Degrees of Comparison
Regular Comparison
Modifiers change form to show comparison.
The three degrees of comparison are the positive, the comparative, and the superlative.
(1) Most one-syllable modifiers form the comparative degree by adding –er and the superlative degree by adding –est.
| POSITIVE | COMPARATIVE | SUPERLATIVE | |
| ONE SYLLABLE | loud | louder | loudest |
(2) Two-syllable modifiers may form the comparative degree by adding –er and the superlative degree by adding –est, or they may form the comparative degree by using more and the superlative degree by using most.
| POSITIVE | COMPARATIVE | SUPERLATIVE | |
| TWO SYLLABLES | sunny | sunnier, more sunny | sunniest, most sunny |
(3) Modifiers that have three or more syllables form the comparative degree by using more and the superlative degree by using most.
| POSITIVE | COMPARATIVE | SUPERLATIVE | |
| THREE SYLLABLES |
dramatic |
more dramatic | most dramatic |
(4) To show a decrease in the qualities they express, modifiers form the comparative degree by using less and the superlative degree by using least.
| POSITIVE | COMPARATIVE | SUPERLATIVE | |
| DECREASING |
fragile |
less fragile | least fragile |
Irregular Comparison
Some modifiers are irregular. They do not form the comparative and superlative degrees with the usual methods.
| POSITIVE | COMPARATIVE | SUPERLATIVE | |
| EXAMPLES |
bad |
worse | worst |
|
good |
better | best | |
|
many |
more |
most |