Bad simple superlative. Three degrees of comparison of adjectives in English: rules of formation, examples

Adjectives and adverbs in many languages ​​of the world have degrees of comparison. In English these are Positive Degree, Comparative Degree and Superlative degree, in Polish - rywny, wyższy, najwyższy, in French - le positif, le comparatif, le superlatif. The Russian language is no exception; it has positive, comparative and superlative adjectives. How are they different and what are their forms?

Degrees of comparison: types, table

Adjectives and adverbs derived from them have the ability to form degrees of comparison.

There are three of them:

• Positive.
• Comparative.
• Excellent.

Each of them expresses a different level of possession of an object or a specific specific quality.

For example: resourceful boy ( positive), however he can be more resourceful ( comparative), and in a certain life situation, even become the most resourceful ( excellent).

From which adjectives can we form degrees of comparison?

As you know, all adjectives in the Russian language are divided into several categories.

• Qualitative - means characteristics that an object or living creature can possess in different degrees: sweet, sweeter, sweetest.
• Relative - they call the signs of an object or living creature according to their relation to circumstances, actions or other persons, things: a telephone call, a wooden building.
• Possessive - indicate that something belongs to someone: Pushkin’s stanza, father’s parting words.

Only from the first category can the comparative and superlative degrees of adjectives be formed (charming - more charming, the most charming), since it is impossible to say: “a more wooden building” or “the most Pushkin stanza.”

Adverbs that come from the qualitative category of adjectives can also form degrees of comparison: cheerful - cheerfully (more cheerfully).

Comparative degree of adjectives in Russian

Before moving on to consider the comparative degree, it is worth mentioning a little about the positive degree. This is the name given to the initial degree of comparison (boring). In fact, it is considered only formally as a degree of comparison. But the next one is the comparative degree of the adjective (more boring, more boring). It serves to show that a certain object or person has a given quality in greater/lesser quantity than someone/something else. For example: “This tea is stronger (stronger) than the one we drank yesterday.”

Information about comparative forms

In the above example, you can see that the comparative degree in Russian can be formed in the following ways: using suffixes or by adding an additional word (in this example it is “more”). It turns out that we can distinguish 2 forms of the comparative degree of adjectives in the Russian language: simple and compound, or as it is sometimes called - complex.

Methods for forming a simple shape

There are several ways to form it.

• Using the suffixes -ee, -ey, -e, -she, added to the base: cheerful - more cheerful. However, it is worth remembering that if suffixes of the comparative degree of adjectives -e, -she are used, then alternation of consonants in the root of the word may occur, and the suffixes -k, -ok, -ek may be eliminated altogether. For example: narrow - narrower, ringing - louder.
• Sometimes a simple form can be formed by adding the same -ee, -ey, -e, -she, as well as the prefix po-. For example: soon - quickly, quickly - quickly. Adjectives formed in this way are usually the province of colloquial speech.
• Sometimes the comparative degree of adjectives in Russian is formed using a different word stem: bad - worse.

It is worth remembering that not every qualitative adjective can form a simple form. It so happened historically that it is simply impossible to form it from some words. For example, from adjectives such as “grand” or “businesslike”. After all, you can’t say: “grower” or “more businesslike.”

Unlike the positive, the simple comparative degree has no ending and does not change. For example, the adjective “light” changes according to gender and number: “light”, “light”, “light”, etc. In addition, it is declined according to cases. But the comparative degree of the adjective - “lighter” - is unchanged.

In this form, words, as a rule, perform the syntactic role of a predicate: “Words of love are sweeter than honey,” and in some cases they serve as definitions: “Make sweeter jam.”

Complex shape

Unlike the simple one, it is formed not with the help of suffixes or prefixes, but by adding the words “more” or “less” to the adjective in the positive degree. For example: “Rembrandt was a more brilliant artist than most of his contemporaries, but he was truly appreciated years after his death.”

Adjectives in complex form are declined by case, change by number and, accordingly, by gender, while “more” and “less” remain unchanged. For example: more powerful (powerful, powerful, powerful).

Both in simple and compound form, comparative adjectives in a sentence serve as predicates or modifiers: “Their relationship was closer and more elevated than that of anyone around them.”

Having considered the information about the comparative degree, it is now worth moving on to studying the superlative degree. And it will help you not to forget how the comparative degree of adjectives is formed - the table.

