Degrees of comparison of adjectives and adverbs

1. Degrees of comparison of adjectives and adverbs

DEGREES OF
COMPARISON
OF ADJECTIVES
AND ADVERBS

2. Short words (1 or 2 syllables)

Positive degree
Superlative degree
cold
clever
Comparative
degree
colder
cleverer
pretty
simple
gay
prettier
simpler
gayer
the pretties
the simplest
the gayest
the coldest
the cleverest

3. Long words (more than 2 syllables)

Positive degree
comfortable
interesting
modern
Comparative degree
more comfortable
more interesting
more modern
Superlative degree
the most comfortable
the most interesting
the most modern

4. Exceptions

Positive degree
old
Comparative
degree
better
worse
elder
little
much
far
less
more
further (abstract)
good
bad
Superlative degree
the best
the worst
the eldest (in a
family)
the least
the most

5. The… the… construction

The more you study, the more you learn. (Чем
больше вы учитесь, тем больше узнаете)
The longer the night, the shorter the day. (Чем
короче ночь, тем длиннее день).
The more interesting the book is, the faster you
read it. (Чем интереснее книга, тем быстрее вы
ее читаете).

6. As…as… construction

His job is as important as yours. (Его работа такая
же важна, как ваша).
This book is as interesting as that one. (Эта книга
такая же интересная, как и та).

7. Not so/as… as construction

Japan is not so big as Russia. (Япония не такая
большая, как Россия).
Industry in Russia develops not as rapidly as in
China. (Промышленность в Росси развивается не
так быстро, как в Китае)

8. As… as possible

This technique is to be developed as fast as
possible. (Эту технологию необходимо
разработать как можно скорее).
He’s looking for a flat as close to the subway as
possible. (Он ищет квартиру как можно ближе к
метро/настолько близко к метро, насколько это
возможно.

9. How to translate MOST?

This is the most exciting film I’ve ever seen. (Это
самый захватывающий фильм из всех, что я
видел).
Most people in the world attend schools.
(Большинство людей в мире ходит в школу).
This problem is most important. (Это проблема
крайне/очень/чрезвычайно важна).