SlideShare a Scribd company logo
Adjectives have inflections. That is, adjectives change in spelling according to how they are used in a sentence.
Adjectives have three forms: positive, comparative, and superlative.
The simplest form of the adjective is its positive form. When two objects or persons are being compared, the comparative form of
the adjective is used. When three or more things are being compared, we use the adjective’s superlative form.
A few adjectives, like good and bad form their comparatives with different words:
That is a good book. This is a better book. Which of the three is the best book?
He made a bad choice. She made a worse choice. They made the worst choice of all.
The comparative forms of most adjectives, however, are formed by adding the suffixes -er and -est, or by placing the words more
and most in front of the positive form.
RULES FOR FORMING COMPARATIVES:
1. One syllable words form the comparative by adding -er and -est:
brave, braver, bravest
small, smaller, smallest
dark, darker, darkest.
2. Two-syllable words that end in -y, -le, and -er form the comparative by adding -er and -est:
pretty, prettier, prettiest
happy, happier, happiest
noble, nobler, noblest
clever, cleverer, cleverest
3. Words of more than two syllables form the comparative with more and most:
beautiful, more beautiful, most beautiful.
resonant, more resonant, most resonant
4. Past participles used as adjectives form the comparative with more and most:
crooked, broken, damaged, defeated, etc.
5. Predicate adjectives (adjectives used to describe the subject of a sentence) form the comparative with more and most:
afraid, mute, certain, alone, silent, etc.
Ex. She is afraid. He is more afraid. They are the most afraid of them all.
So far, so good, but when it comes to two-syllable words other than the ones covered by Rule 2, the writer must consider custom
and ease of pronunciation.
Usually, two syllable words that have the accent on the first syllable form the comparative by adding -erand -est.
Ex. common, cruel, pleasant, quiet.
BUT tasteless, more tasteless, most tasteless.
Some two-syllable words that have the accent on the second syllable form the comparative by adding -erand -est: polite, profound,
BUT: bizarre, more bizarre, most bizarre.
The rules given above should prevent abominations like “more pretty” or “beautifuler.” When in doubt, look up the preferred inflected
forms in the dictionary.

More Related Content

What's hot

Comparative adjectives
Comparative adjectivesComparative adjectives
Comparative adjectives
Milagros Puyen
 
Parallel constr notes powerpoint
Parallel constr notes powerpointParallel constr notes powerpoint
Parallel constr notes powerpoint
ktyndall
 
Correlative conjuctions
Correlative conjuctionsCorrelative conjuctions
Correlative conjuctions
antaresian
 
The Basics: Punctuation, Capitalization, and Numbers in Academic Writing
The Basics: Punctuation, Capitalization, and Numbers in Academic WritingThe Basics: Punctuation, Capitalization, and Numbers in Academic Writing
The Basics: Punctuation, Capitalization, and Numbers in Academic Writing
Ottawa University
 
French comparatives and superlatives
French comparatives and superlativesFrench comparatives and superlatives
French comparatives and superlatives
Talk in French
 

What's hot (20)

Comparative & Superlative Adverbs
Comparative & Superlative AdverbsComparative & Superlative Adverbs
Comparative & Superlative Adverbs
 
Comparative adjectives
Comparative adjectivesComparative adjectives
Comparative adjectives
 
Parallel constr notes powerpoint
Parallel constr notes powerpointParallel constr notes powerpoint
Parallel constr notes powerpoint
 
The Basics: Punctuation, Capitalization, and Numbers
The Basics: Punctuation, Capitalization, and NumbersThe Basics: Punctuation, Capitalization, and Numbers
The Basics: Punctuation, Capitalization, and Numbers
 
Conjuctions
ConjuctionsConjuctions
Conjuctions
 
Adjectives Unit 4
Adjectives Unit 4Adjectives Unit 4
Adjectives Unit 4
 
Antonyms
AntonymsAntonyms
Antonyms
 
Comparing adverbs
Comparing adverbsComparing adverbs
Comparing adverbs
 
Correlative conjuctions
Correlative conjuctionsCorrelative conjuctions
Correlative conjuctions
 