It briefly outlines all the information about simple and complex forms and their formation.

Brief information about superlatives

It serves to demonstrate that a certain object or living being is absolutely superior to any other in a certain quality, which is represented in it to the highest degree.

For example: “The third little pig’s house was the strongest and the wolf could not destroy it.”

A little about superlatives

Knowledge of how simple and complex comparative degrees of adjectives are formed will help you understand this topic. In the case of the superlative degree, both of its forms have similar names: simple and compound (complex) and are formed according to the corresponding principle.

They are formed according to the same principle:

• The simple one is formed by adding the suffixes -eysh, -aysh to the stem: caring - caring. Similar to the comparative, the superlative may also lose the stem suffix -k: low, lowest. A word formed using a simple superlative form is declined according to cases and changes according to numbers and genders. While the comparative degree of an adjective in a simple form is devoid of this property. For example: “light”. As mentioned above, in comparative form it is invariably “lighter”. But in the superlative degree - “brightest”, it can change: “brightest”, “brightest”.
• The compound form is formed by adding the words "most", "least" or "most" ("most", "most", "most") to the adjective in the positive degree. For example: the brightest, the least entertaining, the funniest. In some cases, the comparative degree of the adjective plus the word “all” may also participate in the formation. For example: “This girl completed the task faster than anyone in the class.” As with the comparative form, the superlative adjective changes according to the same categories. And the additional words: “most” or “least” remain unchanged: “The wolf ran the shortest route to Grandma’s house and got ahead of Little Red Riding Hood.” However, “most” also changes: “The wolf ran the shortest route to Grandma’s house and got ahead of Little Red Riding Hood.”

As for the syntactic role, adjectives in this degree, as a rule, act as predicates: “A most amazing journey.” Less often - definitions: “It was a story about an amazing journey.” And in complex form, they most often serve as definitions: “He was smarter than everyone else at school.”

Superlative and comparative degrees of adjectives: exercises to consolidate knowledge

To better remember all the material presented, you should practice by doing a few fairly simple exercises.

The topic of comparative degrees of adjectives itself is quite easy. However, in order to avoid mistakes, it is worth remembering the basic rules, especially since in most European languages ​​adjectives also have 3 degrees of comparison. Therefore, having figured out what they are in Russian, you can safely take on the study of the grammar of foreign languages.

Adjective [ˈadʒɪktɪv] or adjective in English is a part of speech that denotes a characteristic of an object/person/phenomenon. Perhaps, after the verb and noun, it is the most used of all tenses. According to their meaning, adjectives are divided into relative and qualitative. The latter differ in that they can vary in degree of comparison. Degrees of comparison of adjectives in English are formed according to certain rules, which will be discussed today.

There are three degrees of comparison of adjectives in English. All of them are similar to Russian degrees, and therefore this topic should not be taken seriously. Let's look at each degree separately, examining its features, education and methods of use.

Positive degree [ˈpɒzɪtɪv dɪˈɡriː] or positive degree is the easiest. The English language has simplified your task, and therefore there is no need to obtain this degree. You just need to take an English adjective in its simple dictionary form and use the word in a sentence. Since when we use an adjective in this form we are not comparing it with anything, the positive degree is often considered separately, outside the topic of comparison. In any case, you need to know about it. Examples of positive degrees:

But for comparison, comparative and superlative degrees are used. There are more nuances in these degrees that need to be examined in more detail.

Comparative degree of adjectives in English

Comparative degree or comparative degree is used to compare the characteristics / attributes of two or more objects and persons. Perhaps such an explanation did not clarify anything for you, but this topic is characteristic of both the English language and the Russian language, so if you compare this form with the Russian comparative degree everything will become much clearer:

We are sure that you no longer have any questions regarding what a comparative degree is. But how do you create this degree in English? For this, two comparative forms are used:

1. If a word consists of one or two syllables, it has a comparative ending –er:

However, when adding –er, you need to take into account certain nuances:

• If the adjective ends in –e, this letter is omitted:

• But the ending –y changes to –i:

Exceptions are words that have a vowel before –y:

1. If the adjective has three or more syllables, the degree is formed by adding the words more (more) and less (less):

Degrees of comparison of adjectives in English - superlative adjectives

Superlative degree or superlative form in English is used to show that some object or person, in comparison with others, is “the very best,” that is, superior to all others. The superlative form is also compared with Russian adjectives in the same degree. Eg:

There are also two options for forming this form of the adjective. Each of them is preceded by a definite, since superlative adjectives imply a specific, special object or person:

1. The ending –est is added to an adjective with one or two syllables:

Please note that the rules for appending endings also apply to this form.

