Three Degrees of Adjectives

 

Three Degrees of Adjectives

Adjectives are fundamental building blocks of language that add color, depth, and detail to our communication. They serve the crucial role of modifying and describing nouns, providing clarity and context to our expressions.

It comes in the three degrees: the positive, comparative, and superlative.

Positive Degree

The positive degree of an adjective is the simplest form, used to describe a noun without making any comparison. For example, in the phrase "a beautiful flower," the adjective "beautiful" is in its positive degree, simply expressing the quality of the flower without comparing it to anything else.

Comparative Degree

When we wish to compare two nouns, we employ the comparative degree of adjectives. This degree indicates a higher or lower degree of a particular quality in relation to another noun.

 For instance, in the phrase "a faster car," the adjective "faster" compares the speed of one car to another. Similarly, in "a more beautiful sunset," the adjective "more beautiful" highlights a greater degree of beauty compared to other sunsets.

 

The superlative degree

It is used to denote the highest or lowest degree of a quality among three or more nouns. Superlative adjectives often end in "-est" or are preceded by the word "most."

For example, in "the tallest building," the adjective "tallest" signifies the building with the greatest height among multiple buildings. Superlative adjectives are indispensable for expressing superiority or inferiority within a group of nouns.

Some Examples: Top of Form

 

Adjective	Hindi Meaning	Simple Degree	Comparative Degree	Superlative Degree
angry (गुस्सा)	गुस्सेदार	angry	angrier	angriest
beautiful (सुंदर)	सुंदर	beautiful	more beautiful	most beautiful
big (बड़ा)	बड़ा	big	bigger	biggest
brave (बहादुर)	बहादुर	brave	braver	bravest
calm (शांत)	शांत	calm	calmer	calmest
cold (ठंडा)	ठंडा	cold	colder	coldest
comfortable (आरामपसंद)	आरामपसंद	comfortable	more comfortable	most comfortable
correct (सही)	सही	correct	more correct	most correct
cruel (क्रूर)	क्रूर	cruel	crueler	cruelest
deep (गहरा)	गहरा	deep	deeper	deepest
difficult (कठिन)	कठिन	difficult	more difficult	most difficult
dull (कुंजीबद्ध)	बोर	dull	duller	dullest
eager (उत्साही)	उत्साही	eager	eagerer	eagerest
easy (आसान)	आसान	easy	easier	easiest
excited (उत्साहित)	उत्साहित	excited	more excited	most excited
few (कुछ)	कुछ	few	fewer	fewest
fresh (ताजा)	ताजा	fresh	fresher	freshest
generous (उदार)	उदार	generous	more generous	most generous
good (अच्छा)	अच्छा	good	better	best
happy (खुश)	खुश	happy	happier	happiest
hard (कठोर)	कठोर	hard	harder	hardest
high (उच्च)	उच्च	high	higher	highest
hot (गरम)	गरम	hot	hotter	hottest
large (बड़ा)	बड़ा	large	larger	largest
long (लंबा)	लंबा	long	longer	longest
low (नीच)	नीच	low	lower	lowest
much (अधिक)	अधिक	much	more	most
necessary (आवश्यक)	आवश्यक	necessary	more necessary	most necessary
nice (अच्छा)	अच्छा	nice	nicer	nicest
old (पुराना)	पुराना	old	older	oldest
pleased (खुशी)	खुशी	pleased	more pleased	most pleased
quiet (शांत)	शांत	quiet	quieter	quietest
sad (दुखी)	दुखी	sad	sadder	saddest
satisfied (संतुष्ट)	संतुष्ट	satisfied	more satisfied	most satisfied
scary (डरावना)	डरावना	scary	scarier	scariest
short (छोटा)	छोटा	short	shorter	shortest
small (छोटा)	छोटा	small	smaller	smallest
soft (नरम)	नरम	soft	softer	softest
sour (खट्टा)	खट्टा	sour	sourer	sourest
special (खास)	विशेष	special	more special	most special
spicy (तीखा)	मसालेदार	spicy	spicier	spiciest
stable (स्थिर)	स्थिर	stable	more stable	most stable
sweet (सुखद)	मिठा	sweet	sweeter	sweetest
terrible (भयानक)	भयानक	terrible	more terrible	most terrible
unhappy (असंतुष्ट)	असंतुष्ट	unhappy	unhappier	unhappiest
warm (गरम)	गरम	warm	warmer	warmest
worried (चिंतित)	चिंतित	worried	more worried	most worried
wrong (गलत)	गलत	wrong	wronger	wrongest

 

Adjectives - the Noun Modifier

 

Adjectives

1. Definition

An adjective is a word that modifies or describes a noun or pronoun. It is done by providing more information about its qualities, characteristics, or attributes.