Conjuctions
ConjuctionsConjuctions
Conjuctions
 
Conjunctions
ConjunctionsConjunctions
Conjunctions
 
Comparatives grammar guide
Comparatives grammar guideComparatives grammar guide
Comparatives grammar guide
 
Ppt.fig. of speech
Ppt.fig. of speechPpt.fig. of speech
Ppt.fig. of speech
 
The Basics: Punctuation, Capitalization, and Numbers in Academic Writing
The Basics: Punctuation, Capitalization, and Numbers in Academic WritingThe Basics: Punctuation, Capitalization, and Numbers in Academic Writing
The Basics: Punctuation, Capitalization, and Numbers in Academic Writing
 
Comparatives and superlatives + Modifying comparisons
Comparatives and superlatives + Modifying comparisonsComparatives and superlatives + Modifying comparisons
Comparatives and superlatives + Modifying comparisons
 
Parallel structure
Parallel structureParallel structure
Parallel structure
 
French comparatives and superlatives
French comparatives and superlativesFrench comparatives and superlatives
French comparatives and superlatives
 
Comparatives and superlatives
Comparatives and superlativesComparatives and superlatives
Comparatives and superlatives
 
Comparatives
ComparativesComparatives
Comparatives
 
Adjectives of comparison & adverbs of comparison
Adjectives of comparison & adverbs of comparisonAdjectives of comparison & adverbs of comparison
Adjectives of comparison & adverbs of comparison
 

Similar to Adjectives have inflections

101409411 adjectives-used-in-comparisons-part-1
101409411 adjectives-used-in-comparisons-part-1101409411 adjectives-used-in-comparisons-part-1
101409411 adjectives-used-in-comparisons-part-1
Anh Mai Nguyen
 
Morphology Handout.pdf
Morphology Handout.pdfMorphology Handout.pdf
Morphology Handout.pdf
ArslanRaees
 
Pronoun Agreement & Reference
Pronoun Agreement & ReferencePronoun Agreement & Reference
Pronoun Agreement & Reference
professorgriffith
 
Comparative and superlative
Comparative and superlativeComparative and superlative
Comparative and superlative
Nadia Espinosa
 
Adjectives ppt
Adjectives pptAdjectives ppt
Adjectives ppt
antonieva
 

Similar to Adjectives have inflections (20)

Adjectives & adverbs
Adjectives & adverbsAdjectives & adverbs
Adjectives & adverbs
 
Adjectives
AdjectivesAdjectives
Adjectives
 
Engleza
EnglezaEngleza
Engleza
 
Adjectives, adverbs and clauses vinod
Adjectives, adverbs and clauses  vinodAdjectives, adverbs and clauses  vinod
Adjectives, adverbs and clauses vinod
 
BASIC GRAMMAR RULES (1).pdf
BASIC GRAMMAR RULES (1).pdfBASIC GRAMMAR RULES (1).pdf
BASIC GRAMMAR RULES (1).pdf
 
Comparative and superlative of adjectives
Comparative and superlative of adjectivesComparative and superlative of adjectives
Comparative and superlative of adjectives
 
101409411 adjectives-used-in-comparisons-part-1
101409411 adjectives-used-in-comparisons-part-1101409411 adjectives-used-in-comparisons-part-1
101409411 adjectives-used-in-comparisons-part-1
 
How to write good and correct English?
How to write good and correct English?How to write good and correct English?
How to write good and correct English?
 
Morphology Handout.pdf
Morphology Handout.pdfMorphology Handout.pdf
Morphology Handout.pdf
 
Types of Morpheme Presentation
Types of Morpheme PresentationTypes of Morpheme Presentation
Types of Morpheme Presentation
 
Pronoun Agreement & Reference
Pronoun Agreement & ReferencePronoun Agreement & Reference
Pronoun Agreement & Reference
 
Adjective Usage and Examples
Adjective Usage and ExamplesAdjective Usage and Examples
Adjective Usage and Examples
 
PartsofSpeechinEnglishGrammar.docx
PartsofSpeechinEnglishGrammar.docxPartsofSpeechinEnglishGrammar.docx
PartsofSpeechinEnglishGrammar.docx
 
Comparative and superlative
Comparative and superlativeComparative and superlative
Comparative and superlative
 
