Notes on Degrees of Comparison

Degrees of Comparison are used when we compare one person or one thing with another. There are three degrees of comparison in English. 

Positive degree. When we speak about only one person or thing, we use the Positive degree.

This house is big. 

Comparative degree. When we compare two persons or two things with each other, we use both the Positive degree and Comparative degree.

This house is bigger than that one. (Comparative degree)

This house is not as big as that one. (Positive degree)

The term “bigger” is comparative form of  “big”.

Superlative degree. When we compare more than two persons or things with one another, we use all the three Positive, Comparative and Superlative degrees.

This is the biggest house in this street. (Superlative)

This house is bigger than any other house in this street. (Comparative)

No other house in this street is as big as this one. (Positive)

The term “biggest” is the superlative form of “big”.

Both these sentences convey the same meaning.

*Degrees of Comparison are applicable only to Adjectives and Adverbs*

*Nouns and verbs do not have degrees of comparisons*

He is the tallest student in the class.

The term “tallest” is an adjective.

Among the members of the group, Mr. Clinton speaks most effectively. The term “effectively” is an adverb.