Positive comparative superlative adjectives. Degrees of comparison of adjectives

ONLY QUALITATIVE ADJECTS HAVE COMPARATIVE DEGREES!

Qualitative adjectives differ in that they can denote a feature in varying degrees of its manifestation ( large - larger - largest). These forms are called degrees of comparison:

Comparative

excellent

The paradigm of degrees of comparison also includes the adjective from which forms of degrees of comparison are formed. The semantic basis of the degrees of comparison is a quantitative assessment of the feature measure. In the paradigm of degrees of comparison, the original adjective is called the positive degree form.

Comparative degree (comparative) - denotes a quality that is in any subject to a greater extent than in another, the name of which is put in the form of a gender case or nominative case; the latter is preceded by comparative union How(truth is more precious than gold).

Superlative (superlative) - denotes the highest degree of quality in any subject compared to another: favorite writer; are declined like normal adjectives.

Comparative and superlative degrees can be expressed in simple (synthetic) and complex (analytical) forms.

comparative

The simple form of the comparative degree does not change by gender, number and case; and therefore it must be able to distinguish it from the form of the comparative degree of the adverb. If a word of this type is syntactically related to a noun, then compare the degree of the adjective, if related to a verb, then compare the degree of the adverb ( oak is stronger than birch- adjunct; he gripped the handle tighter- adverb)

Forms of the comparative degree tend to be used in a position when connected, i.e. in the role of a predicate, but can also be a definition.

Formed from the base of the original adjective with the help of suffixes - her (s) - bolder,whiter(productive way) or -e, -she - more expensive, richer(unproductive way).

From adjectives with stem to k, g, x and some words with stems in d, t, st comparative degree is formed by means of a suffix –e(at the same time, the final consonant stems alternate with hissing ones) ( loud - louder, quiet - quieter, cool - cooler). In adjectives on -OK and -to the generating stem is truncated, the remaining final consonant alternates with a hissing or paired soft ( high is higher, low is lower).

Comparative forms with suffix –she single ( distant - further, early - earlier, long - longer).

From three adjectives, the form is formed in a suppletive way ( small - less, good - better, bad - worse).

Forms of the comparative degree are not formed from adjectives that name signs that do not change in degrees. Sometimes they are not formed in accordance with the usage, and not the meaning ( dilapidated, alien, scanty).

A complex form of degrees of comparison is formed by adding the word more. Moreover, such combinations can also be formed with a short form ( faster, more red).

Superlatives

The simple form of the superlative degree has features in its meaning: in addition to the above basic meaning of the superiority of quality in an object compared to other objects, this form can denote the highest, ultimate degree of quality in any object without comparison with others. In other words, it can denote an irrespectively high degree of quality: worst enemy, kindest creature.

A simple form is formed by adding a suffix –eysh (-aysh). At the same time, it is not formed from all adjectives, usually those lexemes do not have it, from which the form of the comparative degree is not formed. It may also be absent in those forms that have the form of a comparative degree. These are quality adjectives with suffixes –ast-, -ist, as well as many words with suffixes - liv-, -chiv-, -k-(narrow - narrower, hairy - hairier, silent - more silent).

A complex form is formed by combining a qualitative adjective and the word most. It is not related to lexical restrictions: the reddest, the kindest, the narrowest.

For adjectives with suffixes –ovat-(-evat-) no form of superlative degree is formed, tk. the feature incompleteness value is incompatible with the feature high degree value ( the most deaf, the most deaf).

The superlative form denotes the highest degree of quality. In contrast to the comparative degree, superlative forms cannot express a comparative assessment of the degree of a feature in the same subject and in two subjects.

Adjectives and adverbs in many languages ​​of the world have degrees of comparison. In English these are Positive Degree, Comparative Degree and Superlative degree, in Polish - rywny, wyższy, najwyższy, in French - le positif, le comparatif, le superlatif. The Russian language was no exception, it has a positive, comparative and superlative adjectives. How do they differ and what are their forms?

