Test Yourself

Adjectives and Adverbs of Degree

[Harbrace 4c]

Review

• Introduction: Adjectives and Adverbs of Degree 
• More, Most, Less, Least 
• Irregular Forms 
• Guidelines for Using Comparative and Superlative Forms 

Practice Exercises

• Selecting Appropriate Adjectives and Adverbs of Degree, Part I
• Identify the Degree of Adjectives and Adverbs, Part II

Introduction

Adjectives and adverbs use different forms when two or more things are compared.

The positive form is the basic adjective or adverb. The comparative form is used for comparing two things, and the superlative form is used for comparing three or more things.

The comparative is formed by adding -er to the basic form, the superlative by adding -est.

• Positive (basic):

happy, young, soon 

• Comparative (compares two):

happier, younger, sooner 

• Superlative (compares three or more):

happiest, youngest, soonest 

More, Most, Less, Least

Some adjectives (and most adverbs) form the comparative and superlative by adding the words more, most, less, or least. 

• Positive (basic):

beautiful, often 

• Comparative (compares two):

more beautiful, more often
less beautiful, less often 

• Superlative (compares three or more):

most beautiful, most often
least beautiful, least often 

Irregular Forms

Some words form the comparative and the superlative in an irregular manner. 

(Adjective):
good, better, best 

(Adverb):
well, better, best 

(Adjective):
bad, worse, worst 

(Adverb):
badly, worse, worst 

(Adjective):
many, more, most 

Guidelines for Using Comparative and Superlative Forms

Follow these guidelines to avoid common errors with comparatives and superlatives. 

1. Use only comparative forms to compare two things; use only superlative forms for more than two. 

This is a better sandwich than yours.
This is the best sandwich I've ever made. 

2. Use only one method of forming a comparative or superlative at a time. 

more healthy or healthier -- NOT more healthier 

3. Words such as unique, perfect, and impossible cannot logically be compared. 

Tom's custom-built car is unique.
(not more or most unique) 

Her assistant is the perfect candidate.
(not more or most perfect) 

Space flight was impossible fifty years ago.
(not more or most impossible) 

4. An object complement that renames or describes a direct object should be an adjective, not an adverb. 

The drought made water scarce. (Scarce modifies water.)