1. If an adjective has 3 or more syllables, then the words (the) most (most) and (the) least (least) are added to it:

Despite the rules, some two-syllable adjectives in comparative and superlative forms, however, can be formed with both –er / –est and more – less / most – least. For example, these include words such as:

Preference is now increasingly given to the forms more / less and most / least.

There are also three-syllable exception adjectives that form degrees with –er and –est. These include words that, with the help of prefixes, change the original meaning of a short adjective to the opposite. For example, adjectives: happy (happy) - unhappy (unhappy), tidy (tidy) - untidy (untidy), kind (kind) - unkind (unkind), lucky (lucky) - unlucky (unsuccessful), safe (reliable) - unsafe (unreliable):

In addition, there are exception words, all 3 forms of which are significantly different from each other and do not obey standard formation, just like English irregular verbs. These words of the English language just need to be remembered. Study them in the table:

Compound adjectives in English that contain the above exceptions can be constructed in both ways:

The first option, however, is more preferable.

In other cases, compound adjectives use the second method of forming the comparative and superlative degrees:

Using the degree of comparison of adjectives in English

We talked about the rules for forming degrees, all that remains is to understand how to use these adjectives in sentences.

• When using English comparative adjectives in a sentence, use the conjunction than to introduce the comparison. Examples:

You can add the adverb rather to the sentence, or rather to the word more. Rather more is usually used for comparison in the sense of “better... rather than...” or “better... than...”:

Sometimes the subject being compared may be omitted if the context implies it, or if the speaker knows that the interlocutor will understand it. Example sentences:

If you want to emphasize that the first person/object is much (much) better, more beautiful, etc., the sentence should contain the word much, which is placed before the degree:

Study the following table with examples:

The comparative degree is also used in three constructions:

1. The comparative degree, the comparative degree. In simple language, this construction is similar to the sentences “than..., so...”. Table with examples for clarity:

1. More positive degree than positive degree. An analogue is the phrase “rather than... than.” This design is possible when we compare the characteristics of the same object/person.

1. You can also use “more than” in a row without adding words between them. This construction means “more than.” These two words can be followed by an adjective and/or a noun, both of which are acceptable:

• For superlatives, no additional conjunctions are needed. Such adjectives are used in a sentence as a standard instead of the positive degree:

As in the Russian language, in such sentences the option is not “most”, but “one of the most”:

Two degrees of comparison can fit in one sentence:

Today we looked at the features of degrees of comparison of adjectives in English. Once you remember the rules for their formation, you will be able to use these degrees in speech without any difficulty. In order to consolidate the material, return to the article, review the tables with examples and make up your own sentences. And most importantly, have fun studying English, because if you are interested in the process, English grammar will be much faster and easier for you.

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Standards for using degrees of comparison of adjectives.

1. It is completely unacceptable to use two ways of expressing comparison at the same time: the words more/less or most/most in combination with an adjective in the comparative or superlative degree. Incorrect: more beautiful, heavier, calmest. The exception is forms: the best, the worst.
2. Not all qualitative adjectives are capable of forming degrees of comparison using appropriate suffixes. Words do not form such forms:
immortal, brilliant, near, fighting, sick (about a person), stormy, upper, eternal, possible, strong-willed, outstanding, heroic, deaf (about a person), naked, proud, long-standing, distant, businesslike, cruel, familiar, oblique, short, crooked (about a person), dead (not alive), peaceful, powerful, unknown, lower, general, excellent, advanced, positive, last, permanent, similar, right (fair, containing truth), empty (about a container: nothing not filled), developed, early, ragged, timid, blind, controversial, urgent, predatory, gloomy, colorful, young, etc.
Some of these adjectives cannot be used comparatively due to the specificity of their meaning (for example, one cannot be more or less immortal, more or less naked). Others could theoretically form a comparative degree, but due to their formal characteristics they do not have such a form or have a rarely used form. In the latter case, in informal speech in some combinations you can use a descriptive way of expressing the degree of comparison: more strong-willed, more businesslike, more cruel.
3. It is possible for an adjective to have several meanings belonging to different categories. Thus, a relative adjective can develop a meaning characteristic of qualitative ones (for example: iron part (relative) - iron will (quality) - metaphorical transfer). Possessives may have meanings characteristic of relative and qualitative ones (for example: fox hole (possessive) - fox hat (relative) - fox habits (qualitative). Qualitative adjectives, used terminologically, function as relative (voiceless consonants). In this case, the adjective retains the type of its declension, but often changes its morphological characteristics: qualitative ones lose their degrees of comparison and short form (for example, it is impossible to say *This consonant is deaf), and relative ones, on the contrary, can acquire these characteristics( With every word his voice became more and more honeyed, and his habits became more and more foxy. .)