Degrees of comparison: types, table

The ability to form degrees of comparison is possessed by adjectives and adverbs formed from them.

There are three of them:

• Positive.
• Comparative.
• Excellent.

Each of them expresses a different level of possession of an object or a particular quality.

For example: resourceful boy ( positive), but it can be more resourceful ( comparative), and in a certain life situation and become the most resourceful at all ( excellent).

What adjectives form degrees of comparison?

As you know, all adjectives in the Russian language are divided into several categories.

• Qualitative - means the signs by which the object or creature may have in varying degrees: sweeter, sweeter, sweetest.
• Relative - they call the signs of an object or living being in their relation to circumstances, actions or other persons, things: a phone call, wooden building.
• Possessive - testify to the belonging of something to someone: Pushkin's stanza, father's parting words.

Only from the first category can a comparative and superlative degree of adjectives be formed (charming - more charming, the most charming), since one cannot say: “a more wooden building” or “the most Pushkin stanza”.

Adverbs that come from the qualitative category of adjectives can also form degrees of comparison: peppy - peppy (more peppy).

Comparative degree of adjectives in Russian

Before proceeding to consider the comparative degree, it is worth mentioning a little about the positive. This is the name of the initial degree of comparison (boring). In fact, it is considered a degree of comparison only formally. But the next is the comparative degree of the adjective (more boring, more boring). It serves to show that a certain object or person has a given quality in more / less quantity than someone / something else. For example: "This tea is stronger (stronger) than the one we drank yesterday."

Information about comparative forms

In the above example, you can see that the comparative degree in Russian can be formed in the following ways: with the help of suffixes or by adding an additional word (in this example it is "more"). It turns out that we can distinguish 2 forms of the comparative degree of adjectives in Russian: simple and compound, or, as it is sometimes called, complex.

Ways to form a simple shape

There are several ways to form it.

• With the help of suffixes -ee, -ee, -e, -she added to the base: peppy - more peppy. However, it is worth remembering that if suffixes of the comparative degree of adjectives -e, -she are used, then alternation of consonants at the root of the word may occur, and suffixes -k, -ok, -ek can be abolished altogether. For example: narrow - narrower, sonorous - louder.
• Sometimes a simple form can be formed by adding all the same -her, -her, -e, -she, as well as the prefix on-. For example: soon - quickly, quickly - quickly. Adjectives formed in this way, as a rule, are the lot of colloquial speech.
• Sometimes the comparative degree of adjectives in Russian is formed using a different stem of the word: bad - worse.

It is worth remembering that a simple form can not be formed from every quality adjective. It so happened historically that it is simply impossible to form it from some words. For example, from such adjectives as "tall" or "business". After all, you can’t say: “bigger” or “more businesslike”.

Unlike the positive, the simple comparative degree has no ending and does not change. For example, the adjective "light" changes by gender and number: "light", "light", "light", etc. In addition, it is inflected for cases. But the comparative degree of the adjective - "lighter", is unchanged.

In this form, the words, as a rule, perform the syntactic role of the predicate: "The words of love are sweeter than honey", and in individual cases- definitions: "Make the jam sweeter."

complex shape

Unlike a simple one, it is formed not with the help of suffixes or prefixes, but by adding the words "more" or "less" to the adjective in a positive degree. For example: "Rembrandt was a more brilliant artist than most of his contemporaries, but he was truly appreciated years after his death."

adjectives in complex form decline in cases, change in numbers and, accordingly, in gender, while "more" and "less" remain unchanged. For example: more powerful (powerful, powerful, powerful).

Both in simple form and in compound form, comparative adjectives in a sentence act as predicates or definitions: "Their relationship was closer and more elevated than that of anyone around."

Having considered the information on the comparative degree, it is now worth moving on to the study of the superlative. And it will help not to forget how the comparative degree of adjectives is formed - a table.

