Lesson 2: Degrees and Use of Comparisons

Definition

9c. Modifiers change form to show comparison.

Explanation

Think of modifiers as having different power levels! The positive is the base form (like tall), the comparative compares two things (taller), and the superlative compares three or more (tallest). For most one-syllable words, add -er and -est. For longer words, use more and most. To show a decrease, always use less and least.

Examples

• increasing degrees of brave: braver, bravest [For a one-syllable modifier, the increasing degrees are formed by adding -er and -est.]
• increasing degrees of gently: more gently, most gently [For most adverbs ending in -ly, the increasing degrees are formed by adding more and most.]
• decreasing degrees of active: less active, least active [The decreasing degrees for any modifier are formed by using less and least.]

Definition

9c. Modifiers change form to show comparison.

Explanation

Some modifiers are rebels! They don't follow the regular -er/-est or more/most rules. Words like good, bad, and many have unique forms for their comparative and superlative degrees. There's no trick to learning them—you just have to memorize these special forms to use them correctly.

Examples

• Was that the (worst, baddest) storm of the season? [Worst is the superlative degree of the adjective bad.]
• This new recipe tastes even (better, more good) than the last one. [Better is the comparative degree of the adjective good.]
• The new stadium holds (more, many) people than the old one did. [More is the comparative degree of the adjective many.]

Definition

9d. Use the comparative degree when comparing two things. Use the superlative degree when comparing more than two things.

Explanation

Here's a simple trick: use the comparative (usually ending in -er or using more) when you're looking at a couple of things. Use the superlative (usually ending in -est or using most) when you have a super-sized group of three or more items to compare. It’s all about counting!

Examples

• Which of the two bicycles is (faster, fastest)? [Only two things are being compared, so the comparative degree is used.]
• Of all the books I read this year, this one was the (most, more) interesting. [More than two things are being compared, so the superlative degree is used.]
• Between my brother and me, he is (less, least) patient. [Only two people are being compared, so the comparative degree is used.]

Definition

9e. Avoid using double comparisons.

Explanation

A double comparison is a grammar mistake where you use two comparison words together, like saying "more smarter." It's redundant! You should either use the -er/-est ending or the word more/most, but never both at the same time. Pick one way to compare and stick with it.

Examples

• DOUBLE: This blanket is more softer than the other one. [Softer already shows comparison; more is not needed.]
• STANDARD: This blanket is softer than the other one.
• DOUBLE: He is the most kindest person I know. [Kindest already shows the highest degree; most is not needed.]
• STANDARD: He is the kindest person I know.

Definition

9f. Include the word other or else when comparing one member of a group with the rest of the group.

Explanation

When you compare something to the group it belongs to, you must logically separate it from that group. You can't be taller than everyone in your class if you are part of "everyone"! Using words like other or else clarifies that you're comparing the individual to the rest of the group.

Examples

• ILLOGICAL: My cat is louder than any cat on the block. [This implies your cat is louder than itself, which is illogical.]
• LOGICAL: My cat is louder than any other cat on the block.
• ILLOGICAL: David runs faster than anyone on his team. [David cannot run faster than himself.]
• LOGICAL: David runs faster than anyone else on his team.