Degrees of comparison of adverbs

Ways to distinguish between adverbs and adjectives in the simple comparative form

“Qualitative adjectives, in contrast to relative adjectives, form degrees of comparison: comparative and superlative... The adjective in comparative degree names a quality characteristic of a given object (or objects) to a greater extent than to some other object or objects, or to a greater extent than the object itself possesses, had or will have this quality in other conditions or at another time” Grammar – 1960, vol. 1, p. 289.

« Category of degree of comparison for adjectives, this is an inflectional morphological category formed by two rows of forms opposed to each other with morphological meanings positive and comparative degrees... The forms of the comparative degree (comparative) contain a morphological meaning indicating a greater – compared to anything – degree of the attribute: more cheerful, stronger, sweeter, harder; the weather was beautiful, more more beautiful, than before (Turg.)" Russian grammar – 1980, vol. 1, p. 547.

The question of degrees of comparison of qualitative adjectives in linguisticliterature. A qualitative feature can be presented to a greater or lesser extent, with greater or lesser intensity. To express this meaning, qualitative adjectives in Russian have special forms. How many degrees of comparison are there and what are they? How should one treat the so-called analytical degrees of comparison? These questions do not have a clear answer. Let's look at some of them.

1. There are 3 degrees of comparison (positive, comparative and superlative). This point of view was widespread in the 19th century, then it was reflected in the grammars of E.M. Galkina-Fedoruk and N.M. Shansky, A.N. Tikhonov.

2. Most linguists currently distinguish 2 degrees of comparison: comparative and superlative (V.V. Vinogradov, A.N. Gvozdev, D.E. Rosenthal, school textbook, etc.). The positive degree is not included in their composition because it does not express any comparison, but only states the presence of a certain quality.

Russian Grammar-1980 also distinguishes 2 degrees of comparison, but others: positive and superlative. In this case, the traditionally identified analytical forms of degrees of comparison are not considered. Some linguists do not distinguish superlatives. The arguments put forward by scientists who deny the existence of superlative degrees of comparison of adjectives are as follows.

1. Synthetic forms on -aysh-, -eysh- often referred to as a high degree of quality without comparison with the quality of other items ( By autumn, delicious grapes ripen on these slopes).

2. Since not all qualitative adjectives have synthetic forms of the superlative degree, that is, they are formed irregularly, it is believed that in this case it is not formation, but word formation (new words are formed that are equated in word-formation significance to lexemes with suffixes of subjective assessment) .

But, firstly, many superlative adjectives express the highest degree of quality in comparison with the corresponding quality of other objects (on what grounds can they be denied the right to qualify as a superlative adjective?); secondly, the absence of superlative forms in a small part of adjectives cannot be considered a sufficient reason for not highlighting the superlative degree.

The question of analytical forms of degrees of comparison also has different interpretations.

We will distinguish 2 degrees of comparison: comparative and superlative. Each of them can be synthetic (one-word) and analytical (composite, complex).

comparative

synthetic: smoother, quieter; be quieter;

analytical: smoother, quieter.

Superlative

synthetic: smoothest, quietest;

analytical: the smoothest, quietest; most (least) smooth, quiet; smoothest, quietest of all (all).

Comparative degree (comparative) . Comparative adjectives mean: 1) a characteristic that can be represented to a greater extent in one object than in another; 2) a feature that can be present in the same object to varying degrees at different times.

