Degree of Comparison Rules

How to Use Degree of Comparison in IELTS

- The Degree of Comparison in IELTS can provide the leverage one might need to
score high bands and get good scores.
- The degree of comparison enhances proficiency in grammar by comparing
attributes of people, things, and actions. It consists of three levels: a positive,
comparative, and superlative comparison.
- The Degree of Comparison in IELTS is comparatively easy to grasp, and if
studied smartly, one can even use it to score high bands.
- The Degree of Comparison in IELTS is an essential concept that allows one to
express the quality or intensity of something. It helps to compare and contrast
various entities in size, quantity, or quality. Understanding its rules and
application is crucial to construct grammatically accurate sentences, especially
for those pursuing the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

There are three types of Degrees of comparison in IELTS:

• Positive degree of comparison
• Comparative degree of comparison
• Superlative degree of comparison

Positive Degree of Comparison

When an adjective is in its original form, it is referred to as a positive degree of

comparison. It only helps to understand the characteristics of a noun.

Examples:

• The sky is clear.

• The pen is light.
• It is cold here.
• Mango is sweet.

The Comparative Degree of Comparison

The comparative degree comes into play when two entities are being compared.
Most of the time, the adjectives and adverbs follow the pattern by adding "-er" or the
word "more" before the adjective and adverb.
Here are a few examples of comparative degrees:

• Positive: She is tall.

• Comparative: She is taller than her sister.
• Positive: He runs fast.
• Comparative: He runs faster than his friend.

Irregular Comparative Form

Some adjectives and adverbs have an irregular comparative form and do not typically
end with "-er" or more."

Here are some examples:

• Positive: good ===== as good as ---- better than ------- the best
• Comparative: better
• Positive: bad ======= as bad as ------- worse than ------- the worst
• Comparative: worse

The Superlative Degree of Comparison

It is used when three or more entities are being compared. In this case, the adjectives
and adverbs often add "-est" or use "most" before the adjective or adverb. Here are
some examples for better understanding:

• Positive: She is intelligent.

• Superlative: She is the most intelligent student in the class.
• Positive: It rains heavily.
• Superlative: It is the heaviest rains in this region.

Irregularities and Exceptions in Superlative Forms

Similar to the comparative degree of comparison, some anomalies exist in adjectives

and adverbs in excellent forms.

For example:
• Positive: good
• Superlative: Best
• Positive: bad
• Superlative: worst
• Positive: far
• Superlative: farthest
Role of Adjectives and Adverbs in the Degree of Comparison

Adjectives and adverbs are used in the degree of contrast to modify nouns and verbs,
respectively, or other adverbs. It is essential to note that some adjectives and adverbs
have irregular forms, so use the proper forms based on the number of entities being
compared. It is also important to carefully use the Degree of Comparison in IELTS.

Five Rules of the Degree of Comparison

• The degree of comparison is used to compare adjectives and adverbs.

• In a positive degree of comparison, the adjectives and adverbs are in their first
form, allowing no comparison.
• According to the comparative degree of comparison, two nouns can only be
compared if they have similar or lack the same features. The primary indicator
will be the suffix "-er".
• After the comparative adjective, "then" is always used to indicate the relative
degree of comparison.
• The superlative degree of comparison determines the strength and intensity of
nouns.