Definition of degrees In English


What is an Adjective?

An adjective is a word that describes a noun or a pronoun. In other words, an adjective is a word that adds something to the meaning of a noun or pronoun. Adjectives modify the meaning of nouns and pronouns. 

An adjective is used before a noun, as in “A good boy” or after a linking verb, as in “He is happy.”. The first one is called an attributive adjective, and the second one is called a predicative adjective. 


Examples:

I met a good girl yesterday. (Attributive adjective) 

She is short and I'm tall. (Predicative adjective) 


Degrees of Adjectives in English

Degrees of adjectives and adverbs in English show the level or intensity of those adjectives and adverbs. 

In English, we have three types of degrees of adjectives and adverbs. They are positive, comparative and superlative degrees. 


1. Positive Degree shows no comparison. In other words, there are adjectives and adverbs which are used simply and don't indicate any kind of comparison between two persons or things. In positive degrees, simple adjectives and adverbs are used. 


In the following examples, the simple adjective, ‘good’ and adverb, ‘fast’ show no comparison, hence they are said to be in positive degrees. 


Examples:

He is good. 

He goes fast. 


2. Comparative Degree shows comparison between two nouns or two pronouns, between two persons or things in some quality. 


In the first example, the comparison is between two persons, ‘He’ and ‘I’ in the quality of being good. 

In the second sentence, the comparison is between our cat and your cat in the quality of being lovely. 


Examples:

He is better than I (am)

Our cat is more lovely than yours. 


Two rules Regarding the Formation of  Comparative Degree 


1. If an adjective or adverb is not polysyllabic, (not having more than one vowel sound in it)  then ‘er’ is added to the adjective or adverb to make it comparative degree. And of course, in comparison, you need to usually use the word, Than. 


Examples:

(Adjectives) 

Big→Bigger 

Small→ Smaller

Tall→ Taller 

Thin → Thinner

Fat → Fatter 

Sad → Sadder 


(Adverbs)

Fast → Faster 

Hard → Harder 

Long → Longer 


2. If an adjective or adverb is polysyllabic (having more than one vowel sound in it), then the comparing word, ‘more’ is used followed by ‘than’ to form comparative degrees. 


Examples:

(Adjectives)

Common → More common

Intelligent → More intelligent

Beautiful → More beautiful

Handsome → More handsome

Generous → More generous


(Adverbs) 

Adversely → More adversely

Beautifully → More beautifully

Effectively → More effectively


3. Superlative Degree shows the highest or least level of adjectives or adverbs. In other words, superlative degrees or forms of adjectives or adverbs are used to show that the noun or pronoun for which they are used have the greatest or the least level of that quality. 


Examples:

He is the best student in our class. 

She does everything most effectively. 


Three Rules For Formation of Superlative Degrees


1. In case of monosyllabic words, (words that have one syllable or one vowel sound in them), ‘est’ is used to form superlative degrees.


Examples:

(Adjectives)

Big → Biggest

Tall → Tallest

Fat → Fattest


(Adverbs)

Long→ Longest

High → Highest

Fast → Fastest 


2. In case of polysyllabic words, ‘most’ is used to make superlative degrees. 


Examples:

(Adjectives)

Beautiful → most beautiful

Handsome → Most handsome

Intelligent → Most intelligent


(Adverbs)


Efficiently → Most efficiently

Effectively → Most effectively

Beautifully → Most beautifully


3. ‘The’ is used in superlative degrees, and ‘than’ is not used. 


Examples:

The best student

The most beautiful woman

The worst thing


Exercise 


Fill in the blanks with appropriate adjectives.


1. He is a...... Student (good/better) 

2. She is.... beautiful girl. (More /the most) 

3. He is.......than me/I (am). (good/better ) 


Answer keys:- 

1. Good 

2. the most

3. better