DEGREE OF COMPARISON

English has three degrees of comparison

for adjectives. They are the positive, the
comparative and the superlative. Study
these examples:
1.Spaghetti is cheap
2.Bread is cheaper
3.Rice is the cheapest
Positive Degree → is used to compare two things that
are equal.
The pattern
S + to be/ verb + as + adj + as
Examples
1.My book is as interesting as yours
2.His car runs as fast as a race car
3.Their house is as big as that one
4.She dances as beautiful as her sister
5.The moon doesn’t shine as bright as the sun
Comparative Degree → is used to compare two
things that are not equal.

The Pattern for 1 syllable

S + to be/ verb + adj + er + than

Examples
1.Today is hotter than yesterday
2.Bill runs faster than Bob
3.This exercise is easier than the last one
4.Andi works harder than his brother
5.My score is better than yours
6.The bread tastes worse than croissant
7.Your money is less than your friend’s money
The pattern for two or more than two syllables
S + to be/ verb + more + adj + than
Examples
1. This red dress is more comfortable than the
white
2. This year’s exhibit is more impressive than
the last year’s
3. My husband is more handsome than others
4. He studies English more diligent than me
5. My mother cooks Rendang more delicious
than my aunt
Superlative Degree→ is used to compare one thing with
two or more other things.
The pattern for 1 syllable
S + to be/verb + the + adj + est
Examples
1. John is the tallest boy in the family
2. He works the hardest employee of all the employee in this
office
3. I will do the best for my family
4. Mr Lala Bumela is the smartest Lecturer in English
Department
5. Your performance today is the worst in the class
The pattern for more than two syllables
S + to be + the most + adj
Examples
1. Joko Widodo is the most important person in Indonesia
right now
2. Nadia is the most diligent student in her class
3. Laptop is the most expensive thing I’ve ever bought
4. Mr Hendra is the most reliable person I know
5. Pecel Lele is the most delicious food I’ve ever tasted
Irregular Adjective for Degree of
Comparison
POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
Bad Worse The worst
Far Farther The Farthest
Further The Furthest
Good Better The best
Well Better the best
Little Less The least
much/many more The most
Exercise
Fill in the correct form of the words in brackets (positive,
comparative or superlative)
1. That tall woman is _____ (ambitious) secretary in this
house.
2. Pierre understands English _____ (little) of all the
students
3. He plays guitar _____ (well) as Andre Segovia.
4. Nobody is _______ (happy) than Maria Elen
5. Brazil export ____ (much) coffee of all the American
countries