Degree of Comparison Rules

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Degrees of Comparison Rules

It is no doubt that the English Language is the most crucial part of most of the entrance exams in India. It forms a significant part of the High School syllabus too and is needed in many competitive exams like banking, SSC, CLAT, CAT, GMAT and proficiency tests. Students often consider English to be the easiest part of any entrance. Well, it can be so if practised smartly. The degree of Comparison is one of the most scoring parts of the English syllabus and it is always advised that students practise it sincerely to do well in their exams. Here, we shall discuss the Degree of Comparison rules.

Forms of Adjective

Adjectives have three forms to be used for comparison : positive, comparative and superlative.

I. In the case of one item or person, the positive is used.
II. In the case of two items or persons, the comparative is used.
III. In the case of three or more than three items or persons, the superlative is used.

Test Your English Proficiency with this Editing Quiz!

Rules of Degree of Comparison

Let’s now have a look at the basic rules of Degree of Comparison.

Rule 1

When the comparison is of a single entity between two people, more or most is to be used.

For eg:
Rita is smarter than Gita – Incorrect
Rita is more smarter than Gita – Correct

Rule 2

When the comparison is between two different qualities of one person or entity, more is used.

For eg:
He is wiser than shrewd – Incorrect
He is more wiser than shrewd – Correct.

Credit: Aimee789

Rule 3 

Double comparatives or superlatives are not used anymore for comparison.

Rule 4

Comparison must be between two similar things.

For instance:
If we are comparing speeds, the comparison must be between the speeds of either a single entity or two or more entities. 

Rule 5

In the case where ‘than’ or ‘as’ is followed by a first person/second person pronoun, the verb can be omitted, but not in the case of third person. 

Example:
She is not as smart as her sister – Incorrect
She is not as smart as her sister is – Correct

Also Read: Top 30 Commonly Confusing Words in English!

Rule 6

Superlative degree should be used for comparing three or more, whereas comparative degree should be used for comparing two.

Rule 7

Two adjectives in different degrees of comparison when being used in the same sentence, must be complete in themselves.

Rule 8

A list of words mentioned below must be followed by ‘to’ and not by ‘than’.

  • Senior
  • Superior
  • Elder
  • Junior
  • Inferior
  • Preferable
  • Prefer

For eg: She is junior to me.

Also Read: English Vocabulary: Tips to Improve

Rule 9

We can’t use ‘More’ or ‘Most’ for adjectives that make absolute sense in themselves. For words like unique, parallel or universe.

These were the rules of degree of comparison. Now let’s have a look at the various examples: 

POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
big bigger biggest
Small  smaller smallest
good better best
brief briefer briefest
Beautiful  More beautiful Most beautiful
Busy Busier  Busiest 
bright brighter brightest
clean cleaner cleaner
Cheap  cheaper cheapest
expensive More expensive Most expensive
close closer closest
clear clearer clearest
dark darker darkest
deep deeper deepest
dry drier driest
dense denser densest
Cool  cooler coolest

Degree of Comparison Rules: Exercises

Now let’s take a look at our progress by solving a few questions.

1. Please take the ———- of the two routes.

  • Short
  • Shorter
  • Shortest

2. India is a —— country.

  • Big
  • More big
  • Bigger

3. She is —— than her sister.

  • Smart
  • Smarter
  • Smartest

4. Jahnvi is a —— girl.

  • Nice
  • Nicer
  • Nicest

5. Ishika is the ——————– girl in her class.

  • Most intelligent
  • Intelligent
  • More Intelligent

6. I am ——— than you.

  • Smartest
  • Smart
  • Smarter.

7. This is the ———————– article I have ever read.

  • Most interesting
  • Interesting
  • More interesting

8.  He speaks German ——-.

  • Better
  • Well
  • Best

Answers:

  1. B. shorter
  2. a . big
  3. B. smarter
  4. A. nice
  5. A. most intelligent
  6. C. smarter
  7. A. most interesting
  8. B. well 

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So, this was all about the degree of comparison rules. Hope you found it to be helpful and informative. For more such content, stay connected to Leverage Edu!

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9 comments
  1. It is nice to I can understand it it is nice way learn this It’s a very good Formula to teach.I like this formula

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