The synthetic form of the comparative degree is formed from the base of the original form of the adjective by adding suffixes -her (colloquial version -ey), -e, -she. The most productive is the suffix -her: more beautiful, whiter, sharper, sweeter, more affectionate. Non-productive suffix -e joins the stem with a final consonant g, k, x, d, t, v, st; in this case, the named consonants alternate with others: G– and (strict - stricter); To– h (light - lighter; consonant -To- and its variant -OK-, which are suffixes of the derived stem of the original word, may drop out: narrow - narrower, rare - less frequent, tall - higher); X– w(dry - drier); d– and (young - younger); T– h (cool - cooler); V– ow (cheap - cheaper); st– sch (thick - thicker) . Suffix -she is part of several forms of comparative degree: more, less, better, thinner, further, longer, earlier, older. The comparative degree of adjectives can have the prefix By-: better, more comfortable, softer, whiter. Some adjectives form a synthetic degree of comparison suppletive: bad is worse, small is less, good is better.

Archaic forms are considered: bigger, smaller, better, worse, older, younger, worse. They have all the grammatical features of an adjective in the positive degree; they express comparison only in semantics. They have more common variants in modern Russian: more, less, better, worse, older, younger. Words worst And best can also be used in superlatives: best drawing,worst option.

Individual adjectives can have two forms of synthetic comparative degree: later and later. In negative turns, the comparative degree can take on the meaning of superlative: There was no one among usmore fun Oleg.

The syntactic forms of adjectives comparatively do not change in gender, number and case, and also do not agree with nouns and pronouns. In a sentence they act as a predicate.

The following qualitative adjectives do not form a synthetic comparative degree:

1) with suffix -sk-:friendly, childish, comic;

2) with suffix -ov-(-ev-): business, combat, advanced;

3) some adjectives denoting a permanent or temporary state; however, this symptom cannot manifest itself to a greater or lesser extent: deaf, naked, lame, dumb, single, sick, barefoot, bald;

4) adjectives denoting the colors of animals: dun, black, bay;

5) adjectives with the meaning of color; many of them retain connections with nouns: brown, cream, amber, fawn, orange, coffee, chocolate;

6) verbal adjectives with suffix -l-:emaciated, frantic;

7) adjectives with suffixes - onk-, -onk- (dry, sweet and etc.);

8) compound adjectives -ky, -hiy, -hiy (long-armed, hard of hearing).

Russian Grammar–1980 notes the rare use of synthetic comparative forms of adjectives gallant, outward, proud, malicious, scanty, idle, quarrelsome, controversial, vain, alien etc. t. 1, p. 563.

As a rule, adjectives in a figurative meaning often form not synthetic, but analytical forms of degrees of comparison. The analytical method allows you to form a comparative degree from those adjectives that do not have a synthetic form. The analytical form of the comparative degree is formed from qualitative adjectives, denoting a characteristic that can manifest itself to a greater or lesser extent, by attaching to the original form of the word more: more attractive, more pleasant. Compound (analytical) forms of the comparative degree can change according to gender, number, case, and be used as a determiner or component of the predicate. Comparative words are easily used with adjectives significantly, still, incomparably, much, slightly, twice, three times; type combinations twice.

Superlative . A superlative indicates the highest or lowest degree of quality in one subject compared to another, for example: Shortest the distance between two points is a straight line drawn between them.

Exists simple (synthetic) And complex (composite, analytical) superlative form. A simple superlative is formed by adding a productive suffix to the base form -eysh- and non-productive suffix -aysh- and is sometimes accompanied by truncation of the final consonants of the stem; suffix -aysh- used after g, k, x, which alternate with f, h, w: fastest, oldest, purest, softest, shortest, strictest.

In modern Russian, there are two main meanings of the superlative degree: relative highest (superlative) And absolute highest that is, the limiting degree ( elative). The meaning of the superlative is revealed in a context where a comparison of objects is assumed, one of which has a characteristic that is manifested in it to the greatest extent compared to other objects, for example : M. Sholokhov –most talented from Russian writers. Prepositions can serve as formal features of the superlative from, among, into, on (strongest in Ukraine,largest in area,the strictest from teachers,the hardest thing from exercises).

The elative meaning of the superlative degree manifests itself in an object without comparison with other objects and indicates that the attribute is inherent in the object to an absolute, extreme degree: the most active participation, the most humble person, the sweetest candies, the most magnificent weather, the most interesting book. Console nai-, which can be attached to the synthetic degree of adjectives, emphasizes the meaning of a relatively high degree of quality. Synonyms for elitative are words with prefixes times-, super-, arch-, ultra-: daring, super-powerful, arch-ancient, trendy. Many scientists do not include adjectives with an elative meaning in the category of degrees of comparison.

