Page 78 - New Grammar with a Smile 4

By changing their form, adjectives can be used to show comparison between two
or more people, animal or things. These different forms of the adjective are called
degrees of comparison.

Adjectives are of three degrees—positive, comparative and superlative.

Ê When we talk about one person, we use the positive degree. For example,
y Sam is a fast runner.

Ê When we compare two people or things, we use the
comparative degree. For example,
y Rohan is faster than Sam.

Ê When we compare more than two people or things, we use the
superlative degree. For example,

y Sanjay is the fastest of all.

For an adjective that ends in a consonant and y, we replace y with
ier for the comparative degree and iest for the superlative degree. For example,

Adjective Comparative Superlative

most single-syllable adjectives tall taller tallest

adjectives ending in -e brave braver bravest

adjectives ending in -y with a heavy heavier heaviest
consonant in front of it happy happier happiest

adjectives ending in -y with a gay gayer gayest

vowel in front of it grey greyer greyest

adjectives with consonant-vowel- big bigger biggest
consonant pattern red redder reddest

adjectives ending in -ed, -ing, -ful, beautiful more beautiful most beautiful

-ous, -er, -ive learned more learned most learned

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