Adjectives.pdf
Adjectives.pdfAdjectives.pdf
Adjectives.pdf
 
Comparatives and superlatives
Comparatives and superlativesComparatives and superlatives
Comparatives and superlatives
 
Adjectives ppt
Adjectives pptAdjectives ppt
Adjectives ppt
 
Morphology Dr Sabri alkatib
Morphology Dr Sabri alkatib Morphology Dr Sabri alkatib
Morphology Dr Sabri alkatib
 
THE DIMENSIONS OF MEANING.pptx
THE DIMENSIONS OF MEANING.pptxTHE DIMENSIONS OF MEANING.pptx
THE DIMENSIONS OF MEANING.pptx
 
Comparatives and superlatives
Comparatives and superlativesComparatives and superlatives
Comparatives and superlatives
 

Recently uploaded

Accounting and finance exit exam 2016 E.C.pdf
Accounting and finance exit exam 2016 E.C.pdfAccounting and finance exit exam 2016 E.C.pdf
Accounting and finance exit exam 2016 E.C.pdf
YibeltalNibretu
 

Recently uploaded (20)

Forest and Wildlife Resources Class 10 Free Study Material PDF
Forest and Wildlife Resources Class 10 Free Study Material PDFForest and Wildlife Resources Class 10 Free Study Material PDF
Forest and Wildlife Resources Class 10 Free Study Material PDF
 
The Benefits and Challenges of Open Educational Resources
The Benefits and Challenges of Open Educational ResourcesThe Benefits and Challenges of Open Educational Resources
The Benefits and Challenges of Open Educational Resources
 
NCERT Solutions Power Sharing Class 10 Notes pdf
NCERT Solutions Power Sharing Class 10 Notes pdfNCERT Solutions Power Sharing Class 10 Notes pdf
NCERT Solutions Power Sharing Class 10 Notes pdf
 
How to Create Map Views in the Odoo 17 ERP
How to Create Map Views in the Odoo 17 ERPHow to Create Map Views in the Odoo 17 ERP
How to Create Map Views in the Odoo 17 ERP
 
Sha'Carri Richardson Presentation 202345
Sha'Carri Richardson Presentation 202345Sha'Carri Richardson Presentation 202345
Sha'Carri Richardson Presentation 202345
 
Accounting and finance exit exam 2016 E.C.pdf
Accounting and finance exit exam 2016 E.C.pdfAccounting and finance exit exam 2016 E.C.pdf
Accounting and finance exit exam 2016 E.C.pdf
 
[GDSC YCCE] Build with AI Online Presentation
[GDSC YCCE] Build with AI Online Presentation[GDSC YCCE] Build with AI Online Presentation
[GDSC YCCE] Build with AI Online Presentation
 
Mattingly "AI & Prompt Design: Limitations and Solutions with LLMs"
Mattingly "AI & Prompt Design: Limitations and Solutions with LLMs"Mattingly "AI & Prompt Design: Limitations and Solutions with LLMs"
Mattingly "AI & Prompt Design: Limitations and Solutions with LLMs"
 
MARUTI SUZUKI- A Successful Joint Venture in India.pptx
MARUTI SUZUKI- A Successful Joint Venture in India.pptxMARUTI SUZUKI- A Successful Joint Venture in India.pptx
MARUTI SUZUKI- A Successful Joint Venture in India.pptx
 
GIÁO ÁN DẠY THÊM (KẾ HOẠCH BÀI BUỔI 2) - TIẾNG ANH 8 GLOBAL SUCCESS (2 CỘT) N...
GIÁO ÁN DẠY THÊM (KẾ HOẠCH BÀI BUỔI 2) - TIẾNG ANH 8 GLOBAL SUCCESS (2 CỘT) N...GIÁO ÁN DẠY THÊM (KẾ HOẠCH BÀI BUỔI 2) - TIẾNG ANH 8 GLOBAL SUCCESS (2 CỘT) N...
GIÁO ÁN DẠY THÊM (KẾ HOẠCH BÀI BUỔI 2) - TIẾNG ANH 8 GLOBAL SUCCESS (2 CỘT) N...
 
