quality and helps in expressing comparisons clearly.

1. Positive Degree

The positive degree is the base form of an adjective or adverb. It is used when we talk about the quality of a single person or thing, without comparing it to others.

Example

• This house is big.
• She is smart.

2. Comparative Degree

The comparative degree is used to compare two people, places, animals, or things. Most adjectives form the comparative by adding “-er” or using “more” before the word.

Example:

• This house is bigger than that one.
• She is more intelligent than her sister.

3. Superlative Degree

The superlative degree is used to compare three or more nouns. It shows the highest or lowest degree of quality. We usually form it by adding “-est” or using “most” before the adjective.

Example:

• This is the biggest house on the street.
• She is the most talented student in the class.

Rules for Using Degrees of Comparison in English Grammar

When you’re writing or speaking in English, it’s important to use degrees of comparison correctly. These rules help you form and apply the positive, comparative, and superlative forms of adjectives and adverbs the right way. Let’s go through each type and understand how to use them properly.

Rules for the Positive Degree

What it means: The positive degree shows a quality without comparing it to anything else.

How to form it: Use the base form of the adjective or adverb.

When to use: When you describe one person or thing without comparison.

Example:

• She is kind.
• This cake tastes sweet.

Rules for the Comparative Degree

The comparative degree helps you compare two people, animals, or things. How you form it depends on the number of syllables in the adjective.

🔹 One-syllable adjectives:

Rule: Add “-er” to the word.

Example:

• small → smaller
• fast → faster

🔹 Two-syllable adjectives ending in “y”:

Rule: Change the “y” to “i” and add “-er.”

Example:

• happy → happier
• busy → busier

🔹 Adjectives with two or more syllables (not ending in “y”):

Rule: Use “more” or “less” before the adjective.

Example:

• careful → more careful
• interesting → less interesting

🔹 Irregular comparative forms:

Rule: Some adjectives change form completely.

Example:

• good → better
• bad → worse

Use the comparative degree when comparing two nouns.

Example:

• This book is more interesting than the last one.
• He runs faster than his friend.

Rules for the Superlative Degree

Use the superlative degree when comparing three or more nouns. It shows the highest or lowest level of a quality.

🔹 One-syllable adjectives:

Rule: Add “-est” to the adjective.

Example:

• tall → tallest
• cold → coldest

🔹 Two-syllable adjectives ending in “y”:

Rule: Change “y” to “i” and add “-est.”

Example:

• happy → happiest
• easy → easiest

🔹 Adjectives with two or more syllables:

Rule: Use “most” or “least” before the adjective.

Example:

• beautiful → most beautiful
• comfortable → least comfortable

🔹 Irregular superlative forms:

Rule: Some adjectives don’t follow normal patterns.

Example:

• good → best
• bad → worst

Use the superlative when comparing three or more things.

Example:

• She is the smartest student in the class.
• This is the most expensive item on the menu.

Special Grammar Rules and Helpful Tips

Avoid double comparatives and superlatives

Rule: Don’t use “more” or “most” with adjectives that already use “-er” or “-est.”

Incorrect: more smarter, most fastest

Correct: smarter, fastest

Follow the same rules for adverbs

Rule: Adverbs that end in “-ly” use “more” or “most.”

Example:

• quickly → more quickly, most quickly
• happily → more happily, most happily

Know your absolute adjectives

Rule: Adjectives like perfect, unique, complete, or empty already describe an absolute state. They don’t have comparative or superlative forms.

Incorrect: more perfect, most unique

Correct: perfect, unique

Always consider the context

Tip: Choose the degree of comparison based on the number of things you’re comparing. Use clear sentence structure to make the comparison logical and easy to understand.

Also Check: Degrees of Comparison Worksheet

What Are Degrees of Comparison in Adjectives?

Degrees of Comparison refer to the forms adjectives take to compare one, two, or more nouns.

There are three degrees: