Life is hard to imagine without juxtaposing objects or people. Therefore, in the Russian language there are two comparative degrees of qualitative adjectives. And what is the situation in foreign grammar? As for the English language, here everything is unchanged in the construction of both superlative and comparative degrees.
English features
As mentioned above, in English, as in Russian, there is a comparative and superlative degree. There is also a positive one that does not express a comparison. Simply put, this is the usual form of the adjective. For example, dark (dark).
But in English there are some difficulties in the formation of comparative degrees that are different from ours. To master them you will need a little practice and theory.
comparative
A comparative degree of monosyllabic adjectives is formed by adding the -er suffix. Some two-syllable adjectives obey this rule.
An example of monosyllables is given in the table.
| Positive degree | comparative | Examples |
| wide - wide | wider - wider, wider | Roads in Germany are wider than ours. Roads in Germany are wider than ours. |
| slow - slow | slower - slower | He runs slower than me. He runs slower than me. |
| cheap - cheap | cheaper - cheaper | Here, shoes are cheaper than in other places. Here, shoes are cheaper than in other places. |
| heavy - heavy | heavier - heavier | Your backpack is heavier than mine. Your backpack is heavier than mine. |
| kind - kind | kinder - kinder | He is kinder of all my friends. He is kinder than all my friends. |
There are cases when the adjective has the ending -e. In this case, just r is added. If the word ends with any other vowel letter, then it is replaced by i and the suffix -er is added.
Polysyllabic adjectives are comparatively formed using the word more.
| Positive degree | comparative | Examples |
| magnificent (magnificent) | more magnificent | This car is more magnificent than all others. This car is more magnificent than all others. |
| diverse | more diverse | Here life is more diverse than in our city. Here life is more diverse than in our city. |
| colorful | more colorful | This festival is more colorful than the previous festival. This festival is more colorful than the previous one. |
| reliable | more reliable (more reliable, more reliable) | This part is more reliable. This item is more reliable. |
| perfect (perfect, impeccable) | more perfect | These technologies are more perfect. These technologies are more advanced. |
Superlative in English
The suffix -est and the definite article participate in education. Moreover, a superlative degree in English can be similar to a comparative one. This applies to some adjectives exceptions.
Consider a variant with monosyllabic adjectives:
| Positive degree | Superlative | Examples |
| quiet | the quietest | This is the quietest part of the city. This is the quietest part of the city. |
| pretty | the prettiest (cutest) | She is the prettiest at the ball. She is the cutest at the ball. |
| small | the smallest (smallest) | This is the smallest pebble in my collection. This is the smallest pebble in my collection. |
| further (far) | the furthest (farthest) | This is the furthest route! This is a distant route! |
In English, the superlative of adjectives is constructed using the definite article and the word most.
| Positive degree | Superlative | Examples |
| boring (boring) | the most boring | The most boring November in life. The most boring November in life. |
| useless | the most useless | It's the most useless thing for my house. This is the most useless thing for my home. |
| attractive (attractive) | the most attractive | The most attractive dress. The most attractive dress. |
| mass | the most mass | The most mass action of workers. The most mass action of workers. |
Exceptions
There are several exceptions to the formation of degrees of comparison in English. These words do not obey any of the rules, you just need to remember them.
| Positive | many, much | bad | good (good) | little (little) |
| Comparative | more (more) | worse (worse, worse) | better (better) | less (less) |
| Superior | the most (largest, largest) | the worst (worst) | the best | the least (smallest, smallest) |
Adjectives that do not have degrees of comparison
Each adjective can be transformed into a superlative degree in English. As in Russian, only adjectives belonging to the category of qualitative ones have degrees of comparison (comparable adjectives). Relative cannot become a comparative or superlative in English. When combined with the words “very” or “too”, they simply lose their meaning.