Adjectives can convey various aspects such as size, color, shape, age, origin, material, and more. They add details to the nouns.

 Examples:

1. Size: big, small, large, tiny, gigantic, massive
• e.g., a big house, a tiny ant, a massive elephant
2. Color: red, blue, green, yellow, purple, orange
• e.g., a red apple, a blue sky, green grass
3. Shape: round, square, triangular, oval, rectangular
• e.g., a round ball, a square box, a triangular sign
4. Age: old, young, new, ancient, modern
• e.g., an old tree, a young child, a new car
5. Origin: Indian, French, Italian, American, Chinese, African
• e.g., a French cuisine, an Italian designer, Indian culture
6. Material: wooden, metal, plastic, cotton, silk
• e.g., a wooden table, a metal spoon, a plastic bottle
7. Quality: beautiful, ugly, smart, brave, kind, friendly
• e.g., a beautiful sunset, an ugly sweater, a smart student
8. Quantity: few, many, several, numerous, countless
• e.g., few people, many opportunities, several options
9. Condition: broken, intact, damaged, perfect, clean, dirty
• e.g., a broken vase, an intact package, a damaged car
10. Position: top, bottom, middle, front, back, side
• e.g., the top floor, the middle seat, the front row
11. Emotion: happy, sad, excited, angry, nervous
• e.g., a happy child, a sad movie, an excited puppy
12. Taste: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, spicy
• e.g., a sweet dessert, a sour lemon, a bitter medicine
13. Sound: loud, soft, quiet, noisy, melodic
• e.g., a loud alarm, a soft whisper, a noisy crowd
14. Texture: rough, smooth, soft, hard, silky
• e.g., a rough surface, a smooth fabric, a soft blanket
15. Temperature: hot, cold, warm, freezing, scorching
• e.g., a hot cup of tea, a cold drink, a warm sweater

 

2. Types of Adjectives

1. Descriptive Adjectives: Descriptive adjectives are the most common type. They simply describe the characteristics or qualities of a noun. These adjectives answer questions like "What kind?" or "Which one?"

·         The big dog chased the ball across the yard.

• She wore a blue dress to the party.
• The tall tree reached towards the sky.
• He has always been known for his friendly demeanor.
• The delicious aroma of freshly baked bread filled the kitchen.

2. Quantitative Adjectives: Quantitative adjectives, as the name suggests, express the quantity or amount of the noun they modify. They answer the question "How much?" Examples include "few," "many," "several," "all," "some," and "no."

·         I have few books on my shelf.

• There are many stars in the night sky.
• She bought several bags of groceries.
• All students must submit their assignments by Friday.
• Do you have some spare change?

3. Demonstrative Adjectives: Demonstrative adjectives indicate which noun is being referred to and how many of them there are in relation to the speaker. They include words like "this," "that," "these," and "those." These adjectives help to clarify the noun's position or identity in context.

• This book is my favorite.
• That car is parked in the wrong spot.
• These cookies are delicious.
• Have you seen those new shoes she's wearing?
• I like those paintings on the wall.

4. Possessive Adjectives: Possessive adjectives demonstrate ownership or possession of the noun they modify. Examples include "my," "your," "his," "her," "its," "our," and "their."

·         My cat loves to nap in the sun.

• Is that your pen on the desk?
• His car broke down on the highway.
• She brushed her hair before leaving the house.
• The students forgot their homework assignments.

5. Interrogative Adjectives: Interrogative adjectives are used to ask questions about nouns. Examples include "which," "what," and "whose." They precede nouns in interrogative sentences .

• Which book do you want to read first?
• What time does the movie start?
• Whose bag is this?
• Which restaurant serves the best pizza in town?
• What color is your new car?

