LESSON XXXII.
In the following sentences what degree of quality do the different forms of the adjective large express?
| 1. | John has a large ball. | |
| 2. | I have a larger ball than John’s. | |
| 3. | James has the largest ball in the yard. |
In sentence number 2, two balls are compared. In sentence number 3, three or more balls are compared. Hence the change of form of adjectives to express different degrees of quality is called comparison.
The form of the adjective, which merely expresses the quality, is called the positive degree; as, I have a small pen.
The form of the adjective that expresses a higher or lower degree of the quality, is called the comparative degree; as, Charles has a smaller pen than mine.
The form of the adjective that expresses the highest or the lowest degree of the quality, is called the superlative degree; as, The teacher has the smallest pen in the room.
Most adjectives of one syllable form the comparative by adding er to the simple form, and the superlative by adding est to the same form; as,