Rules for Degree of Adjectives

Do you want to learn more about the rules of adjectives and three degrees of comparison? In this article, you will about the rules related to the degree of adjectives and other important terms regarding the comparison of adjectives

What is the Degree of Adjectives?

An adjective can draw a comparison between two or more things when describing, modifying, or quantifying nouns or pronouns in a sentence. Hence, the more the number of compared subjects, the higher the degree of comparison in a sentence. An adjective is a describing word that modifies or evaluates the purpose of a noun or pronoun by adding specific attributes to it. Degree refers to the intensity, comparison, or superlative quality of an adjective. It enables us to compare and contrast various entities or describe something in relation to others.

What are the Three Degrees of Adjectives?

Adjectives, being known for their character of comparison of one thing to another, has three primary degrees of comparison that are namely: positive degree, comparative degree, and superlative degree, which are used to compare two or more things. There are three main degrees of comparison when it comes to adjectives. They are defined in great detail as the following:

1. Positive degree

Positive Degree of Comparison or the 'positive degree' is utilized when only one subject or object is being described in a sentence. When an adjective defines or describes only one thing without drawing any comparison between it and another thing, it is known as a positive degree. The adjective is just used to define the quality that a particular noun or pronoun acting as a subject in a sentence possesses.

Example :

• She is a talented singer.
• The weather is beautiful today.

2. Comparative degree

In the Comparative Degree of Comparison, the adjective juxtaposes two or more subjects against each other in a sentence. The qualities of these subjects- noun or pronoun, defined by the adjective in the sentence create a collation between those subjects in the sentence. In simple words, when comparing two things or people, the comparative form of an adjective is often used.

Example:

• Nisha is taller than Shreya.
• This book is more interesting than the previous one.

3. Superlative degree

The Superlative Degree of Comparison also finds use in comparing two or more subjects in a sentence. However, as opposed to the other two degrees, the Superlative degree expresses the highest quality or quantity of the noun or pronoun used in the sentence. Following a superlative adjective in a statement, words like 'of' and 'in' are used. When modifying a specific word, the article 'the' ought to be utilized before a superlative degree. 

Example:

• Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world.
• This is the most delicious cake I have ever tasted.

List of Degrees of Adjective

Given below is a list of the top 50 most used Adjectives and their degrees of comparison.