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Degrees of Comparison, Education, English Grammar, Grammar Worksheets

Degrees of Comparison – Complete Guide with 5 Solved Worksheets for Class 4 to 10 Students

Positive, Comparative, and Superlative 

Degrees of comparison are an essential part of English grammar. They allow us to compare the qualities of people, places, and things, making our language more precise and expressive . For students from Class 4 to Class 10, mastering degrees of comparison is key to building strong writing and speaking skills.

At Dhingra Classes Nashik, we believe that understanding this topic is the foundation for clear and effective communication. This comprehensive guide covers the definitions of the three degrees, the rules for forming them, common irregular forms, and includes 5 solved practice worksheets with answer keys to help you master the topic.

📘 The Three Degrees of Comparison

There are three degrees of comparison for adjectives and adverbs .

DegreeDefinitionExample
Positive DegreeThe base form of an adjective. It describes a quality without making any comparison .She is tall.
Comparative DegreeUsed to compare two things. It shows that one has more (or less) of a quality than the other .She is taller than her sister.
Superlative DegreeUsed to compare three or more things. It shows that one has the most (or least) of a quality among all .She is the tallest in the class.

Important Rules:

  • The comparative degree is usually followed by the word “than” .

  • The superlative degree is usually preceded by the word “the” and followed by “of” or “in” .

🔍 How to Form Comparative and Superlative Degrees

There are specific rules for forming these degrees, depending on the length and ending of the adjective .

1. One-Syllable Adjectives

For most one-syllable adjectives, we add “-er” for the comparative and “-est” for the superlative .

PositiveComparativeSuperlative
talltallertallest
greatgreatergreatest
strongstrongerstrongest

Spelling Rules:

  • If the adjective ends in -e, just add “-r” and “-st” . (e.g., brave → braver → bravest)

  • If the adjective ends in a consonant + y, change the ‘y’ to ‘i’ before adding “-er” or “-est” . (e.g., happy → happier → happiest)

  • If the adjective ends in a single vowel + single consonant, double the final consonant before adding the suffix . (e.g., big → bigger → biggest, hot → hotter → hottest)

2. Two-Syllable Adjectives

Two-syllable adjectives can be tricky. They often follow one of these two patterns :

  • Some take “-er” and “-est”, especially those ending in -er, -y, -ow, or -le (e.g., clever, happy, narrow, gentle).

  • Many take “more” and “most” (e.g., famous, pleasant) .

PositiveComparativeSuperlative
clevercleverercleverest
narrownarrowernarrowest
famousmore famousmost famous

3. Three or More Syllable Adjectives

For longer adjectives, we always use “more” for the comparative and “most” for the superlative .

PositiveComparativeSuperlative
beautifulmore beautifulmost beautiful
intelligentmore intelligentmost intelligent
interestingmore interestingmost interesting

4. Irregular Comparisons

Some common adjectives do not follow any rules. Their comparative and superlative forms must be memorized .

PositiveComparativeSuperlative
good / wellbetterbest
bad / illworseworst
littleless / lesserleast
much / manymoremost
farfarther / furtherfarthest / furthest
oldolder / elderoldest / eldest

Note: “Elder” and “eldest” are usually used for family members and are not followed by “than” .

❗ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Using double comparatives: This is a common error where both “-er” and “more” are used together. It is grammatically incorrect .

    • Incorrect: He is more taller than his brother.

    • Correct: He is taller than his brother.

  2. Using double superlatives: Similarly, avoid using both “-est” and “most”.

    • Incorrect: She is the most best student in the class.

    • Correct: She is the best student in the class.

  3. Using “than” with irregular adjectives: Adjectives like ‘superior’ and ‘inferior’ are followed by “to,” not “than” .

    • Incorrect: This is more superior than that.

    • Correct: This is superior to that.

📝 5 Solved Practice Worksheets

Worksheet 1 – Identify the Degree of Comparison

Instructions: Identify whether the underlined adjective is in the Positive, Comparative, or Superlative degree.

QuestionAnswer
1. Anil is an intelligent boy.Positive Degree
2. She is taller than her sister.Comparative Degree
3. Sajal is the most intelligent of the three.Superlative Degree
4. This is a difficult exam.Positive Degree
5. The Himalayas are the highest mountain range.Superlative Degree
6. A car is faster than a bicycle.Comparative Degree
7. Neha is the tallest of the three.Superlative Degree
8. Riya is taller than Mohita.Comparative Degree

Worksheet 2 – Fill in the Blanks

Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the correct degree of comparison of the adjective in parentheses.

QuestionAnswer
1. My sister is _____ than me. (tall)taller
2. This is the _____ car I’ve ever seen. (expensive)most expensive
3. He is _____ than his classmates. (intelligent)more intelligent
4. The weather today is _____ than yesterday. (hot)hotter
5. This is the _____ movie I’ve ever watched. (bad)worst

Worksheet 3 – Correct the Errors

Instructions: Correct the errors in the following sentences.

QuestionCorrection
1. He is more taller than his brother.He is taller than his brother.
2. This is a more safer place.This is a safer place.
3. He is the most best boy in the class.He is the best boy in the class.
4. He is more inferior to me.He is inferior to me.

Worksheet 4 – Rewrite the Sentences

Instructions: Rewrite the following sentences by changing the degree of comparison as instructed.

QuestionAnswer
1. Rewrite in the superlative degree: “He is kind.”He is the kindest.
2. Convert to positive degree: “The Nile is the longest river in the world.”No river is as long as the Nile.
3. Change to comparative: “This task is easy.”This task is easier than that one.
4. Convert to positive: “Tom is stronger than Sam.”Sam is not as strong as Tom.

Worksheet 5 – Match the Following

Instructions: Match the positive degree with its correct comparative and superlative form.

PositiveComparativeSuperlative
1. good(a) more beautiful(i) worst
2. bad(b) better(ii) most beautiful
3. beautiful(c) worse(iii) best
4. far(d) farther(iv) farthest

Answers:

  1. good → (b) better → (iii) best

  2. bad → (c) worse → (i) worst

  3. beautiful → (a) more beautiful → (ii) most beautiful

  4. far → (d) farther → (iv) farthest

🧠 Tips to Master Degrees of Comparison

  • Learn the Rules: Understand the rules for forming comparatives and superlatives based on the adjective’s syllable count and ending .

  • Memorise Irregulars: Remember the common irregular adjectives like good, bad, far, and little .

  • Use a Structured Approach: Identify the number of items and the quality being compared to choose the correct degree.

  • Practice Regularly: Worksheets help reinforce the concept and improve application skills .

🌟 How Dhingra Classes Helps Students Master English Grammar

At Dhingra Classes Nashik, we make grammar easy and engaging by:

  • Conceptual Teaching: Explaining rules with real-life examples.

  • Interactive Practice: Quizzes, games, and group activities.

  • Regular Worksheets: Providing exercises to reinforce learning.

  • Personalized Attention: Helping each student overcome their challenges.

📞 Contact Dhingra Classes Nashik

  • Phone: 98230 62106

  • Email: dhingraclassesnsk@gmail.com

  • Website: www.dhingraclassesnashik.com

  • Address: Plot No 3, Deacon Homes, 301C, Opp. Metro Zone, Near Guru Govind Singh, Samarth Nagar, Pathardi Phata, Nashik, Maharashtra 422009