Grammatical constructions used for comparing adjectives
There are three forms of comparison:
- positive
- comparative
- superlative
1. Comparison with -er/-est
clean → cleaner → (the) cleanest
We use -er/-est with the following adjectives:
1.1. Adjectives with one syllable
positive | comparative | superlative |
---|---|---|
clean | cleaner | cleanest |
new | newer | newest |
cheap | cheaper | cheapest |
1.2. Adjectives with two syllables and the following endings:
1.2.1. Adjectives with two syllables, ending in -y
positive | comparative | superlative |
---|---|---|
dirty | dirtier | dirtiest |
easy | easier | easiest |
happy | happier | happiest |
pretty | prettier | prettiest |
1.2.2. Adjectives with two syllables, ending in -er
positive | comparative | superlative |
---|---|---|
clever | cleverer | cleverest |
1.2.3. Adjectives with two syllables, ending in -le
positive | comparative | superlative |
---|---|---|
simple | simpler | simplest |
1.2.4. Adjectives with two syllables, ending in -ow
positive | comparative | superlative |
---|---|---|
narrow | narrower | narrowest |
1.3. Spelling of the adjectives using the endings -er/-est
positive | comparative | superlative | comment |
---|---|---|---|
large | larger | largest | leave out the silent -e |
big | bigger | biggest | Double the consonant after short vowel |
sad | sadder | saddest | |
dirty | dirtier | dirtiest | Change -y to -i (consonant before -y) |
shy | shyer | shyest | Here -y is not changed to -i. (although consonant before -y) |
2. Comparison with more – most
all adjectives with more than one syllable (except some adjectives with two syllables – see 2.1. to 2.4.)
positive | comparative | superlative |
---|---|---|
difficult | more difficult | (the) most difficult |
3. Irregular adjectives
positive | comparative | superlative | comment |
---|---|---|---|
good | better | best | |
bad | worse | worst | |
much | more | most | uncountable nouns |
many | more | most | countable nouns |
little | less | least | |
small | smaller | smallest |
4. Special adjectives
Some adjectives have two possible forms of comparison (-er/est and more/most).
positive | comparative | superlative |
---|---|---|
clever | cleverer / more clever | cleverest / most clever |
common | commoner / more common | commonest / most common |
likely | likelier / more likely | likeliest / most likely |
pleasant | pleasanter / more pleasant | pleasantest / most pleasant |
polite | politer / more polite | politest / most polite |
quiet | quieter / more quiet | quietest / most quiet |
simple | simpler / more simple | simplest / most simple |
stupid | stupider / more stupid | stupidest / most stupid |
subtle | subtler / more subtle | subtlest / most subtle |
sure | surer / more sure | surest / most sure |
5. Difference in meaning with adjectives
positive | comparative | superlative | comment |
---|---|---|---|
far | farther | farthest | distance |
further | furthest | distance or time | |
late | later | latest | |
latter | x | ||
x | last | ||
old | older | oldest | people and things |
elder | eldest | people (family) | |
near | nearer | nearest | distance |
x | next | order |
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Objects can be compared using the degrees of comparison of adjectives..
This English lesson plan for using the degrees of comparison of adjectives (positive, comparative and superlative) is written for teachers who might be looking for a lesson plan with such objective. This is also intended for those who are preparing for their demonstration teaching. This may not be a perfect lesson plan but it may give some ideas to add to your objective of using the degrees of comparison of both regular and irregular adjectives.
Lesson Plan In English Using The Degrees Of Comparison Of Regular And Irregular Adjectives
I. Objective
Use the positive, comparative and superlative degrees of regular and irregular adjectives
II. Subject Matter
a. Focus skill: Degrees of comparison of adjectives
b. Materials: pictures, charts, objects and persons to be compared
c. Reference: (You can use any English Grammar reference book)
III. Procedure
A. Preliminary Activities
1. Spelling
Say: I have here several words which I would like you to spell correctly. Please listen very well so you will be able to spell them correctly. (You may use each word in a sentence so the students will be able to spell them correctly.)
a. pretty
b. industrious
c. magnificent
d. narrow
e. steep
2. Drill
Choose the correct pronoun to complete each sentence.
a. My mother loves (I, me).
b. Corazon Aquino is the Philippines’ first lady president. The Filipino people elected (she, her).
c. Thomas Alva Edison is a great inventor. The world admire (him, he).
d. The teacher inspired the students. She made (them, they) realize the value of education.
e. Jiggy and Juggy are coming with us. We gave (they, them) tickets for the concert.
