Degrees of Adjectives
In English, it is not very different from Portuguese when it comes to degrees. There are two degrees of adjectives: comparative and superlative ( comparative and superlative ). The comparative has its very clear and distinct division into inferiority, equality, and superiority. The superlative can be of inferiority and superiority. D
1. Comparison of inferiority:
LESS + ADJECTIVE + THAN
A silver ring is less expensive than a gold ring. (A silver ring is less expensive than a gold ring)
This homework is less difficult than the previous one. (This homework is less difficult than the previous one)
2. Superlative of inferiority:
THE LEAST + ADJECTIVE
Of the six rings, this one was the least new. (Of the six rings, this was the least old)
This lesson was the least easy of all. (This lesson was the least easy of all)
3. Comparison of equality:
AS + ADJECTIVE + AS
Peter is as short as his father. (Peter is as short as his father)
Chris was as beautiful as her sister. (Cris was as beautiful as her sister)
4. Comparison of superiority:
ADJECTIVE + ER + THAN
=> Monosyllable words (adjective).
| ADJECTIVE | COMPARATIVE DEGREE OF SUPERIORITY |
|---|---|
| OLD (old) | OLDER |
| CLEAR (clear) | CLEARER |
| TALL (high) | TALLER |
| SMALL (small) | SMALLER |
| STRANGE (strange) | STRANGER |
| ADJECTIVE | COMPARATIVE DEGREE OF SUPERIORITY |
|---|---|
| FAT (fat) | FATTER |
| HOT (hot) | HOTTER |
| BIG (large) | BIGGER |
| THIN (thin) | THINNER |
=> Dissyllable words (adjectives).
| ADJECTIVE | COMPARATIVE DEGREE OF SUPERIORITY |
|---|---|
| PRETTY (beautiful) | PRETTIER |
| EASY (easy) | EASIER |
| BUSY (busy) | BUSIER |
My dad is older than my mother. (My dad is older than my mom)
Of the two girls, Jane is fatter than Yara. (Of the two girls, Jane is fatter than Yara)
Janaina is prettier than Luis. (Janaina is more beautiful than Luis)
5. Superlative of superiority:
THE + ADJECTIVE + EST
=> Monosyllable adjective.
| ADJECTIVE | SUPERLATIVE DEGREE SUPERIORITY |
|---|---|
| OLD (old) | The oldest |
| CLEAR (clear) | The clearest |
| TALL (high) | The tallest |
| STRANGE (strange) | The strangest |
| ADJECTIVE | SUPERLATIVE DEGREE SUPERIORITY |
|---|---|
| FAT (fat) | The fattest |
| HOT (hot) | The hottest |
| BIG (large) | The biggest |
| THIN (thin) | The thinnest |
=> Dissyllable adjectives
| ADJECTIVE | SUPERLATIVE DEGREE SUPERIORITY |
|---|---|
| PRETTY (beautiful) | The prettiest |
| EASY (easy) | The easiest |
| BUSY (busy) | The busiest |
Joana is the oldest of the group. (Joana is the oldest in the group)
This is the easiest lesson in the book. (This is the easiest lesson in the book)
