Degrees of Comparison 100 Examples with Answers and Exercises

Degree of comparison refers to the different forms of an adjective or adverb that indicate the intensity or relative quality of a person, thing, or action. There are three degrees of comparison: positive, comparative, and superlative. In this article, you will learn the definition of degree of comparison, the all facts about different degrees of comparison, how they can be used and the rules to be followed when using them along with examples.

Degree of Comparison

In Modern English grammar, words used to describe the meaning and give more information about the nouns in a particular sentence or context are known as adjectives. Sometimes, there might be more than one noun that possesses the same quality as another one or sometimes, even better than one or more of the other nouns involved. n other words, To make a comparison between nouns with comparable quality or attributes of similar qualities, we can make use of a degree of comparison.

What is Degrees of Comparison?

In English grammar, degree of comparison is used to compare the attributes or features of distinct people, things, or actions. A degree of comparison is a type of adjective in the English language that is used to compare one person or object with another that has the same quality. It is similar to an adjective or an adverb in a sentence. Positive, comparative, and superlative comparisons are the three levels of comparison.

Degrees of Comparison Definition

The degrees of comparison is a type of adjective used in English to contrast one thing or person with another that shares the same attribute. It is connected to the sentence’s adjective or adverb. The listing of an adjective or adverb’s positive, comparative, and superlative forms is what the Collins Dictionary refers to as the “degree of comparison.” In other words, it can be claimed that one can compare nouns that have similar properties or attributes using the degree of comparison.

Types of Degrees of Comparison

There are three types of degrees of comparison:

1. Positive degree of comparison.
2. Comparative degree of comparison.
3. Superlative degree of comparison.

Let’s take a closer look at each of the different types of degree of comparison mentioned above.

Positive Degree of Comparison

The adjective’s original form is essentially the positive degree of comparison. You cannot draw any comparisons with this degree. It simply informs the audience of a certain characteristic a noun possesses.

Positive Degree Examples

1. The giraffe is tall.
2. The dress is pretty.
3. My friend is happy.
4. The Sun is bright.

Comparative Degree of Comparison

To compare two nouns that share the same characteristic or the same quality at two separate times, use the comparative degree of comparison. It demonstrates which of the two possesses the referred-to quality to a greater or lesser degree.

Comparative Degree Examples

• Tisha looks happier than Kylie.
• This couch is more comfortable than the other couch.
• Your hair is shorter than hers.
• My younger brother is taller than me.

Superlative Degree of Comparison

The highest level of comparison is a superlative comparison. It is used to compare the similar characteristics that more than two nouns have in common. It reveals which of the nouns under comparison possesses the mentioned attribute or qualities to the greatest or least degree.

Superlative Degree Examples

• Tisha is the most intelligent student among all the students.
• This couch is the most comfortable.
• Shivani is the tallest girl in our gang.
• My younger brother is the heaviest among all the family members.

Degrees of Comparison Rules

The degrees of comparison include some rules and criteria that you must keep in mind, just like any other grammar element in English. Look at the following.

1. Degree of comparison are used to compare adjectives and adverbs, which is the first thing you should keep in mind regarding them.
2. The base form of the adjective or adverb, which allows no comparison, is called the positive degree of comparison.
3. In order to compare two nouns that share or lack the same features, the comparative degree of comparison is used. The suffix “-er” at the end of the adjective serves as the primary indicator.
4. After the comparative form of the adjective, “than” is always added to show the comparative degree of comparison.
5. To demonstrate which noun possesses the most or least amount of a quality or set of attributes, the superlative degree of comparison is utilised. The usage indicates it.

Degrees of Comparison Examples with Answers

Degrees of comparison are used in grammar to show the degree of a quality or characteristic of a person, thing, or idea. The three degrees of comparison are the positive, comparative, and superlative degrees. Here are some examples of each:

1. Positive degree: The positive degree is the simple form of an adjective or adverb that does not compare one thing to another.

• The sun is hot.
• She is beautiful.
• He sings well.

2. Comparative degree: The comparative degree is used to compare two things and is formed by adding -er to the end of the adjective or by using “more” before the adverb.

• The sun is hotter than the moon.
• She is more beautiful than her sister.
• He sings better than his friend.

3. Superlative degree: The superlative degree is used to compare more than two things and is formed by adding -est to the end of the adjective or by using “most” before the adverb.

• The sun is the hottest star in the sky.
• She is the most beautiful woman in the world.
• He sings the best out of all his classmates.

Note that some adjectives and adverbs have irregular comparative and superlative forms. For example:

• Good -> Better -> Best
• Bad -> Worse -> Worst
• Well -> Better -> Best
• Far -> Farther/Further -> Farthest/Furthest

Examples of Degrees of Comparison in English

The following table consists of examples of all three degrees of comparison.

Before you look at some examples, keep in mind that not all adjectives follow the rule to add “-er” and “-est” to make the comparative and superlative degree of comparison. The various types consist of the following:

Type 1: Adding the suffixes “-er” and “-est” to a monosyllabic adjective’s last consonant.
Type 2: Adding the suffixes “-er” and “-est” to monosyllabic adjectives in which the final consonant is followed by a different consonant or by two vowels.
Type 3: Adjectives ending in “e” are given the “-r” and “-st” suffixes in Type 3.

Type 4: Adjectives with a ‘y’ ending are given the suffixes -ier and -iest.

Type 5: Adding “more” and “most” to adjectives with multiple syllables.

Type 6: Adjectives of Type 6 are irregular

Here is a list of examples of degree of comparison that you can look upon for a better understanding.

