The positive degree of an adjective denotes simple quality.
The comparative degree denotes a higher degree of a quality.
The superlative degree denotes the highest degree of a quality.
266. Most adjectives of one syllable and many adjectives of two syllables regularly add er to the positive to form the comparative degree, and est to the positive to form the superlative degree, as:
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| sweet | sweeter | sweetest |
| cold | colder | coldest |
| soft | softer | softest |
| brave | braver | bravest |
| clear | clearer | clearest |
267. Adjectives ending in y change y to i and add er and est to form the comparative and superlative degree, as:
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| busy | busier | busiest |
| lazy | lazier | laziest |
| sly | slier | sliest |
| witty | wittier | wittiest |
268. Many adjectives cannot be compared by this change in the word itself, since the addition of er and est would make awkward or ill-sounding words. Hence we must employ another method to form the comparison of this sort of words. To say, beautiful, beautifuller, beautifullest, is awkward and does not sound well. So we say beautiful, more beautiful, most beautiful.
Many adjectives form the comparative and superlative degree by using more and most with the simple form of the adjective, as: