COMPARISON DEGREE

 

Most descriptive adjectives and adjectives quantitative has a level comparison that describes a noun.
In the English, levels comparison of the adjective is called the degrees of comparison, which is divided into 3 (three) categories:

1. Positive Degree (Tingkat Biasa)

2. Comparative Degree (Tingkat Lebih)

3. Superlative Degree (Tingkat Paling)

The Comparative degree is made from combination with the suffix -er or -r and more prefix. While the superlative degree are formed by adding the suffix -est or -st and most prefix.

To establish the level of comparative adjectives are as follows:

1. Adjective (adjective) consisting of one syllable, only coupled with the suffix –er and –est
Ex: Fast-Faster-Fastest

Loud-Louder-Loudest

2. The adjective consisting of one syllable and ends in a single consonant that begins with the vocals, plus the suffix -er and -est. the last consonant is doubled.
Ex: Hot-Hotter-Hottest

Fat-Fatter-Fattest

3. Adjective that end with -y and starts one or two consonants, then -y is replaced by -i and then adding -er or -est.
Ex: Easy-Easier-Easiest

Friendly-Friendlier-Friendliest

4. Adjectives that end with -y and begins with a vocals, the letter -y does not change and the direct plus -er or -est.
Ex: Grey-Greyer-Greyest

Lay-Layer-Layest

5. Adjective of two syllables that at the end of adjective with -er or –ow ,then adding the -er and -est.
Ex: Clever-Cleverer-Cleverest

6. Adjectives of two syllables which ending with -e, then only add -r or -st only.
Ex: Wide Wider Widest

7. Adjectives of two syllables, but the pronunciation falls on the first syllable, Add with more and most.
Ex: Famous-More Famous-Most Famous

8. Adjectives of three syllables or more, added with more and most.
Ex: Terrible-More Terrible-Most Terrible

There are some adjective which the comparative and superlative forms it does not follow the rules as set out aboves.It called Irregular Degrees of Comparison.

Ex: A few Less Least
Few Fewer Fewest

Old Older Oldest
Elder Eldest

Many More Much
Much More Much

In the using of the degrees of comparison in English sentences. We should pay attention to the following points, for the example:

1. Positive Degree
In General, This form is used to:

a. Tell something (Declare something) that it is.
Ex:
• She is an attractive girl (Dia adalah seorang gadis yang menarik)

b. Comparing someone or something different, the formula which used is:
as + Positive Degree + as
Ex:
• Your house as big as my house
or using this as a replacement formula:
No less + Positive Degree + Than
Ex:
• Your house no less big than my house

c. Decribing Two things or person which don’t have any similiarity. The formula is:
Not + so + Positive degree + as
Ex:
• His car not so new as yours
or using this as a replacement:
Less + Positive degree + than
Ex:
• His car less new than yours

2. Comparative Degree
In most of the case, this was used to compare two different things or people, or in other words used to express something or person that has more than the others. The formula used is:

Comparative degree + Than
Ex:
• My car is faster than his car

3. Superlative Degree
This form is used to telling that someone or something has the most …… than others. Generally used to compare three or more objects.The formula used are :

The + Superlative + Nouns + In
The + Superlative + Of
Ex:
• This is the fastest car in the rally.
• Elvis Presley is the greatest musician in the world
or using this as replacement for the both formulas:

The + Superlative (with most) + Noun
Ex:
• She is the most beautiful woman in this country

However, there are many comparison form which using for several problems:

· As many .... as

Using for Countable nouns in plural

Ex: She has as many cars as me

· As much .....as

Using for Uncountable nouns

Ex: I need as much water as Him

· More....than

Using for Countable or Uncountable Nouns.

Ex: He has more book than me

She want more water than Johnny

· Fewer...than

Using for Countable nouns in plural

Ex: She has fewer bags than Linda

· Less...than

Using for Uncountable Nouns

Ex: We need less paper than me

· The most....

Using for Countable or Uncountable Nouns

Ex: Surabaya has the most hotels in East Java

· The fewest....

Using for Countable Nouns in plural

Ex: Jim has the fewest books in our class

· The least....

Using for Uncountable Nouns in plural

Ex: He has the least money in our room

REFERENCES

Azar, B.S (2002) Understanding and Using English Grammar, Third Edition with Answer Key New York : Pearson/Longman.

Wilkinson,G & Hariyanto,D (2004) Complete English Grammar Special Edition. Jakarta: Pustaka Indonesia.