Degrees of Comparison in English (With Examples)

• Positive Degree: The base form of the adjective. Used when there is NO comparison. (e.g., The boy is tall).
• Comparative Degree: Used when comparing exactly TWO things. We usually add '-er' to the word, or 'more' before the word. It is always followed by the word 'than'. (e.g., The boy is taller than his sister).
• Superlative Degree: Used when comparing THREE OR MORE things. We usually add '-est' to the word, or 'most' before the word. It is always preceded by the word 'the'. (e.g., He is the tallest boy in the class).

For short, one-syllable words:

• Cold $\rightarrow$ Colder $\rightarrow$ Coldest
• Fast $\rightarrow$ Faster $\rightarrow$ Fastest
• Small $\rightarrow$ Smaller $\rightarrow$ Smallest
• Big $\rightarrow$ Bigger $\rightarrow$ Biggest (Double the last consonant)
• Happy $\rightarrow$ Happier $\rightarrow$ Happiest (Change 'y' to 'i')

For long words with three or more syllables, we do not add -er or -est. We use 'more' and 'most'.

• Beautiful $\rightarrow$ More beautiful $\rightarrow$ Most beautiful
• Intelligent $\rightarrow$ More intelligent $\rightarrow$ Most intelligent
• Dangerous $\rightarrow$ More dangerous $\rightarrow$ Most dangerous

These words completely change their spelling and follow no rules:

• Good $\rightarrow$ Better $\rightarrow$ Best
• Bad $\rightarrow$ Worse $\rightarrow$ Worst
• Much / Many $\rightarrow$ More $\rightarrow$ Most
• Little $\rightarrow$ Less $\rightarrow$ Least
• Far $\rightarrow$ Farther/Further $\rightarrow$ Farthest/Furthest