Understanding Comparison of Modifiers How are modifiers used in comparisons? Comparison of modifiers Regular comparison Irregular comparison Double comparisons Review A Review B

How are modifiers used in comparisons? Did you ever play the game “20 Questions”? Is it bigger than a mouse? Is it smaller than an elephant?

How are modifiers used in comparisons? We often use comparisons to describe something unknown by comparing it to something known. One way we compare is by changing the forms of modifiers. A raccoon is smaller than an elephant but bigger than a mouse. A raccoon is smaller than an elephant.

Comparison of modifiers A modifier can have three different forms—positive, comparative, and superlative. These forms are called degrees of comparison. That’s a beautiful sunset! It’s the most beautiful sunset I’ve ever seen! It’s more beautiful than yesterday’s sunset. Comparative more beautiful Positive beautiful Superlative most beautiful

Comparison of modifiers Positive The positive degree is the basic form of the modifier. The Saint Bernard is a big dog. James swims fast.

Comparison of modifiers Comparative The comparative form compares a quality of one thing or action with a quality of another. Ray swam faster than James did. The dog on the left is bigger than the other dog.

Comparison of modifiers Comparative The comparative form is also used to compare one member of a group to all the other members of a group. Ray swam faster than any other team member. Ray swam faster than anyone else on the team. Be sure to include other or else when comparing one member with all the others in a group. We use it in this example because Ray can’t swim faster than himself.

Comparison of modifiers Superlative The superlative form is used when comparing more than two things or actions. Jacob was the fastest swimmer in the event. The yellow Lab is the biggest dog in the group.

Comparison of modifiers On Your Own Choose the correct modifier in each of the following sentences. 1. The last chapter was the (sadder, saddest) part of the whole book. 2. Sarah is (old, older) than Suzi. 3. Mom buys (fresh, fresher) produce at the market. 4. Have you seen Mary’s (beautiful, more beautiful) scarf? 5. My little brother makes up the (sillier, silliest) songs I’ve ever heard. [End of Section]

Regular comparison Most one-syllable modifiers form the comparative form by adding –er and the superlative form by adding –est. Positive young happy deep soon Comparative younger happier deeper sooner Superlative youngest happiest deepest soonest

Regular comparison Some two-syllable modifiers form the comparative degree by adding –er and the superlative by adding –est. Others use more and most. Positive wealthy ruined wisely hazy Comparative wealthier more ruined more wisely hazier Superlative wealthiest most ruined most wisely haziest

Regular comparison Some two-syllable modifiers can form their comparatives and superlatives either way. unkinder unkindest unkind more unkind most unkind If adding –er or –est makes a word sound awkward, use more and most. AWKWARD recent, recenter, recentest BETTER recent, more recent, most recent

Regular comparison If a modifier has three or more syllables, use more and most to form the comparative and superlative degrees. Positive beautifully important inventive predictably Comparative more beautifully more important more inventive more predictably Superlative most beautifully most important most inventive most predictably

Regular comparison Decreasing comparison More and –er and most and–est show increases. To show decreases in the quality a modifier expresses, use less and least. The main character is less interesting than the minor ones. The hero of the story is the least interesting character of all. [End of Section]

Irregular comparison The comparative and superlative degrees of some common modifiers are irregular in form. Positive Comparative Superlative bad worse worst badly good better best well much more most many little less least

Regular and irregular comparison On Your Own If the comparative or superlative form of a modifier is incorrect or awkward, write the correct form. If the form is correct, write C. 1. This flower is commonlier found in Iowa than in Ohio. 2. That shop sells the most good milkshakes of all. 3. Some days seem to pass slowlier than others. 4. My notebook looks worse than Josh’s. Tonight I will wear my colorfulest shirt. [End of Section]

Double comparisons Avoid double comparisons. Using both –er and more is incorrect. Using both –est and most is also incorrect. INCORRECT This banana is more riper than that one. INCORRECT That story was the most excitingest of all.

Double comparisons To correct a double comparison, first decide whether the comparative and superlative forms use –er and –est or more and most. more ripe? OR riper? This banana is more riper than that one. Ripe has 1 syllable. Add –er. most exciting? OR excitingest? That story was the most excitingest of all. Exciting has three syllables; use more or most. Then, delete the unnecessary part.

Double comparisons On Your Own Identify and correct the double comparison in each of the following sentences. 1. This project is more interestinger than the last one. 2. Our school has the bestest team spirit. 3. The owners of that store are more friendlier to students than they used to be. 4. Isn’t that the most greenest grass you’ve ever seen? This new light bulb gives a more naturaler light than the other one did. [End of Section]

Review A Complete each sentence by providing the correct degree of the modifier in parentheses. 1. Please tell me the __________ possible way to Room 42. (quick) 2. This song is __________ than the last one. (long) 3. You are behaving _______________ than you did when you were a child! (childishly) 4. Do you feel __________ today than you did yesterday? (well) 5. The smoke caused __________ damage than the fire did. (much)

Review B Identify and correct the errors in comparison in the following sentences. 1. This is the least tenderest steak I have ever eaten! 2. The dim tunnel seemed dangerouser than it had only a few minutes before. 3. Of all the personal stories we heard, Nora’s was the more fascinating. 4. I did more badly on this quiz than on the last one. 5. Nick’s family has many members than mine does. [End of Section]

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