Degrees of Comparison

1. Degrees of Comparison

2. 3 Degrees of Comparison • Positive, Comparative, Superlative • Adjectives and adverbs can be changed to show degrees of comparison by: • Adding –eror –est • Adding more or most • Using entirely different words (irregular)

4. 1 or 2 syllable modifiers • Comparative use –eror more • Superlative use –estor most

5. Adverbs that end in –ly • Take more or most

6. 3+ syllable modifiers • Use more and most

7. Less and Least • Less and least are another form of comparison

8. Irregular Modifiers

9. Bad • Bad is an adjective. • Do not use it to modify an action verb. • Badly is an adverb. • Use it after an action verb, but not after a linking verb. Incorrect: Sam plays soccer bad. Correct: Sam plays soccer badly.

10. Which one is correct? • Maya felt badly about moving. • Maya felt bad about moving.

11. Good and Well • Good is and advective. • It cannot be used as an adverb after an action verb. • Well is usually an adverb. • Correct: Keisha did well on her math test. • Correct: Keisha should be well soon.

12. Making Clear Comparisons • Use the comparative to compare 2 people, places, or things. • Use superlative for 3+ people, places, or things. • Comparative: • My sailboat is faster than Jerry’s. • Mom’s cooking is more delicious than Dad’s • This comedian is less funny than the first one.

13. Superlative: • My sailboat is the fastest on the bay. • Mom’s dinners are her most delicious meals. • The least funny comedian performed first. The superlative degree can be used for emphasis without comparing anything specific. Ex: Champ has the silkiest coat.

14. Double Comparisons • It is incorrect to: • Use –erand more together. • Use –estand most together. Incorrect: It’s more harder to swim than to dive. Correct: It’s harder to dive than to swim.