6. Indefinite Adjectives: Indefinite adjectives refer to nonspecific nouns, indicating an indefinite or unspecified quantity or identity. Examples include "any," "some," "several," "many," and "few."

·         Do you have any spare change?

• She bought some fresh fruit at the market.
• Several people attended the meeting.
• There were many guests at the party.
• I have few regrets about my decision.

7. Comparative and Superlative Adjectives: These adjectives are used to compare two or more nouns in terms of their qualities or characteristics.

Comparative adjectives, such as "bigger," "smaller," "faster," and "slower," compare two nouns, while superlative adjectives, such as "biggest," "smallest," "fastest," and "slowest," indicate the highest degree of a quality among three or more nouns.

• The elephant is bigger than the lion.
• This is the smallest cake I've ever seen.
• She is faster than her brother in running.
• He is the tallest person in the room.
• This car is slower than the one I used to have.

For more examples of comparative and superlative degrees, read.....

3. Order of Adjectives

1. Rule of Thumb: OSASCOMP The order of adjectives in English follows a general rule of thumb known as OSASCOMP, which stands for:
• Opinion
• Size
• Age
• Shape
• Color
• Origin
• Material
• Purpose

This mnemonic serves as a helpful reminder of the typical order in which adjectives should be placed before a noun. Adjectives pertaining to opinion usually come first, followed by those related to size, age, shape, color, origin, material, and purpose.

Examples of Correct Adjective Placement

• Opinion: A beautiful (opinion) small (size) old (age) round (shape) blue (color) Italian (origin) wooden (material) dining (purpose) table.
• Size: A big (size) red (color) leather (material) sofa.
• Age: An ancient (age) Egyptian (origin) artifact.
• Shape: A square (shape) glass (material) vase.
• Color: A yellow (color) plastic (material) bowl.
• Origin: A French (origin) silk (material) scarf.
• Material: A steel (material) folding (purpose) chair.
• Purpose: A gardening (purpose) tool.

 Exceptions and Special Cases

1. Irregular Adjective Placement While the OSASCOMP rule generally holds true, there are exceptions where adjectives may deviate from this order for emphasis or stylistic reasons. For instance:
• "She bought a gorgeous, antique necklace." (Opinion precedes age for emphasis)
• "He lives in a little, quaint cottage." (Size precedes opinion for stylistic effect)
2. Adjective Placement with Compound Nouns In compound nouns (nouns composed of two or more words), adjectives usually precede the first noun. For example:
• "A greenhouse (color + purpose) is used for growing plants."
• "She bought a whiteboard (color + material) for her classroom."

 4. Practice Exercises

Q 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the adjectives given in parentheses.

1. The ___________ (tall) building in the city offers a stunning view from its rooftop.
2. She is known for her ___________ (kind) heart and ___________ (generous) spirit.
3. The ___________ (old) book on the shelf has been passed down through generations.
4. He gave an ___________ (exciting) speech I've ever heard.
5. My dog is the ___________ (playful) of all the pets in the neighborhood.

Answers

1. The tallest building in the city offers a stunning view from its rooftop.
2. She is known for her kind heart and generous spirit.
3. The old book on the shelf has been passed down through generations.
4. He gave the most exciting speech I've ever heard.
5. My dog is the most playful of all the pets in the neighborhood.

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Q2 Rewrite each sentence, replacing the underlined adjectives with a synonym or alternative adjective.

1. She wore a beautiful dress to the party.
2. The old man sat quietly on the bench.
3. It was a big mistake to trust him.
4. The happy children played in the park.
5. The dark clouds signaled an approaching storm.

Answers

1. She wore a gorgeous dress to the party.
2. The elderly man sat quietly on the bench.
3. It was a huge mistake to trust him.
4. The joyful children played in the park.
5. The gloomy clouds signaled an approaching storm.

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Q3 Rewrite the sentences using the correct comparative or superlative form of the adjectives given in parentheses.

1. The mountain is high. (higher)
2. She is young. (younger)
3. This is the good cake I've ever tasted. (best)
4. The weather is hot today. (hotter)
5. The movie was scary. (scariest)

Part 3: Answers

1. The mountain is higher than the hill.
2. She is younger than her sister.
3. This is the best cake I've ever tasted.
4. The weather is hotter today than yesterday.
5. The movie was the scariest I've ever seen.