It briefly outlines all the information about simple and complex forms and their formation.

Brief information about superlatives of comparison

It serves to demonstrate that a certain object or living being is absolutely superior to any other in a certain quality, which is represented by them in the highest measure.

For example: "The house of the third piglet was the most durable and the wolf could not destroy it."

A little about superlatives

Knowledge of how the simple and complex comparative degree of adjectives is formed will help to deal with this topic. In the case of a superlative degree, both of its forms have similar names: simple and compound (complex) and are formed according to the corresponding principle.

They are formed according to the same principle:

• A simple one is formed by adding the suffixes -eysh, -aysh to the stem: caring - caring. Similarly with the comparative, the superlative can also have the stem suffix -k: low, inferior. A word formed with a simple superlative form declines in cases and changes in numbers and genders. While the comparative degree of an adjective in a simple form is devoid of this property. For example: "light". As mentioned above, in comparative form it is invariably - "lighter". But in the superlative degree - “the brightest”, it can change: “the brightest”, “the brightest”.
• The compound (complex) form is formed by adding the words "most", "least" or "most" ("most", "most", "most") to the adjective in a positive degree. For example: the brightest, the least entertaining, the most funny. In some cases, the comparative degree of the adjective plus the word "all" may also participate in the formation. For example: "This girl completed the task the fastest in the class." As with the compound comparative, the adjective in the superlative changes in the same categories. And the additional words: "most" or "least" remain unchanged: "The wolf ran the shortest way to Grandma's house and got ahead of Little Red Riding Hood." However, "most" also changes: "The wolf ran the shortest way to Grandma's house and got ahead of Little Red Riding Hood."

As for the syntactic role, adjectives in this degree, as a rule, act as predicates: "The most amazing journey." Less often - definitions: "It was a story about an amazing journey." And in a complex form, they most often play the role of definitions: "He was smarter than everyone in school."

Superlatives and Comparatives of Adjectives: Exercises to Consolidate Knowledge

To better remember all the material presented, it is worth practicing by doing a few fairly simple exercises.

By itself, the topic of comparative degrees of adjectives is quite easy. However, in order to avoid mistakes, it is worth remembering the basic rules, especially since in most European languages adjectives also have 3 degrees of comparison. Therefore, having figured out what they are in Russian, you can safely take on the study of the grammar of foreign languages.

Adjectives ( Adjectives ) are words that express qualities, attributes of objects. They answer the question which?. In a sentence, they usually define a noun. AT English language they do not change either by gender, or by numbers, or by cases:

a little girl - a little girl

a little boy - little boy

little children - little children

With a little boy - with a little boy.

Adjectives change only in degrees of comparison (Degrees of Comparison). There are three degrees of comparison of adjectives: positive (Positive Degree), comparative (Comparative Degree), excellent (Superlative Degree).

Rules for the formation of degrees of comparison of adjectives.

Adjectives in a positive degree do not have any endings, for example: quick (fast), slow (slow), old (old), new (new). Comparative and superlative degrees are formed using the suffixes -er and -est or by adding the words more (more) and most (most). The choice of method depends on the original form of the adjective.

One-syllable and some two-syllable adjectives form the comparative with the suffix -er and the superlative with the suffix -est. With the help of the suffixes -er, -est, two-syllable adjectives ending in -er, -ow, -y, -le (clever, narrow, early, simple) form degrees of comparison.

Here are some examples:

One-syllable and two-syllable adjectives

When writing, certain spelling rules must be observed.

1. If the adjective has a short vowel and ends in one consonant, then in the comparative degree and in the superlative degree this consonant is doubled:

big-bigger-big

big - more - largest, largest

Fat-fatter-fattest

thick, fat - thicker - the thickest

Wet-wetter-wettest

wet, wet – wetter – wettest

sad-sadder-saddest

sad, sad - more sad - the saddest

thin - thinner - thinnest

thin, thin - thinner - thinnest

2. If the adjective ends with a letter -y with a preceding consonant, then in the comparative and superlative degrees the letter y changes to i:

Easy - easier - easiest

light - lighter - lightest, lightest

early-earlier-earliest

early – earlier – earliest

dry-drier-driest

dry, arid – drier – driest

But the word shy (shy, fearful) does not obey this rule and forms degrees of comparison as follows:

shy - shyer - shyest.

