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what are positive comparative and superlative adjectives

by Dr. Willard Smitham III Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Degrees of Adjectives, Positive, Comparative, and Superlative Examples

Positive Comparative Superlative
fast faster fastest
small smaller smallest
fat fatter fattest
tall taller tallest
Jun 11 2022

An adjective can exist in three forms – positive, comparative and superlative. The positive form is the base form of the adjective. The comparative form expresses a higher degree of some quality. The superlative form expresses the highest degree.Oct 11, 2012

Full Answer

What are some examples of positive adjectives?

  • Diligent – Showing care in one’s duties. Industrious, hard-working, thorough, persistent, tenacious
  • Enthusiastic – Showing intense interest in something. Eager, excited, keen, ardent, vivacious
  • Generous – Showing a willingness to give others more than is necessary. ...
  • Happy – Feeling contentment. ...
  • Helpful – Willing to help others. ...

Is merrily a superlative comparative or positive?

Positive Degree. Comparative Degree. Superlative Degree. sharp. sharper. sharpest. high: higher. highest. fast. faster. fastest. precise. more precise. most precise. happy. happier. happiest. merrily (adverb) more merrily. most merrily. bad. worse. worst

What are some examples of a positive adverb?

The Positive Adverbs

  • (1) That good and bad are never adverbs.
  • (2) That ill and well, better and best and worse and worst may be either adverbs or adjectives.
  • (3) RATHER is now used in the comparative only.

How do you make an adjective superlative?

Superlatives That Change the "y" to an "i" and Add -est

  • Angry - angriest
  • Bloody - bloodiest
  • Bossy - bossiest
  • Busy - busiest
  • Chewy - chewiest
  • Chubby - chubbiest
  • Classy - classiest
  • Cloudy - cloudiest
  • Clumsy - clumsiest
  • Creamy - creamiest

More items...

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What is positive comparative and superlative examples?

Superlative degree is used to compare more than two persons or things. Comparative and superlative forms of adjectives are formed by adding r and st or er and est or more and most etc....Positive, Comparative and Superlative Adjectives List.PositiveComparativeSuperlativebadworseworstgoodbetterbestlittlelesserleastmanymoremost

How do you determine if a comparative is positive or superlative?

0:041:25Learn English: Positive, Comparative and Superlative of Adverbs - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipShe sang most beautifully at the Christmas concert. Short adverbs end in ER and est. She works hardMoreShe sang most beautifully at the Christmas concert. Short adverbs end in ER and est. She works hard she works harder than he does. She works hardest when under pressure.

What is comparative and superlative adjectives?

Comparative adjectives are used to compare two people or things and superlative adjectives are used to compare more than two people or things. For example: My house is bigger than her house.

What is the positive comparative and superlative of best?

Not all things are created equal: some are good, others are better, and only the cream of the crop rise to the level of best. These three words—good, better, and best—are examples of the three forms of an adjective or adverb: positive, comparative, and superlative.

What are positive adjectives?

What are Positive Adjectives? Positive adjectives describe people, places, and things in a positive way. Using these noun modifiers, you can express emotions such as satisfaction, love, amusement, hope, and more. Here are a few examples of sentences that use good emotional words: Steve is happy today.

What is positive example?

An example of something positive is a good attitude. An example of someone positive is a motivational speaker. A friend who is sure that the Oakland A's won the World Series is an example of someone positive. A person who has HIV is an example of someone positive for HIV.

What is a superlative adjective examples?

The words biggest and fastest are examples of superlative adjectives.

What are superlatives examples?

Here are some examples of superlative adjectives in action:I can't find my most comfortable jeans.The runt of the litter is the smallest.Jupiter is the biggest planet in our solar system.She is the smartest girl in our class.This is the most interesting book I have ever read.I am the shortest person in my family.More items...

What is comparative adjective examples?

Comparative Adjectives That Add “More” or “Less” Here are some examples: Bitter - More (or less) bitter. Clever - More (or less) clever. Modern - More (or less) modern. Polite - More (or less) polite.

What is superlative degree?

The superlative degree of an adjective denotes the highest degree of the quality. Superlative degree is used to compare more than two persons or things. Comparative and superlative forms of adjectives are formed by adding r and st or er and est or more and most etc. Let’s try to understand Positive, Comparative and Superlative forms ...

What are the three forms of adjectives?

Adjectives have three forms – Positive form, Comparative form, and Superlative form . The positive degree of an adjective is the simplest form of that particular adjective. Comparative degree of an adjective denotes a higher degree when compared to a positive degree. It is used to compare two persons or things.

What is a positive form of comparison?