Application of Matrices in real life. Presentation on application of matrices
Application of Matrices in real life. Presentation on application of matricesApplication of Matrices in real life. Presentation on application of matrices
Application of Matrices in real life. Presentation on application of matrices
 
PART A. Introduction to Costumer Service
PART A. Introduction to Costumer ServicePART A. Introduction to Costumer Service
PART A. Introduction to Costumer Service
 
2024_Student Session 2_ Set Plan Preparation.pptx
2024_Student Session 2_ Set Plan Preparation.pptx2024_Student Session 2_ Set Plan Preparation.pptx
2024_Student Session 2_ Set Plan Preparation.pptx
 
Fish and Chips - have they had their chips
Fish and Chips - have they had their chipsFish and Chips - have they had their chips
Fish and Chips - have they had their chips
 
Gyanartha SciBizTech Quiz slideshare.pptx
Gyanartha SciBizTech Quiz slideshare.pptxGyanartha SciBizTech Quiz slideshare.pptx
Gyanartha SciBizTech Quiz slideshare.pptx
 
Benefits and Challenges of Using Open Educational Resources
Benefits and Challenges of Using Open Educational ResourcesBenefits and Challenges of Using Open Educational Resources
Benefits and Challenges of Using Open Educational Resources
 
Introduction to Quality Improvement Essentials
Introduction to Quality Improvement EssentialsIntroduction to Quality Improvement Essentials
Introduction to Quality Improvement Essentials
 
The Art Pastor's Guide to Sabbath | Steve Thomason
The Art Pastor's Guide to Sabbath | Steve ThomasonThe Art Pastor's Guide to Sabbath | Steve Thomason
The Art Pastor's Guide to Sabbath | Steve Thomason
 
Students, digital devices and success - Andreas Schleicher - 27 May 2024..pptx
Students, digital devices and success - Andreas Schleicher - 27 May 2024..pptxStudents, digital devices and success - Andreas Schleicher - 27 May 2024..pptx
Students, digital devices and success - Andreas Schleicher - 27 May 2024..pptx
 
Operations Management - Book1.p - Dr. Abdulfatah A. Salem
Operations Management - Book1.p  - Dr. Abdulfatah A. SalemOperations Management - Book1.p  - Dr. Abdulfatah A. Salem
Operations Management - Book1.p - Dr. Abdulfatah A. Salem
 

Adjectives have inflections

  • 1. Adjectives have inflections. That is, adjectives change in spelling according to how they are used in a sentence. Adjectives have three forms: positive, comparative, and superlative. The simplest form of the adjective is its positive form. When two objects or persons are being compared, the comparative form of the adjective is used. When three or more things are being compared, we use the adjective’s superlative form. A few adjectives, like good and bad form their comparatives with different words: That is a good book. This is a better book. Which of the three is the best book? He made a bad choice. She made a worse choice. They made the worst choice of all. The comparative forms of most adjectives, however, are formed by adding the suffixes -er and -est, or by placing the words more and most in front of the positive form. RULES FOR FORMING COMPARATIVES: 1. One syllable words form the comparative by adding -er and -est: brave, braver, bravest small, smaller, smallest dark, darker, darkest. 2. Two-syllable words that end in -y, -le, and -er form the comparative by adding -er and -est: pretty, prettier, prettiest happy, happier, happiest noble, nobler, noblest clever, cleverer, cleverest 3. Words of more than two syllables form the comparative with more and most: beautiful, more beautiful, most beautiful. resonant, more resonant, most resonant 4. Past participles used as adjectives form the comparative with more and most: crooked, broken, damaged, defeated, etc. 5. Predicate adjectives (adjectives used to describe the subject of a sentence) form the comparative with more and most: afraid, mute, certain, alone, silent, etc. Ex. She is afraid. He is more afraid. They are the most afraid of them all. So far, so good, but when it comes to two-syllable words other than the ones covered by Rule 2, the writer must consider custom and ease of pronunciation. Usually, two syllable words that have the accent on the first syllable form the comparative by adding -erand -est. Ex. common, cruel, pleasant, quiet. BUT tasteless, more tasteless, most tasteless. Some two-syllable words that have the accent on the second syllable form the comparative by adding -erand -est: polite, profound, BUT: bizarre, more bizarre, most bizarre. The rules given above should prevent abominations like “more pretty” or “beautifuler.” When in doubt, look up the preferred inflected forms in the dictionary.