comparative degree

comparative degree

Most adjectives and adverbs can be compared. The comparative degree com­pares two persons or things the superlative degree compares three or more persons or things. (See also comparisons .)

Our kitten is smaller than our cat. [comparative]

Our kitten is the smallest one we've ever had. [superlative]

As in these examples, most one-syllable words and some two-syllable words use the comparative ending -er and the superlative ending -est. Most adjectives and adverbs with two or more syllables form the comparative degree by using the word more and the superlative degree by using the word most.

This chair is more comfortable than that one. This is the most comfortable chair I've ever had.

Some adjectives and adverbs may use either means of expressing degree.

Our neighbor is the most able handyman in the neighborhood. He was the ablest handyman in the area.

A few adjectives and adverbs have irregular forms of comparison.

Adjectives	COMPARATIVE	SUPERLATIVE
good	better	best
well	better	best
bad	worse	worst
ill	worse	worst
little	less	least
many	more	most
some	more	most
much	more	most
Adverbs
well	better	best
ill	worse	worst
badly	worse	worst

Absolute words (unique, perfect, round) cannot logically be compared. Careful writers often use the phrase more nearly with absolute words to express comparison (more nearly perfect). Or they use another modifier, such as unusual instead of unique.

The superlative form is sometimes used in expressions that do not really express comparison (best wishes, deepest sympathy, highest praise, most sincerely).

When the adjective or adverb comes between the two things being compared, add than as well as the comparative form.

Nothing is lovelier than a day in June. [Lovelier comes between nothing and day.]

The summer months seem to go faster than the winter months. [Faster comes between summer months and winter months.]