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<\/a><\/p>\nThe following sentences provide examples of each form:<\/p>\n
Positive<\/u>: My horse is smart<\/em>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Comparative<\/u>: My horse is smarter than<\/em> his horse.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Superlative<\/u>: My horse is the smartest<\/em> horse in the barn.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
You can see from the adjectives marked in\u00a0italics<\/em> in the above samples that each form of the adjective smart<\/em> is different. The comparative form uses the -er<\/em> suffix and is followed by the conjunction than<\/em>; the superlative form uses the -est<\/em> suffix.<\/p>\n
<\/div>\nYou can also compare without changing the adjective form by using as<\/em> in the sentence. When using as<\/em>, you are showing equivalence.<\/p>\n
My horse is as smart as<\/em> his horse.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Greek food might be as tasty as<\/em> Italian food.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Is that all there is to it? Do we simply just add one of these suffixes (and prepositions) to an adjective to make a comparison? Given that the English language can be difficult and the rules confusing, you might presume that the answer would be \u201cno\u201d and you would be correct. There are several rules for making comparisons.<\/p>\n
Related:\u00a0Having difficulty with language and grammar in your thesis? Check out these helpful resources now!<\/strong><\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Forming Comparatives and Superlatives<\/h2>\n
It is not uncommon for both native and non-native English speakers to make mistakes when making comparisons; some avoid such mistakes by using online grammar checker<\/a> or language correction tools, such as Trinka<\/a>. However, some of the most common usages have rules<\/a> that help. In most cases, comparatives and superlatives depend on the original form of the adjective used. For example, the comparative form will differ when the original form has more than one syllable, ends in a single vowel that is followed by a consonant, or has a silent \u201ce\u201d at the end. The following is a list of common rules.<\/p>\n
\n
- Monosyllable: Add suffixes -er<\/em> and -est<\/em> (smart, smarter, smartest).<\/li>\n
- Two syllables: Usually add suffixes -er<\/em> and -est<\/em>, but there are exceptions.<\/li>\n
- Two syllables with a negative prefix: These words can take either form as long as the wording is not awkward to pronounce (un<\/em>happier or more un<\/em>happy).<\/li>\n
- Three or more syllables: Use more<\/em> and most<\/em> with the unchanged adjective form (annoying, more annoying, most annoying).<\/li>\n
- Single vowel, followed by a single consonant: Double the final consonant and add a suffix (red, redder, reddest).<\/li>\n
- Ends in silent -e: Drop the e<\/em> and add a suffix (lame, lamer, lamest).<\/li>\n
- Ends in -y: Replace the y<\/em> with i<\/em> and add the suffix (happy, happier, happiest).<\/li>\n
- Ends in -er<\/em>: Do not change the word form. Instead, use more<\/em> or most<\/em> (eager, more eager, most eager).<\/li>\n
- Participle as adjective: These are words ending in -ing, -ed, -en, -d, -t, -n, or \u2013ne. Use more<\/em> or most<\/em>; do not add a suffix (tired, more tired, most tired).<\/li>\n
- Irregular adjective: These are adjectives that have completely different forms (good, better, best). A dictionary will help with these but, for the most part, you should attempt to memorize as many as possible.<\/li>\n
- Adverbs ending in -ly: Adverbs used to modify a verb (e.g., ran quickly<\/em>) are also used as comparatives; use more<\/em> and most<\/em> (quickly, more quickly, most quickly).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
These are examples of higher degrees of comparison (i.e., showing that something is better or the best), but there are also lower degrees of comparison. We don\u2019t add suffixes in these cases.<\/p>\n
His horse is less smart than<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
He has lesser<\/em> horse skills than others.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
His horse is the least smart<\/em> horse on the property.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Incomparable Adjectives<\/h2>\n
Some words cannot be compared<\/a> by using suffixes, prepositions, or other comparative terms. These words describe an absolute<\/em> condition. For example, an animal cannot be \u201cmore or less pregnant.\u201d It is either pregnant or it\u2019s not. If something is impossible, it can\u2019t be more or less impossible; if something is fatal, it can\u2019t be more or less fatal, and so on.<\/p>\n
Exceptions and Changes to Rules<\/h2>\n
As indicated, some one- and two-syllable words<\/a> don\u2019t follow the rules of forming comparatives and superlatives. In these cases, the use of more<\/em> and most<\/em> would be correct. For example, the words fierce<\/em> and sane<\/em> do not take a suffix. Likewise, the comparatives of alive<\/em> and distinct<\/em>, both two-syllable adjectives, would be more alive<\/em> or most distinct<\/em>. It would be incorrect and awkward to add -er or -est suffixes to these words.<\/p>\n
Also at times, the English language rules change according to accepted or common usage. What might have been a strict rule at one point might not still apply if native speakers prefer one form to another. For example, it might be perfectly fine to add a suffix to the word tender<\/em>; however, it also might sound awkward. In this case, common usage would be to add more<\/em> or most<\/em> before the adjective.<\/p>\n
Correct Usage Is Important In Academic Writing<\/h2>\n
Given that researchers come from all over the world and that international journals are published in English, every attempt should be made to ensure correct English is used<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Comparative language is used throughout every study when comparing groups of subjects. In addition, results of a study are also often compared to those of other studies. Using the correct comparative and superlative adjective forms is necessary for the reader to correctly interpret your results. When in doubt, consult a good dictionary for correct usage.<\/p>\n
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