+The Comparative Degree expresses a greater or a less degree of the quality.
+The Superlative Degree expresses the greatest or the least degree of the quality+.
+RULE.—Adjectives are regularly compared by adding er to the positive to form the comparative, and est to the positive to form the superlative+.
RULES FOR SPELLING.
+RULE I.—Final e is dropped before a suffix beginning with a vowel; as+, fine, finer; love, loving.
+Exceptions.+—The e is retained (1) after c and g when the suffix begins with a or o; as, peaceable, changeable; (2) after o; as, hoeing; and (3) when it is needed to preserve the identity of the word; as, singeing, dyeing.
+RULE II.—-Y after a consonant becomes i before a suffix net beginning with i; as,+ witty, wittier; dry, dried.
Exceptions.—-Y does not change before 's, nor in forming the plural of proper nouns; as, lady's, the Marys, the Henrys.
+RULE III.—In monosyllables and words accented on the last syllable, a final consonant after a single vowel doubles before a suffix beginning with a vowel; as+, hot, hotter; begin, beginning.
Exceptions.—X, k, and v are never doubled, and gas has gases in the plural.