The adjective - the adjective name in English denotes the distinguishing feature of an object (subject) in three degrees. According to the type (simple or complex, that is, monosyllabic or polysyllabic), a construction of a comparative or superlative degree of an adjective can be formed.
Words denoting colors (white, red, blue), qualities of a person and objects (prudent, strong, fearful, clean, wet) are all adjective names.
Rules for the formation of degrees of simple (monosyllabic) adjectives
Degrees of comparison of adjective names :
- positive degree - a positive degree;
- comparative degree - comparative degree;
- superlative degree
A simple superlative degree of an adjective is created by adding the –est suffix in case the word is simple (monosyllabic). In addition, the superlative degree is characterized by the addition to the adjective of a certain article (the), since we are no longer talking about a simple subject (subject to a sentence or phrase), but about the best and most outstanding of its kind.
The simplest examples of the use of monosyllables of adjectives in superlatives:
- strong - the strongest (strong - the strongest or the strongest);
- sharp - the sharpest (sharp - the sharpest or sharpest);
- clever - the cleverest (smart - the smartest or the smartest);
- neat - the neatest (neat - the most neat or tidy);
- short - the shortest (short - the shortest or shortest);
- East or West home is best - East or West - the house is better (an analogue of the Russian proverb "Visiting is good, but home is better").
If the adjective name ends in -y, as in other similar words, this letter changes to the ending -i. And only then the superlative sign 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 - best or best);
- white - whitest (white is the whitest or whitest);
- rare - rarest (rare - the rarest or rarest).
In simple monosyllabic adjectives, after a short vowel, the consonant doubles:
- big - biggest (big - biggest);
- fat - fattest (thick - the thickest);
- red - reddest (red is the most red);
- hot - hottest (hottest - the hottest).
The same rule applies to the words: sad (sad, sad), hot (hot), wet (wet).
Examples of offers:
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 adjective in English may not be formed according to typical rules. These examples, people who learn English at first, try to memorize by heart or always carry a cheat sheet:
- good - best (good is the best);
- bad - worst (bad - the worst);
- little - least (small - the smallest);
- many, much - most (many - most or largest).
Adjective OLD (old), in addition to its exclusivity, is distinguished by two forms of superlative education. The most common form:
- old - oldest (oldest is the oldest or oldest).
But, if we are talking about family members (relatives), another form is used:
- old - eldest (the oldest is the oldest or oldest).
Examples of use
Exceptional superlative adjective. Examples of use:
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 a superlative degree of the following adjectives:
- new
- fast
- tall
- cheap (cheap);
- expensive (expensive).
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 exceptional construction more - the most already used by the previous explanation is used. The adjective is simply substituted with a superlative from this combination:
- comfortable - the most comfortable (comfortable - the most comfortable or most comfortable);
- interesting - the most interesting (interesting - the most interesting or interesting).
The same with the words: popular (popular), beautiful (beautiful).
Other comparative constructions with adjectives
The superlative degree of the adjective can also be formed by other comparative constructions.
The union than is used when comparing the degree of quality of one subject with the degree of quality of another:
This room is larger than that - This room is larger than that.
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 red.
Antarctida is bigger than Oceania - Antarctica is bigger than Oceania.
Using the as ... as construct (same ... like, same ... like). In this case, the adjective is positively compared 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 green.
This doctor as clever as that one - This doctor is as smart as that one.
Consolidation exercises
1) Quiz. Try to answer the questions, using the construction of words with adjectives in a comparative degree.
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 is 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.