3. If the adjective ends with a letter -e, then in comparative and superlative degrees is added -r, -st:

wide - wider - widest

wide - wider - widest, widest

late - later - latest

late – later – latest

fine-finer-finest

good, beautiful - better - the best

simple - simpler - simplest

simple - easier - simplest

Polysyllabic adjectives, i.e. adjectives of three or more syllables form degrees of comparison using more for the comparative and most for the superlative. Consider the following examples:

Polysyllabic adjectives

In the same way, i.e. using the words more for the comparative degree and most for the superlative degree, form degrees of comparison of some disyllabic words that end in -ed and -

Adjectives in Russian. They are indispensable when it is necessary to compare one characteristic of an object or phenomenon with another. Let's try to understand the intricacies of this topic.

Adjective

Before you start studying the topic "Degrees of comparison of adjectives in Russian", you need to find out how this part of speech differs from all others. And she really has a lot of features. It is hard to imagine our speech without this colorful, graceful group. With the help of adjectives, we describe appearance (short, handsome, unsightly), character (kind, grouchy, difficult), age (young, old). However, not only human qualities, but many other things can be represented with their help. For example, none work of fiction does not do without the use of adjectives. And even more so the lyrics. Thanks to this part of speech, stories, poems, novels acquire expressiveness and figurativeness.

Helps to form artistic means, as epithets (dazzling beauty, wonderful morning), metaphors of a stone heart), comparisons (looks like the happiest; the sky is like an azure watercolor).

A distinctive feature of adjectives is their ability to form short forms. The latter always play the role of a predicate in a sentence, which gives this part of speech another advantage - to give any text dynamics.

What is a degree?

Anyone who studies the Russian language faces this question. The degree of comparison of adjectives is a characteristic that helps to compare one object with another.

For example, we have two balls in front of us. They are exactly the same, only one of them is slightly different in size. We need to compare them with each other and conclude: one ball more another. We can approach this issue from a different angle and note that one ball smaller than the second one. In both cases, we used a word that characterizes the degree of comparison of these objects.

Now let's add to our objects one more of the same, but much larger. We need to distinguish it from others. How are we going to do it? Of course, use comparison. Only now you need to indicate that the third ball is different from the first and second at once. In this case, we say that he the largest among them.

It is for this that we need. We will describe each of their types in detail below.

comparative

When we have an adjective in front of us, which no one compares with anything, then it is characterized by a positive degree. But if one object needs to be compared with another, then we will use the comparative degree of the adjective.

It has two subspecies. The first is called simple, or suffixal. This means that the word used in this degree has a suffix characteristic of it.

For example: This table chic. Neighbor's table smarter ours.

In the first case, the adjective is in the positive degree. In the second, the suffix "her" was added to it and with the help of this they compared one table with another.

The second type is the composite degree. As the name implies, its formation does not occur with the help of morphemes, but with the use of special words.

For example: This project is very successful. The last project was more successful.

The word "more" helps us compare one project to another.

Another example: We have valuable information. The previous one turned out less valuable.

Now, with the help of the word "less", we indicated a sign that manifested itself to a lesser extent.

It is worth remembering that the degrees of comparison of adjectives in the Russian language, regardless of varieties, are formed only from neither possessive nor relative ones possess this ability.

Superlatives

In some situations, we need not only to compare one object or phenomenon with another, but to distinguish it from all similar ones. And here we will also come to the aid of the degree of comparison of adjectives in Russian. This degree of comparison is called excellent, which already implies the highest limit.

Like comparative, it has two varieties.