Type 1

Type 2

Type 3

Type 4

Type 5

Type 6

Degrees of Comparison 100 Examples

Very Important 100 examples of degrees of comparison (positive, comparative, and superlative forms) in English given below. The positive degree is the base form of an adjective, the comparative compares two things, and the superlative compares more than two.

1. Small – smaller – smallest
2. Big – bigger – biggest
3. Tall – taller – tallest
4. Short – shorter – shortest
5. Long – longer – longest
6. Strong – stronger – strongest
7. Weak – weaker – weakest
8. Fast – faster – fastest
9. Slow – slower – slowest
10. Heavy – heavier – heaviest
11. Light – lighter – lightest
12. Old – older – oldest
13. Young – younger – youngest
14. Hot – hotter – hottest
15. Cold – colder – coldest
16. Warm – warmer – warmest
17. Brave – braver – bravest
18. Clever – cleverer – cleverest
19. Quiet – quieter – quietest
20. Rich – richer – richest
21. Poor – poorer – poorest
22. Thick – thicker – thickest
23. Thin – thinner – thinnest
24. Wide – wider – widest
25. Narrow – narrower – narrowest
26. Bright – brighter – brightest
27. Dark – darker – darkest
28. Deep – deeper – deepest
29. High – higher – highest
30. Low – lower – lowest
31. Clean – cleaner – cleanest
32. Dirty – dirtier – dirtiest
33. Pretty – prettier – prettiest
34. Ugly – uglier – ugliest
35. Happy – happier – happiest
36. Sad – sadder – saddest
37. Angry – angrier – angriest
38. Friendly – friendlier – friendliest
39. Easy – easier – easiest
40. Hard – harder – hardest
41. Near – nearer – nearest
42. Far – farther/further – farthest/furthest
43. Fine – finer – finest
44. Nice – nicer – nicest
45. Tough – tougher – toughest
46. Safe – safer – safest
47. Dangerous – more dangerous – most dangerous
48. Expensive – more expensive – most expensive
49. Famous – more famous – most famous
50. Important – more important – most important
51. Popular – more popular – most popular
52. Comfortable – more comfortable – most comfortable
53. Interesting – more interesting – most interesting
54. Beautiful – more beautiful – most beautiful
55. Delicious – more delicious – most delicious
56. Generous – more generous – most generous
57. Curious – more curious – most curious
58. Honest – more honest – most honest
59. Polite – more polite – most polite
60. Active – more active – most active
61. Creative – more creative – most creative
62. Intelligent – more intelligent – most intelligent
63. Attractive – more attractive – most attractive
64. Comfortable – more comfortable – most comfortable
65. Exciting – more exciting – most exciting
66. Important – more important – most important
67. Powerful – more powerful – most powerful
68. Efficient – more efficient – most efficient
69. Difficult – more difficult – most difficult
70. Awful – more awful – most awful
71. Careful – more careful – most careful
72. Dangerous – more dangerous – most dangerous
73. Faithful – more faithful – most faithful
74. Horrible – more horrible – most horrible
75. Confident – more confident – most confident
76. Delightful – more delightful – most delightful
77. Useful – more useful – most useful
78. Powerful – more powerful – most powerful
79. Successful – more successful – most successful
80. Excited – more excited – most excited
81. Advanced – more advanced – most advanced
82. Accurate – more accurate – most accurate
83. Efficient – more efficient – most efficient
84. Obedient – more obedient – most obedient
85. Patient – more patient – most patient
86. Confusing – more confusing – most confusing
87. Expensive – more expensive – most expensive
88. Amazing – more amazing – most amazing
89. Reliable – more reliable – most reliable
90. Understanding – more understanding – most understanding
91. Fantastic – more fantastic – most fantastic
92. Convenient – more convenient – most convenient
93. Sensitive – more sensitive – most sensitive
94. Valuable – more valuable – most valuable
95. Innovative – more innovative – most innovative
96. Flexible – more flexible – most flexible
97. Aggressive – more aggressive – most aggressive
98. Respectful – more respectful – most respectful
99. Effective – more effective – most effective
100. Efficient – more efficient – most efficient

These examples cover a wide range of adjectives, showing how their comparative and superlative forms are used in English.

Degrees of Comparison Exercise

Exercise based on the degree of comparison is given below assess yourself by doing this:

1. No other girl is as ……………………. as Jane. (tall / taller / tallest)

2. Milk is ………………….. than any other food. (nourishing / more nourishing / most nourishing)

3. Radium is one of the ……………………… metals. (valuable / more valuable / most valuable)

4. Few English poets were as ……………………. as Wordsworth. (great / greater / greatest)

5. Shimla is ………………….. than most other hill stations in India. (famous / more famous / most famous)

6. Gold is one of the ……………………. metals. (precious / more precious / most precious)

7. Solomon was …………………… than any other king. (wise / wiser / wisest)

8. Few historians write as ………………….. as Macaulay. (well / better /best)

9. Very few books are as ……………………. as David Copperfield. (popular / more popular / most popular)

10. A train is …………………. than a car. (fast / faster / fastest)

Check Yourself

1. No other girl is as tall as Jane.

2. Milk is more nourishing than any other food.

3. Radium is one of the most valuable metals.

4. Few English poets were as great as Wordsworth.

5. Shimla is more famous than most other hill stations in India.

6. Gold is one of the most precious metals.

7. Solomon was wiser than any other king.

8. Few historians write as well as Macaulay.

9. Very few books are as popular as David Copperfield.

10. A train is faster than a car.

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