Comparison with Positive Forms. The positive form is used to denote that the two compared persons or things have equal degrees of the quality. In this case, the word "as" is used before and after the adjective. Example: This poem is as lyrical as the other. (Both poems are equally lyrical.)

What are the three forms of adjectives?

Every adjective has three forms: the positive, the comparative, and the superlative . The positive is at the bottom of intensity, the comparative is at the middle point, and the superlative is at the highest degree.

One-Syllable Adjectives

For nearly all one-syllable (or monosyllabic) adjectives, forming the positive, comparative, and superlative forms is relatively easy. With some conditions, the basic format is as follows:

Two-Syllable Adjectives

Two-syllable (otherwise called disyllabic) adjectives that end in -er, -y, -ow, or -le also use the same rules as above. In most cases, these adjectives will follow the rules established above, but there are some additional quirks.

Longer Adjectives and Rule-Breakers

So, now we have mastered converting adjectives into their various types… or have we? It turns out there’s still more to learn. Some disyllabic adjectives and trisyllabic (three-syllable), and polysyllabic (technically anything more than one syllable, but here meaning more than three) adjectives follow some slightly different rules.

Irregular Adjectives

Just like with verbs, there are also a few irregular adjectives. These do not follow the typical rules laid out above when going from the root to the comparative and superlative forms. Instead, they are often totally different. The only thing you can do for these is memorize them.

One-Syllable Adjectives

For nearly all one-syllable (or monosyllabic) adjectives, forming the positive, comparative, and superlative forms is relatively easy. With some conditions, the basic format is as follows:

Two-Syllable Adjectives

Two-syllable (otherwise called disyllabic) adjectives that end in -er, -y, -ow, or -le also use the same rules as above. In most cases, these adjectives will follow the rules established above, but there are some additional quirks.

Longer Adjectives and Rule-Breakers

So, now we have mastered converting adjectives into their various types… or have we? It turns out there’s still more to learn. Some disyllabic adjectives and trisyllabic (three-syllable), and polysyllabic (technically anything more than one syllable, but here meaning more than three) adjectives follow some slightly different rules.

Irregular Adjectives

Just like with verbs, there are also a few irregular adjectives. These do not follow the typical rules laid out above when going from the root to the comparative and superlative forms. Instead, they are often totally different. The only thing you can do for these is memorize them.

How to make comparative form of adjectives?

The comparative form of adjectives is formed by adding the suffix -er to the adjective by adding the adverb more to the adjective phrase. Adjectives with one syllable or with two syllables in which the last syllable is -y, -le, or -er take the -er suffix. All other adjectives take the adverb more.

What is the grammatical form of adjectives?

Grammatical Form of English Adjectives: Positive, Comparative, and Superlative Adjectives. Traditional grammars define adjectives as “words that describe nouns.”. Adjective phrases are phrases formed by an adjective plus any modifiers or complements. In English, prototypical adjectives and adjective phrases perform four grammatical functions:

What are the functions of a prototypical adjective?

In English, prototypical adjectives and adjective phrases perform four grammatical functions: The grammatical functions that a grammatical form can perform are referred to as the “functional potential” of that grammatical form. Functional potentials help distinguish one part of speech from another.

What is an adjective in English?

Adjectives in English grammar are traditionally defined as “words that describe nouns.”. Adjective is a grammatical form. Adjectives function as the heads of adjective phrases. The three grammatical functions performed by adjective phrases, and subsequently adjectives, are noun phrase modifier, subject complement, and object complement.

What is the first degree of modification that all English adjectives can express?

The first degree of modification that all English adjectives can express is the positive degree. Positive adjectives are identical to the dictionary form of the adjective. For example, the following italicized adjectives are positive: The humble man silenced the silly girl. The pregnant woman ate the fresh banana.

What is the internal structure of an adjective?

In the English language, the internal structures that distinguish adjectives from other grammatical forms include degrees of modification. Prototypical English adjectives express three degrees of modification: positive, comparative, and superlative.

What suffix is used for one syllable adjectives?

For one-syllable adjectives spelled either with a final consonant preceded by either two vowels or additional consonants or with a final y or w preceded by a vowel, simply add the -er or -est suffix. For example:

What is the comparative form of an adjective?

The comparative form of an adjective/adverb is followed by Than/Than any other/Than most other/Than all other. Such as, The lion is stronger than the tiger. London is more beautiful than most other cities. The Padma is larger than any other river in Bangladesh. (3)Superlative Degree: When a comparison is made with more than two persons or things.

How are adjectives formed?