With the help of suffixes, a simple degree is formed.

For example: Ivanov strongest of all the athletes on the team.

The word "strong" with the suffix -eysh- formed and singled out the athlete Ivanov among other members of the team.

Next example: New tulle the most beautiful from what I have seen.

In this case, the auxiliary word "most" gave this sentence the same meaning as in the previous example. This form is called composite.

Sometimes it can be accompanied by the prefix nai- to enhance: the most beautiful.

Peculiarities

In some cases, the forms of degrees of comparison of adjectives have exceptions.

These include the words "good" and "bad". When we begin to compare objects with their help, we will encounter some difficulties.

For example: We have good evening. Let's try to form a chain of degrees of comparison.

In a simple comparison, we will see that the word "good" does not exist. He is replaced by "better". And for the word "bad" let's choose "worse". Such a phenomenon in Russian is called suppletivism of the foundations. This means that the word needs to change dramatically in order to form a comparative degree.

Conclusion

Thus, we managed to find out not only the basics, but also some nuances on the topic "Degrees of comparison of adjectives in Russian".

Now this rule will not cause you any difficulties, since it is quite simple.

Quality adjectives have a non-constant morphological sign of degrees of comparison.

School grammar indicates (see, for example, complex 2) that there are two degrees of comparison - comparative and superlative. It is more correct to single out three degrees of comparison - positive, comparative and excellent. The positive degree of comparison is the original form of the adjective, in relation to which we are aware of other forms as expressing a greater / lesser or greater / lesser degree of attribute.

The comparative degree of the adjective indicates that the attribute manifests itself to a greater / lesser extent in this object compared to another object (Petya is higher than Vasya; This river is deeper than the other) or the same object in other circumstances (Petya is higher than he was last year; The river is deeper here than there).

The comparative degree can be simple and compound.

A simple comparative degree indicates a greater degree of manifestation of a trait and is formed as follows:

the basis of a positive degree + formative suffixes -ee(s), -e, -she/-same (quick-her, higher-e, earlier, deeper).

If there is an element k / ok at the end of the stem of a positive degree, this segment is often truncated: deep - deep.

Some adjectives have suppletive, i.e. formed from a different stem, forms: bad - worse, good - better.

When forming a simple comparative degree, a prefix can be attached to - (newer). A simple comparative with a prefix is ​​used when the adjective takes a position inconsistent definition(Give me a newer newspaper) and does not require the introduction of what the given feature is compared to in the sentence. If the sentence contains both what is being compared and what is being compared with, the prefix adds a colloquial connotation (These shoes are newer than those).

Morphological features of a simple comparative degree are uncharacteristic of an adjective. This is

1) immutability,

2) the ability to control a noun,

3) use mainly in the function of the predicate (He is higher than the father). The position of definition can only be occupied by a simple comparative degree in a separate position (Much taller than other students, he seemed almost an adult) or in a non-isolated position with a prefix after a noun (Buy me fresher newspapers).

Composite comparative degree denotes both a greater and a lesser degree of manifestation of a feature and is formed as follows:

element more/less + positive degree (more/less high).

The difference between a composite comparative degree and a simple one is as follows:

1) the composite comparative degree is wider in meaning, since it denotes not only a greater, but also a lesser degree of manifestation of a feature;

2) the composite comparative degree changes in the same way as the positive degree of comparison (initial form), i.e., according to gender, numbers and cases, and can also stand in a short form (more beautiful);

3) a composite comparative degree can be both predicate and non-isolated and separate definition(Less interesting article featured in this magazine. This article is less interesting than the previous one.)

The superlative degree of comparison indicates the largest / smallest degree of manifestation of the attribute (the highest mountain) or the very large / small degree of manifestation of the attribute (the kindest person).

The superlative degree of comparison, like the comparative one, can be simple and compound.

