English Grammar: Comparatives and Superlatives

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Questions and Answers

What is the purpose of adjectives in a sentence?

To provide quantity only

To compare two or more nouns (correct)

To provide material only

To describe a person or thing

What is the correct order for cumulative adjectives?

Colour, material, size, quantity

Material, size, quantity, colour

Size, colour, material, quantity

Quantity, size, colour, material (correct)

What degree of adjective compares one person or thing to another?

Positive

Descriptive

Comparative (correct)

Superlative

How do we form the comparative and superlative for adjectives with one or two syllables?

By adding -er and -est Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the superlative degree?

To compare three or more people, animals, or objects to one another Signup and view all the answers

Which sentence uses a comparative degree?

She is smarter than her brother. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a cumulative adjective?

A small blue plastic plate Signup and view all the answers

What is the positive degree of an adjective?

The degree that simply describes one person or thing Signup and view all the answers

What is an adjective used to describe?

People, objects, events, substances, and ideas Signup and view all the answers

How are cumulative adjectives arranged?

Without commas and in a specific order Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the adjective 'happy' in the sentence 'The happy dog is playing'?

To describe a noun Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between 'cumulative' and 'coordinate' adjectives?

Coordinate adjectives are used without commas and are from the same category, while cumulative adjectives are used with commas and are from different categories Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences uses cumulative adjectives?

Two fluffy cats slept on my lap Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of an adjective in a sentence?

To describe a noun or pronoun Signup and view all the answers

How can you change the order of coordinate adjectives?

You can change the order of coordinate adjectives, as they are from the same category Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct order of cumulative adjectives?

By quantity, opinion, size, age, shape, color, material, purpose, and proper adjectives Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Adjectives

A word used to describe nouns such as people, objects, events, substances, and ideas
Can be formed by adding a prefix to an existing adjective or a suffix to a noun or verb
Examples: happy -> unhappy, boss -> bossy, lounge -> lovely

Using Adjectives

Can be used between an article and a noun: "the big tree"
Can be used after linking verb: "the flower is beautiful"
Can be used after a noun or indefinite pronoun: "I haven't met anyone nice here"

Types of Adjectives

Cumulative Adjectives: used without commas and in a specific order: quantity, opinion, size or measurement, age, shape, color, proper adjective, material, purpose
Coordinate Adjectives: usually from the same category, used in any order with a comma between them

Cumulative Adjectives

Example: "I like charming, tall French men" (cumulative adjectives in order)
Example: "I have six tiny young mice" (cumulative adjectives in order)

Coordinate Adjectives

Example: "that hard-working, talented writer is speaking tomorrow" (coordinate adjectives, can change order)
Example: "we are looking for a smart, experienced, independent teacher" (coordinate adjectives, can change order)

Comparatives and Superlatives

Adjectives have three degrees: positive, comparative, and superlative
Positive: simply describes one person or thing
Comparative: compares one person, animal, or object to another (used to compare two nouns only)
Superlative: compares three or more people, animals, or objects to one another

Forming Comparatives and Superlatives

For adjectives with one or two syllables, add "-er" and "-est" to form comparative and superlative respectively
Examples: sweet -> sweeter -> sweetest, pink -> pinker -> pinkest

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Description

Learn about comparatives and superlatives in English grammar, building on previous lessons about adjectives, nouns, and verbs. Review how to form adjectives and dive into new concepts.