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Degrees of comparison compare the relational value of one thing to another. Read further to know the various comparison degrees and their usage in English Grammar.

Degrees Of Comparison

Comparing two things is the most common way of taking decisions. Grocery shopping involves comparing similar products of different brands or even different packaging of the same products; this phenomenon is even extended to humans when we compare height, weight, nature, looks or other general aspects of one person with another. The ground rule for comparison however, is the context. And the context and setting of the comparison is what makes for the degrees of comparison in English grammar. In proper terms, degrees of comparison are used to compare one person with another or one thing with another. The words in this concept take the form of adjectives and adverbs and their degree depends upon how many things are being compared and how. Comparison involves the usage of words like more, lesser, taller etc. As is obvious, practically anything, ranging from physical attributes to abstract emotions, can be compared using these degrees of comparison. If this intro has got you wondering how complicated comparison degrees are then take a look further and see the concept unfold in front of your eyes.

Comparison Degrees
There are mainly three types of degrees of comparison namely:
Comparison Rules & Tips
While comparing most adjectives, we add '-er' and '-est' at the end of the original adjectives to make the word comparative and superlative.

For example:
If an adjective ends with consonant followed by 'y', then the 'y' is changed to '-i' and is then followed by '-er' for comparative degree and '-est' for superlative.

For example:
Add 'more' or 'less' in front of the long adjectives, i.e. the ones with two or more syllables, to express the degree of comparison

For example:
In case of irregular adjectives, these above rules do not apply. Examples below sseek to offer a clear understanding of the irregular adjectives:
Positive Degree Of Comparison
The positive degree is the most basic and the simplest degree of comparison. It does not relate to any superior or inferior quality of any other thing. The positive form is the basic form which denotes just the existence of the quality in the thing. Adjectives in positive degree are used when there is no need of any comparison or and comparison required in the sentence. They are used merely to say or describe the quality in question. It is merely a fact stated using a very basic non-comparative language and terms. Positive degree is used when there is just one thing to be described or talk about and nothing to compare it with.

The examples under this can be:
Comparative Degree Of Comparison
Comparative degrees help in comparing two different things or two sets of things. It denotes that one thing displays a greater amount of a quality compared to something else. We generally use both positive degree and comparative degree when we compare two things with each other. The comparative degree of an adjective expresses a high degree of the quality than that present in the positive degree.

The examples under this can be:
Superlative Degree Of Comparison
Superlative degree exists to explain the last degree where the thing is question far exceeds all other in the quality in question. In this form, comparisons are drawn between more than two things and one of them is considered higher than all other. It can be used for a comparison between things, animals or persons to point out the particular highest degree of that quality.

The examples under this can be:
Comparisons are important in every walk of life and while people say that these are not always in everybody's best interests, there is no denying that knowing how to express these comparisons goes a long way in cementing your hold on the English language.