This document outlines the rules for using degrees of comparison in English grammar. It discusses the positive, comparative, and superlative forms of adjectives and adverbs. Three types of comparison structures are presented, along with examples of each. Rules are provided for the positive degree (e.g. as + adjective + as), comparative degree (e.g. more + adjective + than), and superlative degree (e.g. most + adjective). Exercises with questions and answers are included to illustrate the different types of comparative structures.

1. DEGREES OF COMPARISON

2. EXERCISE 1 - QUESTIONS
1. Shakespeare was greater than any other dramatist of
England. (S)
2. Trichy is not so big as Chennai. (C)
3. The train runs faster than the bus. (P )
4. India is as powerful as China.
5. Mala is not so intelligent as Kala.
6. Our house is as big as yours.
7. Lion is the most majestic animal.
8. Akbar was one of the greatest rulers of India.
9. Very few poets in India were as famous as Kalidoss.
10. No other gas is so light as hydrogen.

3. Exercise 1 - Answers

4. EXERCISE 2 - QUESTIONS
1. The lotus is as lovely as the rose.
2. Arjun does not work so hard as Raju.
3. I cannot jump higher than John.
4. No other boy in my class is so brave as Peter.
5. Australia is larger than any other island in the world.
6. Iron is the most useful metal.
7. Aluminium is one of the cheapest metals.
8. Very few diseases are as bad as Malaria.
9. Charan is not more brilliant than Mohan.
10. Sheela is one of the most intelligent girls of my class.

5. EXERCISE 2 - ANSWERS

6. TYPE
POSITIVE DEGREE
I
a) S1 + Verb + as +
Pos. Deg. + as + S2
RULES
SUPERLATIVE
DEGREE
S2 + Verb + not +
Comp. Deg. + than
+ S1
NO SUPERLATIVE
DEGREE
b) S1 + Verb + not
S2 + Verb + Comp.
so + Pos. Deg. + as + Deg. + than + S1
S2
II
COMPARATIVE
DEGREE
NO SUPERLATIVE
DEGREE
No other +S1 + Verb S2 + Verb + Comp.
+ so + Pos. Deg. + as Deg. + than any
+ S2
other + S1
S2 + Verb + the +
Sup. Deg. + S1
S2 + Verb + Comp.
Deg. + than all
other + S1
III
Very few +S1 +
S2 + Verb + Comp.
are/were + as + Pos. Deg. + than
Deg. + as + S2
many/most other +
S1
S2 + Verb + of all +
Plural of S1
S2 + Verb + one of
the + Sup. Deg. + S1