Uses of Degrees of Comparison of Adjectives
In this article we will study the various uses of Degrees of Comparison of Adjectives. Also, we will have a look at the common errors students make while using these adjectives.
To show Increase / Decrease
Gradual Increase / decrease
In case of gradual Increase / decrease, use the following structures.
Pattern 1: …… + get/become + Comparative degree adjective + and + Comparative degree adjective
Our English is getting good with each passing day. (incorrect)
Our English is getting better and better with each passing day. (correct)
In his old age a man is likely to get more weak by the day. (incorrect)
In his old age a man is likely to get weaker and weaker by the day. (correct)
Pattern 2: …… + get/become + more and more + Positive degree adjective
We are becoming more and more diligent.
Parallel Increase / decrease
In case of parallel increase and decrease, we use the following structure.
Pattern: The + Comparative degree adjective + Subject + Verb + ………… + the + Comparative degree adjective + Subject + Verb + …….
The more electricity we use, higher the bill will be. (incorrect)
The more electricity we use, the higher the bill will be. (correct)
The more you work, the most money you earn. (incorrect)
The more you work, the more money you earn. (correct)
Use of ‘the’ with superlative and comparative degree
Use of ‘the’ with superlative degree adjectives
We generally use ‘the’ before a superlative degree.
E.g. the latest, the best etc.
This kind of skirt is the latest fashion.
It’s true as per the latest news.
‘most’ can be used in two ways:
as superlative degree it means the most. Here we use ‘the most’.
He is the most intelligent boy.it may be used to mean a large number. Here we do not use ‘the most’.
Most of the boys in this class are intelligent.
Note: Mostly - it means generally, or in general case.
Use of ‘the’ with comparative degree adjectives
In comparative degree we generally do not use ‘the’, except in these cases:
in case of selection
Out of these two kids, this one is the taller.
Which one of these two is the better gaming station?The + Comparative degree adjective + Subject + Verb + the + Comparative degree adjective …
The more we get the more we want.The + Comparative degree adjective + the + Comparative degree adjective
The more the merrier. (idiomatic expression)
The more the better. (idiomatic expression)
Making a choice
Concept 1
When one is chosen out of two, we use the following pattern:
Pattern: the + comparative degree adjective + of
He is the best of two pilots. (incorrect)
He is the better of two pilots. (correct)
Concept 2
When one is chosen out of ‘more than two’ or ‘all’, we use the following pattern:
Pattern: the + superlative degree adjective + of
He is the best of the three umpires.
He is the best of all the umpires.
Comparing two qualities in the same person or thing
When we need to compare two qualities in the same person or thing (i.e. noun/pronoun), then we do not use the –er form of comparative degree.
Instead of the comparative degree adjective, we use ‘more/less + positive degree adjective’.
Pattern: more/less + Positive degree adjective + than + Positive degree adjective
Compare the following sentences:
Mragank is taller than Mayank. (same quality of two persons being compared)
Mragank is more brave than prudent. (two qualities of the same person are being compared)
Extra Books and Tools
If you prefer to learn via books, or want some good English Grammar books for reference purposes, you may read this article which enlists some of the books recommended by us.