English -- Class 4

Topic: Degrees of Comparison
Name: ____________________________Class: 4Date: ________________
Learning Objectives
Let Us Begin!

Look at these three sentences: "Ravi is tall." "Ravi is taller than Amit." "Ravi is the tallest boy in the class." All three sentences use the adjective "tall," but in different forms. When we compare people, animals, or things, we change the form of the adjective. These different forms are called degrees of comparison.

The Three Degrees

Every adjective has three degrees:

1. Positive Degree -- describes one person or thing without comparing. Example: "This mango is sweet."

2. Comparative Degree -- compares two persons or things. We usually add -er. Example: "This mango is sweeter than that one."

3. Superlative Degree -- compares three or more persons or things. We usually add -est. Example: "This is the sweetest mango in the basket."

Think about it: When we compare two things, we use the comparative. When we compare three or more, we use the superlative.

Rules for Forming Comparatives and Superlatives

Rule 1: Short adjectives (one syllable) -- Add -er for comparative and -est for superlative.

Examples

tall -- taller -- tallest | small -- smaller -- smallest | long -- longer -- longest

Rule 2: Adjectives ending in -e -- Add only -r or -st.

Examples

large -- larger -- largest | brave -- braver -- bravest | fine -- finer -- finest

Rule 3: Short adjectives ending in a consonant after a single vowel -- Double the last letter, then add -er / -est.

Examples

big -- bigger -- biggest | hot -- hotter -- hottest | thin -- thinner -- thinnest | fat -- fatter -- fattest

Rule 4: Adjectives ending in -y -- Change y to i, then add -er / -est.

Examples

happy -- happier -- happiest | easy -- easier -- easiest | heavy -- heavier -- heaviest | lazy -- lazier -- laziest

Rule 5: Long adjectives (two or more syllables) -- Use more for comparative and most for superlative.

Examples

beautiful -- more beautiful -- most beautiful | careful -- more careful -- most careful

Irregular Adjectives

Some adjectives do not follow any rule. Their forms change completely. You must learn them by heart.

PositiveComparativeSuperlative
goodbetterbest
badworseworst
littlelessleast
much / manymoremost

Think about it: We say "Anita is a better singer than Priya," not "Anita is a gooder singer."

Key Words -- Degrees of Comparison
Key WordMeaning
Positive DegreeThe simple form of an adjective; no comparison is made.
Comparative DegreeUsed to compare two persons or things; usually ends in -er or uses "more."
Superlative DegreeUsed to compare three or more; usually ends in -est or uses "most."
Irregular AdjectiveAn adjective whose comparative and superlative forms are completely different.

English -- Class 4 (continued)

Topic: Degrees of Comparison -- Table and Practice
Adjective Comparison Table
PositiveComparativeSuperlativeRule Used
talltallertallestAdd -er / -est
shortshortershortestAdd -er / -est
fastfasterfastestAdd -er / -est
strongstrongerstrongestAdd -er / -est
bravebraverbravestEnds in -e; add -r / -st
largelargerlargestEnds in -e; add -r / -st
bigbiggerbiggestDouble last letter
hothotterhottestDouble last letter
thinthinnerthinnestDouble last letter
happyhappierhappiestChange y to i
easyeasiereasiestChange y to i
heavyheavierheaviestChange y to i
beautifulmore beautifulmost beautifulUse more / most
goodbetterbestIrregular
badworseworstIrregular
Key Points to Remember
Practice Questions

A. Fill in the Blanks with the Correct Degree

  1. An elephant is than a dog. (big)
  2. Mount Everest is the mountain in the world. (high)
  3. Meera is than Sita at drawing. (good)
  4. This road is than that road. (narrow)
  5. Today is the day of the year. (hot)

B. Complete the Table

PositiveComparativeSuperlative
cold
pretty
sad
worse
interesting

C. Multiple Choice Questions

  1. The comparative form of "happy" is:
    (a) happyer(b) happier(c) more happy
  2. The superlative form of "good" is:
    (a) goodest(b) better(c) best
  3. Which sentence is correct?
    (a) She is tallest than me.(b) She is taller than me.(c) She is more tall than me.

D. Write Sentences Using the Given Degree

  1. Use the comparative of "fast" to compare a cheetah and a horse.
  2. Use the superlative of "sweet" to describe your favourite fruit.
  3. Use the comparative of "bad" in a sentence about weather.
Fun Activity -- Comparison Chain

Look at the three items in each row. Write one sentence using the comparative and one using the superlative.

1. Ganga river, a pond, the Indian Ocean (deep)

2. A bicycle, a car, an aeroplane (fast)

3. A guava, a watermelon, a grape (big)