Adjectives of two or more than two syllables are formed into comparative and superlative by adding more/less and most/ least to the comparative and superlative respectively. Positive. Comparative. Superlative. Active.

What is the superlative form of "London"?

The superlative form is preceded by the/one of the and followed by in/of/of all. Such as, London is the biggest city in the world. She is one of the most beautiful ladies in the village.

What is a positive, comparative, and superlative adverb?

Adverb: An adverb describes (modifies) a verb, an adjective and adverb in a sentence except noun and pronoun. And adverbs often tell when, where, why, or under what conditions something happens or happened. Adverbs frequently end in -ly; however, many words and phrases not ending in -ly ...

How many degrees of comparison are there in adverbs?

Adverbs as like adjectives have three degrees of comparison – the positive, the comparative and the superlative. The different degrees of comparison are formed in different ways; concentrate on the rules below to know about positive, comparative and superlative adverbs in English.

What are the rules for adverbs?

Positive, Comparative and Superlative Adverbs. Rule 1: Short adverbs having just one syllable form the comparative and the superlative by the adding –er and – est to the positive . Note that almost all adverbs which are also used as adjectives belong to this class.

What is the rule for adjectives ending in "ly"?

Rule 2: Adverbs ending in –ly. Adverbs which end in –ly take more for the comparative and most for the superlative. Softly (positive) more softly (Comparative) most softly (Superlative) Happily. more happily. most happily.

Is "ly" an adverb?

Adverbs frequently end in -ly; however, many words and phrases not ending in -ly serve an adverbial function and -ly ending is not a guarantee that a word is an adverb. The words lovely, lonely, motherly, friendly, neighborly, for instance, are adjectives.

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Introduction to Degrees of Adjectives

  • Every adjective has three forms: the positive, the comparative, and the superlative. The positive is at the bottom of intensity, the comparative is at the middle point, and the superlative is at the highest degree.
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Comparison with Positive Forms

  1. The positive form is used to denote that the two compared persons or things have equal degrees of the quality. In this case, the word "as" is used before and after the adjective. Example: This poem...
  2. While this is used as negative, it means the two persons or things are not similar. Example: Math is not as easy as English.
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The Function of Comparatives

  • The comparative form is used to denote one of the two people or things has a stronger or weaker degree of the quality. Examples: Roses are more beautiful than any other flowers. Traveling within one's country is less rewarding than traveling abroad.
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The Function of Superlatives

  • The superlative form is used to denote that a person or thing has the highest degree of a quality within a group. Examples: Ana is the most intelligent student in the class. Which is the highest mountain in the world?
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How to Form The Comparative and Superlative

  1. For one-syllable adjectives, we form comparatives by adding -er, and superlatives by adding -est. Example: tall - taller - tallest
  2. For two-syllables adjectives, we form comparatives either by adding -es, or preceding the adjectives with "more". We form superlatives by adding -est, or preceding the adjectives with "most". Examp...
  1. For one-syllable adjectives, we form comparatives by adding -er, and superlatives by adding -est. Example: tall - taller - tallest
  2. For two-syllables adjectives, we form comparatives either by adding -es, or preceding the adjectives with "more". We form superlatives by adding -est, or preceding the adjectives with "most". Examp...
  3. For three-or-more-syllable adjectives, we form comparatives by preceding the adjectives with "more" and superlatives by preceding the adjectives with "most". Example: beautiful - more beautiful - m...

Irregular Comparatives and Superlatives

  • There are certain adjectives that have irregular forms of comparatives and superlatives. Examples: good - better - best bad - worse - worst little - less - least
See more on tutoringhour.com

One-Syllable Adjectives

  • For nearly all one-syllable (or monosyllabic) adjectives, forming the positive, comparative, and superlative forms is relatively easy. With some conditions, the basic format is as follows: The positive form is simply the adjective itself. The comparative form is the positive form plus -er. The superlative form is the positive form plus -est. Exampl...
See more on libertymedcom.com

Two-Syllable Adjectives

  • Two-syllable (otherwise called disyllabic) adjectives that end in -er, -y, -ow, or -le also use the same rules as above. In most cases, these adjectives will follow the rules established above, but there are some additional quirks. Examples: ‘I am clever, but you are cleverer, and they are the cleverest.’ ‘Many cheap shampoos are not very gentle. Some low-cost options can be gentler, bu…
See more on libertymedcom.com

Longer Adjectives and Rule-Breakers

  • So, now we have mastered converting adjectives into their various types… or havewe? It turns out there’s still more to learn. Some disyllabic adjectives and trisyllabic (three-syllable), and polysyllabic (technically anything more than one syllable, but here meaning more than three) adjectives follow some slightly different rules. Luckily, these are very easy to understand and us…
See more on libertymedcom.com

