English adjectives can exist in three forms – positive degree, comparative degree and superlative degree.

Usually it is possible to express the same idea using different forms of the adjective. Study the examples given below.

• The elephant is the largest land animal. (Here we used the superlative adjective largest)

It is possible to express the same idea using the positive and comparative adjectives.

• No other land animal is as large as the elephant. (positive adjective)
• The elephant is larger than any other land animal. (comparative adjective)

Change the degrees of comparison without changing the meaning.

1. I am not as rich as my neighbours. (Use the comparative degree)

2. Supriya is the brightest student in the class. (Use the comparative degree)

3. Platinum is more expensive than any other metal. (Use the positive degree)

4. The Indus Valley Civilization is older than the Egyptian Civilization. (Use the positive degree)

5. Hemingway is one of the greatest writers in English. (Use the positive degree)

6. Tokyo is the most populous city in the world. (Use the positive degree)

7. Cats are better than dogs at hunting. (Use the positive degree)

8. She is taller than her husband. (Use the positive degree)

9. The exam was easier than I thought. (Use the positive degree)

10. A dog is more loyal than a cat. (Use the positive degree)

Answers

1. My neighbours are richer than me.

2. Supriya is brighter than any other student in the class.

3. No other metal is as expensive as platinum.

4. The Egyptian Civilization is not as old as the Indus Valley Civilization.

5. Few other writers in English are as great as Hemingway.

6. No other city in the world is as populous as Tokyo.

7. Dogs are not as good as cats at hunting.

8. Her husband is not as tall as her.

9. The exam was not as difficult as I thought.

10. A cat is not as loyal as a dog.

Worksheet 2

Change degrees of comparison without changing the meaning

1. I am not as good as her. (use comparative form)

2. Iron is more useful than copper. (use positive form.)

3. Mumbai is one of the biggest cities in India. (Use positive form).

4. Milton is the greatest English poet. (use comparative form)

5. She sings better than me. (use positive adjective)

6. She does not earn as much as I do. (use comparative form)

7. She is as tall as her sister. (use comparative form)

8. No other man was as strong as Hercules. (use comparative form)

9. No other metal is as precious as platinum. (use superlative form)

10. Solomon was the wisest of all men. (use comparative form)

11. No other river is as long as the Nile. (Use comparative form)

12. Russia is the largest country in the world. (Use comparative form)

Answers

1. She is better than me.

2. Copper is not as useful as iron.

3. Few other cities in India are as big as Mumbai.

4. Milton is greater than any other English poet.

5. I do not sing as well as her.

6. I earn more than she does.

7. Her sister is not taller than her.

8. Hercules was stronger than any other man.

9. Platinum is the most precious metal.

10. Solomon was wiser than any other man.

11. The Nile is longer than any other river in the world.

12. No other country in the world is as large as Russia.