In the literature of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. There have been cases of using synthetic superlatives to express comparison: New and yetmost tender Andstrongest love than before(L.T.). This phenomenon is not typical of modern speech.

The synthetic superlative degree is not formed mainly from the same adjectives that do not have a synthetic comparative degree.

Analytical superlatives are formed by adding words to the original form most, most and adding words everything, everyone to the comparative form: the strongest, the kindest, the most valuable, the most used, the most joyful, the most hardworking of all. This form, like the synthetic one, has two meanings: elative ( the most ordinary) and superlative ( the hardest worker in the whole class).

Historians of the Russian language note an increasing trend in the formation and use of analytical forms of degrees of comparison. In some cases, as a result of the interaction of analytical and synthetic degrees of comparison, contamination units arise: This case– the rarest in my practice. But such facts are not the literary norm. A number of adjectives do not form synthetic superlative forms. These are basically the same words that do not form a comparative degree (see above), as well as some adjectives with the suffix -To-:narrow, sharp, timid, caustic; finite adjectives -To- root: flat, tart, clear; non-derivative basis: dear, tight, dry, long, young, proud; most adjectives with suffixes -chiv-, -ist-, -ovat-, -uch-: thoughtful, thoroughbred, impudent, shedding and etc.

A grammatical feature of qualitative adjectives is the presence of degrees of comparison.

Degree of comparison is a grammatical category of adjectives that expresses differences in the degree of manifestation of quality. For example: strong - stronger, stronger, less strong, strongest, most powerful, least strong, strongest, strongest of all, strongest of all.

There are 3 degrees of comparison of qualitative adjectives:

1) positive degree (positive),

2) comparative degree (comparative),

3) superlative degree (superlative).

Positive degree of comparison shows that a given feature of an object is not compared with a similar feature in another subject. The initial (initial) form of the adjective is considered as a positive degree, for example: fast, hospitable, carefree; stuffy, sad, light, petty, small, proud, decisive, brave, skillful, skillful, wonderful, charming, appropriate, instant.

comparative shows that a given feature of an object is manifested to a greater or lesser extent compared to a similar feature in another subject, for example: bolder, more daring, less daring; higher, higher, less tall.

The comparative degree serves as a means of comparison in quality:

Homogeneous items: This morning is cloudier than yesterday; the children's faces become happier when they see their mother;

- dissimilar objects with the same properties: melon is sweeter than watermelon; the son is taller than the father; sister younger than brother;

- the same subject: Before the session, students become more responsible and conscientious.

comparative is formed:

1) synthetically; suffixes are means of expressing the degree of comparison -ee- (-ey-), -e, -she-;

2) in an analytical way; means of expressing the degree of comparison are additional words more- less;

3) in a suppletive way; a means of expressing the degree of comparison is the change of bases: good - better, best; bad - worse, worse; small- less.

The comparative degree of an adjective has two forms: simple (synthetic) and compound (analytic).

Simple form of comparative degree

1) -ee(s): round- round-ee (round-ee); beautiful - beautiful-her (beautiful-her); long - long (long); extended - extended (extended);

2) -e, If:

a) the stem of the adjective ends in g, k, x, d, t,cm followed by alternation of the consonant stem: hot- hot; dear - dear; quiet- quiet; young-oh - younger; rich - rich; pure - purer;

b) the adjective has a suffix -k- (-ok-, -ek-) followed by truncation of the suffix and alternation of the consonant base: low - lower; narrow - narrow; high - higher; close - close;

3) -she if the adjective stem ends in g, k followed by truncation of these consonants: distant - farther; long - longer; thin-y - thin-she.

Forms of degrees of comparison on -ee(s), -e, -she By-, which brings the added value of mitigating the degree of dominance of quality; compare: more - more; more interesting - more interesting; more fun- more fun; closer- more crowded; heavier - heavier; tastier- tastier.

A number of adjectives have variant comparative forms: big - more, more; distant - further, further; long- longer, longer; late- later, later; early - earlier, earlier; small - less, smaller.

Not all qualitative adjectives form a simple comparative form.

