Degrees of Comparison

 

1. Study the rule.

 

 

 

 

 

We use comparative adjectives to show how the qualities of two people or things can be compared. We use superlative adjectives to show how three or more can be compared.

 

 

 

 

 

2. Match the beginning and ends of the rules. Give examples.

 

 

 

 

 

To make the comparative and superlative of:	you:
one-syllable adjectives ending in –e other one-syllable adjectives two-syllable adjectives ending in –y other two-syllable adjectives longer adjectives	add –er, -est. change y into i and add –er, -est. add –er, -est. put more and the most in front. add –r, -st.

 

 

 

 

 

3. Complete the rule correctly. Give examples.

 

Before - er and - est, we double the last letter of:

a) all adjectives,

b) adjectives that have three letters,

c) adjectives that have one vowel.

d) adjectives that end in one vowel + one consonant.

e) adjectives that end in one consonant.

f) adjectives that end in –g or –t.

 

4. Study the rule.

 

 

 

 

 

There are some exceptions to the rules of form and the patterns listed above. One-syllable adjectives ending in –ed and the adjectives real, right and wrong form the comparative and superlative with more and most. e.g. I was more bored than I was on the flight to Sydney.   Adjectives ending in a consonant +y have - er, - est happy, busy, dirty, funny, happy, healthy, heavy, lovely, lucky, pretty, silly, tidy, etc.   Many two-syllable adjectives ending in –ly, -y, -ow, -r and –l and adjectives common, handsome cruel, gentle, mature, pleasant, polite, quite, simple, stupid can have either more and most or –er and –est. e.g. The photographer wanted something livelier (more lively).   When we add a negative prefix to two-syllable adjectives ending in –y, they can still take –er and –est.

 

 

 

 

 

5. Put the adjectives in brackets into the comparative or superlative form, adding nay necessary words.

 

1. Did you enjoy the film? – It was (funny) I've ever seen.
2. James is very tall. – Yes. He's (tall) boy in our class.
3. Was it a good party? – Yes. I left (late) I had intended.
4. The exam was really difficult. – I agree. It was a lot (difficult) I had expected.
5. How much did you for that bag? - $5. It was (cheap) one I could find.
6. Did you like the black dress? – Yes, but it was far (expensive) the blue one.
7. Why do you want to go to Spain? – Because it it's much (warm) England.
8. Your friend is very clever. – Yes, she's (intelligent) girl I've ever seen.

 

6. We use comparative adjectives to show how the qualities of two people or things can be compared. We use superlative adjectives to show how three or more can be compared.

 

 

 

 

a tiger	large/ a leopard?	large/ all the big cats?
2.   this box	strong/ that one?	strong/ you've got?
3.  Alistair	tall/ anyone/ class	tall/ the class
4.  the State of Alaska	big/ other states/ the US	big/ the US
5.  this wine	expensive/ that one	expensive/ the world
6.  Al's party	interesting/ Pats' party	interesting/ I've ever been

        

7. Read the following reports on two hotels. Then compare them.

 

 

 

 

 

The Supercontinental. Position: 5 minutes from city centre Accommodation: 80 rooms Price: $60-80 per night Facilities: restaurant, nightclub, poll, sauna. Food: wide choice on the menu. Service: efficient but impersonal Comments: rather noisy

The Paramount Hotel Position: 15 minutes form city centre Accommodation: 55 rooms Price: $40-55 per night Facilities: restaurant, bar, tennis court, pool, sauna Food: small choice but excellent Service: a little slow but friendly Comments: quiet and comfortable

 

 

 

 

 

8. Put the adjectives in brackets into the comparative or superlative form, adding any necessary words.

Dear Anita,

I'm writing to tell you about the auction I went to last weekend. It was held in (large) house in the village and items being sold were far (beautiful) I had expected.

I saw (pretty) vase I've ever seen, but it was also (expensive) item there, so I couldn't afford to buy it. I bid for some chairs. They were far (nice) than mine, but unfortunately someone made a (good) offer than me and I couldn't afford to make (high) bid. In the end, I bought (small) item of all, although it was not (cheap) of all! It was a gold locket, which I'm going to give to my (old) daughter on her 18^th birthday. I think it (lovely) necklace I've ever seen and it was (easy) to carry home than a set of chairs!

I enjoyed the auction very much and hope to go to another very soon. Perhaps next time you'll come with me.                                                                                                                                       Love, Maggie.

 

9. Write the correct form of the comparative or superlative and complete the sentences with your own  ideas.

 

1. In my opinion, _________ (dangerous) animal of all.
2. __________ is __________ (nice) place I've ever been to.
3. __________ (sweet) sugar.
4. I think __________ (difficult) subject of all.
5. __________ (valuable) rubies.
6. __________ healthy food of all.
7. __________ (intelligent) person I have ever met.
8. __________ (expensive) silver jewelry.
9. The winter in __________ (cold) the one in __________.
10. __________ is (exotic) fruit for me.

 

10. Compare the following jobs: taxi driver, teacher, policeman, doctor using the adjectives from the list – exciting, imaginative, rewarding, tiring, stressful as in the examples.

       e.g.  Being a taxi driver is not so exciting as being a teacher.

               Being a teacher is twice as exciting as being a taxi driver.

               Being a doctor is by far the most exciting job of all.