Modifiers

Degrees of Comparison

Modifiers

Describes or limits the meaning of another word

Three degrees of comparison:Positive – compares nothingComparative – compares two thingsSuperlative – compares three or more things

Regular Comparisons

Most one-syllable modifiers form comparative and superlative by adding –er and –est

positive comparative superlative

Near Nearer Nearest

Brighter Brighter Brightest

Dry Drier Driest

Regular Comparisons

Some two-syllable modifiers add –er and -est Others add more and most

Positive Comparative Superlative

Simple Simpler Simplest

Healthy Healthier Healthiest

Clearly More clearly Most clearly

Often More often Most often

Regular Comparisons

Modifiers with three or more syllables add more and most

Positive Comparative Superlative

Important More important Most important

Creative More creative Most creative

Happily More happily Most happily

Decreasing Comparisons

In decreasing comparisons, form comparative and superlative degrees by adding less and least.

Positive Comparative Superlative

Safe Less safe Least safe

Expensive Less expensive Least expensive

Often Less often Least often

Irregular Comparisons

Some modifiers form their degrees irregularly:

Positive Comparative Superlative

Far Farther Farthest

Good Better Best

Well Better Best

Many More Most

Much More most

Using Modifiers in Sentences

Use comparative degree when comparing two things

Example:The second problem is harder than the first.My sister dances more gracefully than me.

Using Modifiers in Sentences

Use the superlative degree to compare three or more things

Examples:Mount Everest is the world’s highest

mountain peak.She is the most valuable player on our team.

Double Comparisons

Only use one method of forming a modifier.

Examples:A 6th grader is more smaller than an 8th

grader. (WRONG!)A 6th grader is smaller than an 8th grader.

(Right!)

Copy this chart and fill in the blanksPositive Comparative Superlative

Cold

Hot

Actively

Happy

Enormous