In english grammar, there are three forms of degrees of adjectives like positive, comparative, and superlative degrees. Degree of adjectives answer “How much” question comparatively. Degree highlights the levels of dimensions, aspects, like quality, nature, characteristics, size, etc. of given noun.
Generally, we use adjectives to describe the different levels about the qualities, nature, and characteristics of nouns whether it is positive or negative, to make them more meaningful.
For this to work accordingly, proper forms of degrees of adjectives whether regular or irregular need to be taken to provide natural meaning.
So, let’s see the use of positive, comparative, and superlative degrees of degrees.
Understanding positive, comparative, and superlative degrees
first of all, let’s begin with rules of positive degree.
Rules of usages of positive degree
Here are some simple rules of positive degree. Just take a look at the following set of rules dictating how to use positive degree.
1.Positive degree is a basic form of degree.
2.It is also called non-comparative
3.Adjectives or adverbs are used to describe positive, as well as negative qualities of nouns.
4.It does not require to change the form of adjectives to formulate positive degree.
5.When we change comparative or superlative degree into positive, then, it requires comparison.
6.Positive degree sentence can be began with either “No other”or “Very few”
7.As….as comparison form is necessary.
Understanding correct use of positive degree
First of all let’s see simple examples of positive degrees of adjectives, and then basic form of examples in sequence.
- Wise, Large, Easy, Wealthy
- Small, Weak, strong, Rich
- Great, Clean, Big– (regular adjectives)
- Good • Bad • Many etc. (irregular adjectives)
Using In The Sentences Without Comparison
These are some basic forms of examples of positive degree without comparison.
- Jonathan is a wise man.
- Himalaya is a large mountain.
- Running is an easy exercise.
- Coral polyps are small organism.
- Warren Buffet is wealthy man.
- Bio-fertilizer is good for food grains crops.
Examples with comparison of positive degree
Very few, No other —
- No other resource on the earth is as important as soil.
- Very few resources on the earth are as important as soil.
- No other forest is as dense as the equatorial forest.
- Very few forests are as dense as equatorial forests.
- No other animal in the desert is as useful as camel.
- Very few animals in the desert are as useful as camel.
- No other fruit in the world is as delicious as Mango.
- Very few fruits in the world are as delicious as Mango.
- No other animal is as carefree as tiger.
- Very few animals are as carefree as tiger.
Here are some more examples of comparative, as well as superlative degrees for the sake of broad overview.
Comparative degree Rules and examples
Here are some important rules of usages of comparative form of degrees.
1.It is the second level of comparative form between two nouns.
2.Inversion of subject happen when we change positive degree into comparative form.
3.Adverbial is placed at the end of the sentence.
Examples of comparative degree form:
- Soil is more important than any other resources on the earth.
- Soil is more important than most other resources on the earth.
- Equatorial forest is denser than any other forest.
- Equatorial forest is denser than most other forests.
- Camel is more useful than any other animals in the desert.
- Camel is more useful than most other animals in the desert.
- Mango is more delicious than any other fruits in the world.
- Mango is more delicious than most other fruits in the world.
- Tiger is more carefree than any other animals.
- Tiger is more carefree than most other animals
Superlative degree rules and examples
For usages of superlative degree, here are some important rules.
Rules of superlative degree formation.
It is the highest level of comparative forms.It is used to compare between more than two nouns. Change in the adjective’s form is essential to compare accordingly.
Spelling rules are applicable to change the form of adjectives.“The” determinant is placed before superlative forms of adjectives and adverbs.
Some useful examples of superlative degree..
- Soil is the most important resource on the earth.
- Soil is one of the most important resources on the earth.
- The equatorial forest is the densest forest.
- The equatorial forest is one of the densest forests.
- Camel is the most useful animal in the desert.
- Camel is one of the most suitable animals in the desert.
- Mango is the most delicious fruit in the world.
- Mango is one of the most delicious fruits in the world.
- Tiger is the most carefree animal.
- Tiger is one of the most carefree animals.
These are some simple examples of positive degrees, comparative, and superlative degrees.
Conversion of positive comparative and superlative degrees
Basically, degrees have three types — Positive, comparative, and superlative degrees. And, these types or forms are changeable or can be changed alternatively. In this blog, I am going to explain the Conversion of degree.
A.Conversion from positive to comparative degree
- “No other” in positive is replaced by “any other” in the comparative degrees.
~ No other => any other
2. “Very few” in the positive degree is replaced by “most other” in the comparative.
~ Very few => most other.
3. In the comparative degrees, plural form of nouns are preferred.
~ Very few or most other.
4. In the positive degree, singular auxiliary is used after plural noun.
Same pattern is applicable when we change the degrees from comparative to positive degree.
- No other nation in the world is as diverse as India — positive degree.
- India is more diverse than any other nations in the world.
- Very few places on the earth are as cold as Antarctica– positive degree.
- Antarctica is colder than most other places on the earth.
B.Conversion from positive to superlative degree
While changing positive degree into superlative, one must understand that “No other” is converted into “The + superlative forms”, and “Very few” is changed into “One of the + superlative forms” of adjectives.
Furthermore, in the one of the sentence of superlative degree, singular form of auxiliary is used.
- No other nation in the world is as diverse as India — positive degree.
- India is the most diverse nation in the world.
- Very few places on the earth are as cold as Antarctica — positive degree.
- Antarctica is one of the coldest places on the earth.
C.Conversion from Comparative to superlative
In changing comparative degree into superlative forms, “Than any other” is replaced by “The + superlative forms of adjectives”; whereas, “Than most other” is changed into “One of the + superlative forms of adjectives”.
In the subjective degree, singular form of auxiliary is used in both types of sentences.
- India is more diverse than any other nations in the world — comparative degree.
- India is the most diverse nation in the world.
- Antarctica is colder than most other places on the earth — comparative degree.
- India is one of the most diverse nations in the world.
Same rules are applicable when we change superlative degree into positive or comparative forms.
By these ways and means conversion of degrees are possible.
Hope, these subject matter of positive, comparative, and superlative degrees will enrich your knowledge and understanding.
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