Degrees of Comparison in Adjectives and Adverbs

Degrees of Comparison in Adjectives and Adverbs

What is an adjective?

An adjective is a word that modifies a noun.
It answers the questions which one, what kind or how many.
Samuel chose the green cup. Which one?
The horse was gentle. What kind?
Ken had seven Kit Kats in his treat bag! How many?

Multiple Choice

Let's reformulate in an easier why.

What is an adjective?

• Adjectives describe nouns to tell us more about that noun.

• Adjectives support the meaning of a verb.

More Examples

• In the noisy classroom some lively discussions took place.

• The corridor was clean and bright.

• It was a terrible book.

We can find adjectives both before and after the noun they refer to.

• The beautiful corridor appeared clean and bright.

• The issues discussed were complicated to solve.

Multiple Choice

Where can we place adjectives?

• Before the noun they refer to

• After the noun they refer to

• Both before and after the noun they refer to

Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs.

How? Josh quickly raised his hand.
When? Did you see the news yesterday?
Where? Please meet outside the pavilion.

Adjectives and adverbs can have three forms:

• Positive

• Comparative

• Superlative

Positive- 1

The positive form of an adjective or adverb is the base form.

Examples: careful-carefully
angry-angrily
calm-calmly

Comparative - 2

We use comparative adjectives and adverbs to compare one person or thing with another person or thing.

We make comparatives in two ways: by adding -er or by putting more in front of the adjective or adverb.

Today is hotter than yesterday.

I think documentaries are more interesting than the news.

angrier-more angrily
quicker-more quickly
more wonderful-more wonderfully

Superlatives - 3+

*We use superlative adjectives and adverbs to compare one person or thing with several other people or things of the same kind.

*We make superlatives by adding -est or by putting most in front of the adjective or adverb.

September is the busiest month for our business..

Angelina Jolie was the highest paid actress last year.

angriest-most angrily
calmest-most calmly
most wonderful-most wonderfully

Match

Match the following degree with the suffix or word to add before the adjective or adverb.

• comparative suffix

• comparative word to add before adjective or adverb

• superlative suffix

• superlative word to add before adjective or adverb

-er

more

-est

most

• -er

• more

• -est

• most

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a comparative adverb that best completes this sentence?

Even though they studied the same amount of time, Alan finished the test _____ than John.

• quickly

• quicklier

• more quickly

• most quickly

Multiple Choice

Which underlined terms in the following sentence are in the positive degree?

She gave an informative talk on honeybees. Of the two females, the queen is larger than the worker. After emerging the queen bee fights all the others to prove she is the strongest.

• informative

• larger

• strongest

Multiple Choice

Which underlined terms in the following sentence are in the comparative degree?

She gave an informative talk on honeybees. Of the two females, the queen is larger than the worker. After emerging the queen bee fights all the others to prove she is the strongest.

• informative

• larger

• strongest

Multiple Choice

Which underlined terms in the following sentence are in the superlative degree?

She gave an informative talk on honeybees. Of the two females, the queen is larger than the worker. After emerging the queen bee fights all the others to prove she is the strongest.

• informative

• larger

• strongest