Irregular Adjectives

  • Just like with verbs, there are also a few irregular adjectives. These do not follow the typical rules laid out above when going from the root to the comparative and superlativeforms. Instead, they are often totally different. The only thing you can do for these is memorize them. Luckily, there are far fewer common irregular adjectives than irregular verbs. Below are the ones you are most like…
See more on libertymedcom.com

One-Syllable Adjectives

  • For nearly all one-syllable (or monosyllabic) adjectives, forming the positive, comparative, and superlative forms is relatively easy. With some conditions, the basic format is as follows: The positive form is simply the adjective itself. The comparative form is the positive form plus -er. The superlative form is the positive form plus -est. Exampl...
See more on linkedin.com

Two-Syllable Adjectives

  • Two-syllable (otherwise called disyllabic) adjectives that end in -er, -y, -ow, or -le also use the same rules as above. In most cases, these adjectives will follow the rules established above, but there are some additional quirks. Examples: ‘I am clever, but you are cleverer, and they are the cleverest.’ ‘Many cheap shampoos are not very gentle. Some low-cost options can be gentler, bu…
See more on linkedin.com

Longer Adjectives and Rule-Breakers

  • So, now we have mastered converting adjectives into their various types… or havewe? It turns out there’s still more to learn. Some disyllabic adjectives and trisyllabic (three-syllable), and polysyllabic (technically anything more than one syllable, but here meaning more than three) adjectives follow some slightly different rules. Luckily, these are very easy to understand and us…
See more on linkedin.com

Irregular Adjectives

  • Just like with verbs, there are also a few irregular adjectives. These do not follow the typical rules laid out above when going from the root to the comparative and superlativeforms. Instead, they are often totally different. The only thing you can do for these is memorize them. Luckily, there are far fewer common irregular adjectives than irregular verbs. Below are the ones you are most like…
See more on linkedin.com

1.Positive, Comparative & Superlative Adjectives | Ginger

Url:https://www.gingersoftware.com/content/grammar-rules/adjectives/comparing-adjectives/

35 hours ago Forming comparative adjectives As well as serving as modifying words like beautiful and big, adjectives are also used for indicating the position on a scale of comparison. The lowest point on the scale is known as the positive form, the middle point is known as the comparative form, and the highest point is known as the superlative form.

2.Positive, Comparative and Superlative Adjectives List

Url:https://examplanning.com/positive-comparative-and-superlative-adjective-list/

6 hours ago 44 rows · Positive: Comparative: Superlative: fast: faster: fastest: small: smaller: smallest: fat: ...

3.Positive, Comparative, and Superlative Adjectives with …

Url:https://www.tutoringhour.com/lessons/grammar/adjectives/positive-comparative-superlative/

32 hours ago  · Prototypical English adjectives express three degrees of modification: positive, comparative, and superlative. Positive Adjectives The first degree of modification that all English adjectives can express is the positive degree.

4.Adjectives: Positive, Comparative, and Superlative

Url:https://libertymedcom.com/adjectives-positive-comparative-and-superlative/

20 hours ago  · Comparison of Adjectives. There are three kinds of Degrees. They are (1) Positive, (2) Comparative and (3) Superlative. (1)Positive Degree: The simplest form of an Adjective/Adverb. Structure: Subject +verb+ Modifier +Adjective/Adverb. As, He is a good boy. (2)Comparative Degree: When a comparison is made between two persons or things. The …

5.Adjectives: Positive, Comparative, and Superlative - LinkedIn

Url:https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/adjectives-positive-comparative-superlative-philip-lindeman-md-phd

33 hours ago positive form comparative form superlative form; good: better: best: bad / ill: worse: worst: little (amount) less: least: little (size) smaller: smallest: much / many: more: most: far (place + time) further: furthest: far (place) farther: farthest: late (time) later: latest: late (order) latter: last: near (place) nearer: nearest: near (order)-next: old (people and things) older: oldest: old (people) …

6.Grammatical Form of English Adjectives: Positive, …

Url:https://parentingpatch.com/positive-comparative-superlative-adjectives/

29 hours ago 9 rows · Hard (Positive) harder (Comparative) hardest (Superlative) Soon: sooner: soonest: Fast: ...

7.Comparison of Adjectives: Positive, Comparative

Url:https://bdvandar.com/comparison-of-adjectives-positive-comparative-superlative/

19 hours ago

8.Positive, Comparative and Superlative Adverbs - Learn ESL

Url:https://www.learnesl.net/positive-comparative-and-superlative-adverbs/

24 hours ago

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