- Thomas is strong.
- William is stronger than Thomas.
- Herbert is strongest of the three.
This inflection of adjectives is called comparison, and the three forms are called degrees of comparison.
182. The degrees of comparison indicate by their form in what degree of intensity the quality described by the adjective exists.
There are three degrees of comparison,—the positive, the comparative, and the superlative.
1. The positive degree is the simplest form of the adjective, and has no special ending.
It merely describes the quality, without expressing or suggesting any comparison.
Thomas is strong.
Thus, the positive degree of the adjective strong is strong.
2. The comparative degree of an adjective is formed by adding the termination er to the positive degree.
It denotes that the quality exists in the object described in a higher degree than in some other object.