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 form positive degree.
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 regular 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.
Which acts as the original form: kind - kinder, more / less kind, kindest, kindest, kindest of all.
It expresses the attribute of a given object beyond comparison with the attribute of another object, in relation to the degree of manifestation of the attribute, it is neutral.
comparative
Comparative forms denote:
1. A sign that is manifested in one subject to a greater extent than in another.
- Elbrus above Kazbek.
- This first sound was followed by another, harder and lingering...
- (I. S. Turgenev)
- Further experiments were more complex than the previous ones.
- (Academician I.P. Pavlov)
2. A sign that in the same subject in different time manifests itself unequally, it is present to a greater, then to a lesser extent.
- I am now more modest became in desire
- My life or you dreamed of me ...
- (S. A. Yesenin)
- Faith has become more restrained than it was.
Comparative degree can be simple(consist of one word) and composite(composed of two words).
Comparative Degree Education
| initial form of the adjective | Means of Education of the Comparative Degree | Comparative adjective |
| spicy interesting nonsensical | simple form -her (-her) | acute her (her) interesting her more meaningless |
Adjectives with stems in r, k, x, d, t, st hot quiet expensive young steep | -e+ alternation of the final consonant of the stem | hot e hush e dearer e younger e steep e |
Adjectives with suffixes - to -, -OK -(-ek -) bottom k uy high ok uh | -e+ suffix truncation - to -, -OK -(-ek -) | lower e higher e |
long thin | -she+ truncation of the final consonant stem r, k | share she tone she |
high big | on - + -she(-e) | above for more |
good bad small | from other bases | better worse less |
| solid weak sweet | Composite form more or less words | harder less weak more sweet |
Qualitative adjectives with suffixes do not have a simple comparative degree - sk -, -ov -, -l -, -n -(they don't have short forms!): friendly, mass, blood, emaciated, etc. This also includes adjectives with the suffix - to - such as fusible, bulky, heavy, separate non-derivative words (flat, dilapidated, proud, sloping) and words denoting animal colors: brown, savrasy, etc.
Superlatives
Superlatives denote:
1. A sign that is manifested in this subject to the highest degree or more than in all other subjects.
- Elbrus - highest from the mountains of the Caucasus.
- In this group Ivanov - most capable and hardworking student.
- you today the best.
2. The ultimate degree of quality without comparison with other subjects, including as part of set expressions: the kindest soul, the worst enemy.
- Has come the most important stage in your life.
- Everything needs to be figured out smallest details.
Superlative education
| initial form of the adjective | Superlatives | Superlative adjective |
| strict brief quiet high | simple form -ash -+ alternating final consonant stem | watchman ish ii short ish ii hush ish ii high ish ii |
brave wonderful | -eysh - | brave eysh ii miraculous eysh ii |
high ok uh beautiful | nai -+ -sh- (truncation of the suffix - OK -) nai - + -eysh - | highest the most beautiful |
good bad small | from other bases | best the worst less |
| solid accessible | Composite form word most | the hardest the most accessible |
loyal happy | words most, least | most faithful least cheerful |
sad smart interesting | compare. step. adj. + Genitive pronouns all - all | the saddest of all smarter than everyone the most interesting |
Qualitative adjectives with suffixes do not form a simple superlative form - sk -, -n -, -ov -(-ev -), -to -, -ast -, -ist -: native , business , loud , loud , colorful , sprawling , thoroughbred , many words with suffixes - Liv -, -chiv -, -ovate - (-evat -): boisterous, talkative, whitish.
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 degree of 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.
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 an object or creature may have in varying degrees: sweet, sweeter, the 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.
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 completely abolished. For example: narrow - narrower, voiced - 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.
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 a simple form and in a compound form, comparative adjectives in a sentence play the role of predicates or definitions: "Their relationship was closer and more sublime 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 the 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."
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.- In this task, you need to form all possible forms of degrees according to the model: attractive, more attractive, more attractive, most attractive, most attractive, most attractive of all. AT this exercise you need to choose both superlative forms for the adjective, mark the suffixes and underline the alternating letters, according to the samples. In this task, you need to find errors and explain. 1. Petrov is the best player in the whole team. 2. Things were getting worse in our firm. 3. The air in the room was getting heavier. 4. Our enterprise turned out to be more successful. 5. Natasha's shoes are cheaper than Sveta's. In this exercise, you need to compare 2 items different properties, according to the sample: French and German (euphonious). – French is more euphonious than German. 1. Autumn and winter (warm). 2. Masha's locker and Dima's cabinet (convenient). 3. Laptop and smartphone (expensive). 4. Vladimir and Maxim (serious). 5. Katya and Valya (beautiful). 6. Kyiv and Lvov (young).
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
| positive degree | comparative | Superlatives |
|---|---|---|
| high - high | higher - higher, higher | highest - the highest |
| small - small | smaller - less | smallest - smallest, smallest |
| strong - strong | stronger - stronger, stronger | strongest - the strongest |
| cheap - cheap | cheaper - cheaper, cheaper | cheapest - the cheapest |
| quick - fast | quicker - faster | quickest - the fastest |
| new - new | newer - newer | newest - the newest |
| clean - clean | cleaner - cleaner, cleaner | cleanest - the cleanest |
| cold - cold | colder - colder, colder | coldest - the coldest |
| short - short | shorter - shorter, shorter | shortest - the shortest |
| great - great, big | greater - more | greatest - the greatest, greatest |
| weak - weak | weaker - weaker | weakest - the weakest |
| deep - deep | deeper - deeper, deeper | deepest - the deepest |
| low - low | lower - lower | lowest - the lowest |
| clever - smart | cleverer - smarter, smarter | cleverest - the smartest, the smartest |
| narrow - narrow | narrower - narrower | narrowest - the narrowest |
| shallow - small | shallower - smaller | shallowest - the smallest |
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 with more for the comparative and most for the superlative. Consider the following examples:
Polysyllabic adjectives
| positive degree | comparative | Superlatives |
|---|---|---|
| interesting - interesting | more interesting - more interesting | most interesting - the most interesting |
| beautiful - beautiful | more beautiful - more beautiful | most beautiful - the most beautiful |
| expensive - expensive | more expensive - more expensive | most expensive - the most expensive |
| difficult - difficult | more difficult - more difficult | most difficult - the most difficult |
| dangerous - dangerous | more dangerous - more dangerous | most dangerous - the most dangerous |
| important - important | more important - more important | most important - the most important |
| comfortable - comfortable | more comfortable - more comfortable | most comfortable - the most comfortable |
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 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 degree of 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, even become the most resourceful ( excellent).
What adjectives form degrees of comparison?
As you know, all adjectives in the Russian language are divided into several categories.
- Qualitative - means signs that an object or a living being can have in different degrees: sweet, sweeter, the sweetest.
- Relative - they call the signs of an object or a living being in their relation to circumstances, actions or other persons, things: a telephone call, a 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 completely abolished. 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, words, as a rule, perform the syntactic role of a predicate: "Words of love are sweeter than honey", and in some cases - definitions: "Make 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 a 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.
