Transformation of Degree of Comparison

Adjectives are used to modify nouns and pronouns. Adjectives are also used to make comparisons. We call it degree of comparison.

Adjectives take three forms when they are used to make comparisons. They are:

  • Positive Degree
  • Comparative Degree
  • Superlative Degree

Positive Degree

Positive degree is the simple form of adjectives and adverbs. For example, the adjectives and adverbs in the following sentences are in the positive forms. Remember that we use positive forms of adjectives when no comparison is made. 

  • A tiger is a large animal. 
  • It can run fast. 
  • A dog cannot run as fast as a tiger.

Comparative Degree

Comparative forms of adjectives are mainly formed by adding -er to the positive or primary forms af adjectives. We use comparative degree when comparasion is made between two nouns or pronouns  and one becomes higher or lower in degree. Note that comparative degrees follow than.

  • A tiger is larger than a dog.
  • It runs faster than a cat.
  • It is braver than a crocodile.

Superlative Degree

    Superlative forms of adjectives are mainly formed by adding -est to the positive or primary forms af adjectives. We use superlative degree when comparasion is made between more than two nouns or pronouns  and one becomes highest or lowest in degree. We always use the before a superlative degree.

    • The whales are the largest animal in the world.
    • April is the cruelest month.
    • Tanha is the tallest girl in the class.


    1. Interchange of Comparative & Positive Degrees

    It is possible to interchange positive and comparative degree without changing the meaning of the sentence. Read the following examples first. Note that both the sentences have the same meaning, but different form. 


    (a) Comparative: Jessica is older than Linda.

    Positive: Linda is not as old as Jessica.


    (b) Comparative: A cow is larger than a cat.

    Positive: A cat is not so large as a cow.



    Grammar Explanation

    (i) We use than after a comparative adjective or comparative adverb. 

    (ii) We use so or as before a positive adjective or positive adverb. After the positive adjective, we use as.


    That is-

    Comparative degree is used in the form-

    adjective + er + than

    more + adjective + than



    Positive degree is used in the form-

    as + adjective + as

    so + adjective + as



    Comparative: A lion is braver than a monkey. 

    Positive: A monkey is not so brave as a lion.


    Comparative: A rose is more beautiful than a lily.

    Positive: A lily is not as beautiful as a rose.


    Exercise:

    1. Change the following sentences as directed in brackets. 

    (a) They were wiser than the Magi. (Positive)

    (b) I am not as old as you. (Comparative degree)

    (c) Prevention is better than cure. (Positive)

    (d) A bus does not run as fast as a train. (Comparative degree)

    (e) An aero plane flies faster than a bird. (Positive)

    (f) Honesty is not as much as it. (Comparative degree)


    2. Interchange of Superlative, Comparative & Positive Degrees

    We can interchange superlative, comparative, positive degree without changing the meaning. Read the following examples first. Note that all the sentences have the same meaning, but different form. 



    Superlative: The rose is the finest flower.

    Comparative: The rose is finer than any other flower.

    Positive: No other flower is as fine as the rose.



    Grammar Explanation

    You have probably noted that-

    (i) we use the before the superlative degree

    (ii) we use than any other after the comparative degree

    (iii) we use as before and after the positive degree. The sentence begins with No other. 



    Form of Superlative Degree

    the + Superlative 


    Form of Comparative Degree

    Comparative + than


    Form of Positive Degree

    As/so + positive + as


    2. Change the following sentences as directed in brackets. 

    (a) Iron is the most useful metal. (Make it Comparative) 

    (b) The Ganga is the largest river in India. (Make it Comparative)

    (c) The rose is the finest of all flowers. (Make it Positive)

    (d) January is the coldest month in Bangladesh. (Make it Positive)

    (e) He is better than any other boy in the class. (Make it Superlative)

    (f) Elizabeth was greater than any other king of England. (Make it Superlative)

    (g) Mr. James is more popular than any other teacher.

    (h) Shakespeare was greater than any other dramatist. (Make it Positive)

    (i) It burns prettier than any other wood. (Make it Positive)

    (j) No other man in the village is as old as Willy. (Make it Comparative)

    (k) No other town in England is as large as London. (Make it Comparative)

    (l) No other girl in the class is as pretty as Rani. (Make it Superlative)

    (m) No other animal is as useful as the cow. (Make it Superlative)


    Interchange of Superlative, Comparative & Positive 

    We can interchange superlative, comparative, positive degree without changing the meaning. Read the following examples first. Note that all the sentences have the same meaning, but different form. 



    Superlative: He is one of the best boys in the class. 

    Comparative: He is better than most other boys in the class.

    Positive: Very few boys in the class are as good as he.



    Grammar Explanation

    You have probably noted that-

    (i) we use one of the before the superlative degree

    (ii) we use than most other after the comparative degree

    (iii) we use as before and after the positive degree. The sentence begins with Very few. 



    Form of Superlative Degree

    one of the + Superlative 


    Form of Comparative Degree

    Comparative + than most other 


    Form of Positive Degree

    As/so + positive + as


    Superlative: Jasmin is one of the oldest women in the village.

    Comparative: Jasmin is older than most other women in the village.

    Positive: Very few women in the village are as old as Jasmin.


    Change the following sentences as directed in brackets. 

    (a) Boston is one of the largest towns in the USA. (Make it comparative) 

    (b) Rani is one of the prettiest girls in the class. (Make it comparative)

    (c) The cow is one of the most useful of all animals. (Make it positive)

    (d) A cat is one of the cleverest animals. (Make it positive)

    (e) Charles was greater than most other kings of England. (Make it superlative)

    (f) Collins is more popular than most other teachers. (Make it superlative)

    (g) Shakespeare was greater than most other dramatists. (Make it positive)

    (h) The duck was more beautiful than most other birds. (Make it positive)

    (i) Very few metals are as useful as iron. (Make it comparative)

    (j) Very few rivers in Bangladesh are as large as the Padma. (Make it comparative)

    (k) Very few flowers are as fine as the rose. (Make it superlative)

    (l) Very few birds are as intelligent as the crow. (Make it superlative)