These include:

1) adjectives with suffix -sk- (-esk-): comic, tragic, friendly, fraternal, sanctimonious;

2) some adjectives with suffix -n-: blood, tame, sick, early, extra;

3) adjectives with suffix -ov- (-ev-): gratuitous, business, ordinary, combat, mass;

4) many verbal adjectives with the suffix - l-: lethargic, rotten, tired, hoarse, hoarse;

5) some adjectives with a suffix -k-: unsteady, impudent, brittle, sticky, squishy, ​​timid, avid, tenacious, chilly;

6) some non-derivative adjectives: old, proud.

Complex comparative form is formed in all adjectives that name a characteristic that can manifest itself to a greater or lesser extent. It is formed by adding additional words to the positive degree more, less; For example: more important, less affectionate.

Superlative shows that a given feature of an object is manifested to the greatest or least extent compared to a similar feature in another subject, for example: Supreme; deepest; the brightest; the narrowest; least sweet; most interesting; smarter than everyone else.

Superlatives also have synthetic and analytical form.

Simple superlative form is formed from the base of the positive degree of the adjective by adding suffixes:

1) -eysh-: white - white-eysh-y; rich-y - rich-eysh-y; brave - bravest; wonderful - wonderful;

2)-aysh- to adjectives with stems g, k, x and followed by alternating consonants: high - high - aish, deep - deep - aish, quiet - tish - aish.

There are some features in the formation of superlatives:

Adjective heavy forms superlatives with alternating w//g And k//h: heavy - heaviest;

Adjectives close, low form a superlative by adding a suffix with truncation of the productive stem and subsequent alternation of consonants h// and: close - closest, low - lowest.

In modern Russian, the simple superlative form has two meanings:

1. Top quality value which is inherent in a person or subject and for which this subject stands out from a number of similar ones. In the form of the superlative degree there is an indication of the circle of persons or objects from which they stand out with the highest degree of quality. This indication usually occurs in:

In the form of R.p. plural with prepositions from, among: the greatest of scientists; the most delicious of fruits; strongest among peers;

In the form of R.p. without prepositions: the most beautiful city in Europe; the most famous museum in the world; the country's widest river;

IN form T.v. plural with a pretext between: the greatest among generals;

- in the form of P.p. with prepositions in, on: the highest mountain in the world; the deepest lake on earth; the most beautiful place on the board; the largest lake in Siberia.

The use of superlatives is possible without any restrictions: sweetest person; main character; strongest athlete.

2. The value of the maximum degree of quality is beyond comparison with other items, For example: Above the forest stood the gentle glow of the mountain range. Herbs are the surest remedy for colds.

Superlative forms in -eysh-, -aysh- can be combined with attachment nai-, which introduces an additional intensifying value, cf., for example: the most difficult - the most difficult; the strictest - the strictest; the most interesting - the most interesting; deepest- deepest; complete - most complete.

Adjectives big, high, low, good, bad form the following superlative forms: greater, higher, lower, better, worse.

Not all qualitative adjectives form the simple superlative form.

These include:

1) adjectives with suffix -sk-, -esk-: brotherly friendly, enemy, demonic, hellish, ugly;

2) some adjectives with a suffix -n-: native, efficient, bloody, quarrelsome, excessive;

The most charming, the most sensitive, the sweetest, the thickest, the least broad, the least funny. This method is productive even for those adjectives that do not have a simple superlative form, for example: the most friendly, the most combative, the most flexible, the most practical, the least friendly, the least flashy;

2) by adding words everyone Total to the simple form of the comparative degree of the adjective, for example: most important, dearest of all.

One should distinguish from forms of degrees of comparison words of subjective quality assessment, which combine the designation of a feature with the expression of the speaker’s assessment of it. Words of subjective quality assessment express an emotional assessment of the designated attribute or indicate its real greater or lesser degree.

The words of subjective quality assessment are expressed in the following forms:

1) in adjectives with suffixes -enk- (-onk-), -yoshenek- (-oshenek-), -yohonek- (-ohonek-), -yusenk-, For example: black, yellow, dry, white, happy, alone, tiny, thin;

2) in adjectives with suffixes -ushch- (-yusch-), -enn-: furious, huge, thin, fat, wide, tall;

3) in adjectives with prefixes arch-, pre-, times-, super-, ultra-: cheerful, arch-important, super-powerful, super-strong, super-cute, super-loud, ultra-modern;

4) in adjectives formed by pure or prefixal repetition: black-black, old-old; soft-soft; interesting-pretty interesting; tall-extreme.

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