3. Review
Identify the adjective in the following sentences. Underline it.
1. Julian is a very bright boy.
2. That watch you bought is quite inexpensive.
3. The flowers are sweet and beautiful.
4. My sister is kind and industrious.
5. The lovable son hugged his parents.
4. Motivation
How many are you in the family? Who among you is the most industrious? Who is the most helpful? Who is the clown in your family?
B. Lesson Proper
1. Presentation
Ask three of the pupils of different hair lengths to stand in front of the class. Describe the length of their hair using the degree of comparison of regular verbs:
Example : Jane’s hair is long.
Anne’s hair is longer than Jean’s.
Sarah’s hair is the longest among the three girls.
Write these sentences on the board.
Say: The first sentence simply makes a statement. What adjective is used? Is Jane’s hair being compared to anyone? Now, look at the second sentence. Is there any comparison made? Who are being compared? Take a look at the third sentence, is there any comparison made?
With whose hair is Anne’s hair compared to? Do you think there are more than two students being compared? What word is used to show comparison?
Say: Long is an adjective in the positive form, longer is an adjective in the comparative form. Longest is an adjective in the superlative form. When two persons, places or things are compared, what form of adjective do we use? When three or more persons, places, or thing are being compared, you use the superlative degree of the adjective. Now, how are the superlative degree of most adjectives with one or two syllables formed?
Say: Read and study the following sentences. Observe how other adjectives with two or more syllables form their comparative and superlative degrees. (After the students have read the sentences, ask the previous questions but with some modifications since you are now teaching the positive, comparative and superlative degrees of irregular adjectives.)
a. Paul is a thoughtful boy.
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b. Robert is more thoughtful than Paul.
c. Julian is the most efficient among the three.
a. Joshua is an intelligent kid.
b. Christine is more intelligent than Joshua.
c. Francis is the most intelligent of all.
a. Sandra’s hat is expensive.
b. Kate’s hat is less expensive than Sandra’s.
c. Denise’s hat is the least expensive among the three girls.
2. Elicitation
Have the pupils do the following:
a. Controlled activity
Provide the correct degree of comparison of adjectives in the parenthesis to complete the following sentences.
· 1. Patty is (short) ______ than her brother.
· 2. The Jones family is (rich) ______ than the Smith family.
· 3. My room is (clean) _______ than hers.
· 4. His cellphone is the (expensive) _______ of them all.
· 5 The sea is (calm) _______.
b. Semi – Controlled Activity
Write three sentences each using the following adjectives. Be sure to use their positive, comparative and superlative degrees.
· a. shallow
· b. helpless
· c. amiable
· d. impossible
· e. graceful
3. Generalization
What are the three degrees of comparison of adjective?
When do we use the positive, comparative, superlative degree? How are the comparative and superlative degrees formed in one-syllable adjective? What about in an adjective of two or more syllables? What do you call the degree of adjective formed by adding -er or -est? What about when you add more or most?
Answer:
Adjectives with one syllable form their comparative degree by adding -er, for the superlative degree -est is added.
For adjectives of two or more syllables, use more or less and most or least to make comparison.
4. Engagement Activity
Ask the pupils to fill in the blanks with the correct degree of comparison of adjective. Use the given adjective at the left.
(healthy) 1. Julius is ________ than Randy. Jasmine is the _______ of them all.
(neat) 2. My hair is ________ than yours.
(bright) 3. Which star is the _______ among that you saw last night?
(delicious) 4. The cake I ate at this bakeshop is _________ than the cake I ate at home.
(powerful) 5. Is the president ________________ than the vice-president?
VI. Evaluation
Fill in the blanks with the correct degree of comparison of adjective.
1. The bag I bought is the (cheap) ________ of them all.
2. It is (fun) _______ to go to the park than to the mall.
3. Julian is an (obedient) _______ boy.
4. My essay is (long) _______ than Jeremy’s.
5. Jason is (loyal) _______ friend than Jacob.
6. Rob is (courageous) ________ among the boys.
Degrees Of Comparison List
V. Assignment
Construct sentences using the positive, comparative and superlative degree of adjectives with the following adjectives:
1. strange
2. dull
3. handsome
4. shy
5. blue
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Comparison Degree The Same As A Woman
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Degree Of Comparison Examples
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