A simple superlative degree of comparison of an adjective denotes the highest degree of manifestation of a feature and is formed as follows:

the basis of a positive degree + formative suffixes -eysh- / -aysh- (after k, g, x, causing alternation): good-eysh-y, high-aysh-y

When forming a simple superlative degree of comparison, the prefix best-: best-kindest can be used.

The morphological features of a simple superlative degree of comparison of adjectives are the same as those of a positive degree, i.e., variability in gender, number, cases, the use of a definition and a predicate in the syntactic function. Unlike the positive degree, the simple superlative adjective does not have a short form.

The compound superlative degree of comparison of adjectives denotes both the greatest and least degree manifestation of a trait and is formed in three ways:

1) the element is the most + positive degree (the smartest);

2) element most / least + positive degree (most / least smart);

3) a simple comparative degree + an element of everything / everyone (He was smarter than everyone).

Compound superlative forms formed in the first and second ways have morphological features characteristic of a positive degree, i.e. they change by gender, number and case, can have a short form (the most convenient), act both as a definition and as a nominal part predicate. Compound superlative forms formed in the third way are invariable and act mainly as a nominal part of the predicate.

Not all qualitative adjectives have forms of degrees of comparison, and the absence simple forms degrees of comparison is observed more often than the absence of compound forms.

The absence of a simple comparative and superlative degree may be due to

1) with the formal structure of the adjective: if the adjective has a suffix that matches the suffixes of relative adjectives, it may not have a simple comparative degree (skinny - *skinnier, *skinniest, advanced - *more advanced);

2) with lexical meaning adjective: the value of the degree of manifestation of the attribute can already be expressed in the basis of the adjective - in its root (barefoot - *bosee) or in the suffix (fat-enn-th - *thicker, evil-yushch-th - *feisty, white-oval-th - * whitish, blue-enky - * bluer).

Compound forms of degrees of comparison are not formed only for words with a semantic restriction, that is, in the second case. So, there are no forms *more furious, *less whitish, but there are forms less emaciated, more advanced.

Completeness / brevity of adjectives

Qualitative adjectives have a full and a short form

The short form is formed by adding a positive degree of endings to the stem: Ø for masculine, -a for feminine, -o / -e for middle, -ы / -idla plural(deep-Ø, deep-a, deep-o, deep-i).

A short form is not formed from quality adjectives that

1) have suffixes characteristic of relative adjectives -sk-, -ov-/-ev-, -n-: brown, coffee, fraternal;

2) designate the colors of animals: brown, black;

3) have suffixes of subjective assessment: tall, blue.

The short form has grammatical differences from the full form: it does not change by case, in the sentence it appears mainly as a nominal part of the predicate (cases like the beautiful girl, the white combustible stone are phraseologized archaic); the short form acts as a definition only in a separate syntactic position (Angry at the whole world, he almost stopped leaving the house).

In the position of the predicate, the meaning of the full and short forms usually coincides, but some adjectives may have the following semantic differences between them:

1) the short form denotes an excessive manifestation of a sign with a negative assessment, cf.: the skirt is short - the skirt is short;

2) the short form denotes a temporary symptom, the full one is permanent, cf.: the child is sick - the child is sick.

There are such qualitative adjectives that have only a short form: glad, much, should.

Transition of adjectives from category to category

It is possible for an adjective to have several meanings related to different categories. In school grammar, this is called "the transition of an adjective from category to category." Yes, at relative adjective a meaning characteristic of qualitative ones can develop (for example: iron detail (relative) - iron will (qual.) - metaphorical transfer). Possessives can have meanings that are characteristic of relative and qualitative ones (for example: fox hole (possessive) - fox hat (relative) - fox habits (qualitative). Qualitative adjectives used terminologically function as relative (deaf consonants). In this case, the adjective retains the type of its declension, but often change morphological features: qualitative ones lose their degrees of comparison and short form (for example, you can’t say * This consonant is deaf), while relative ones, on the contrary, can acquire these features (With each word, his voice became more and more honeyed , and habits - more and more fox.).