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| {{Mergeto|Comparative|date=August 2007}} | {{Mergeto|Comparative|date=August 2007}} | ||
| The '''degree of comparison''' of an adjective describes the relational value of an adjective or adjectival expression. An adjective may simply describe a quality (]); may compare the quality to that of another of its kind (]); may compare the quality to many or all others (]); or may describe it as having a very large degree of a quality (in Semitic linguistics, called an ]). | |||
| The '''three degrees of comparison''' refers to the ], ], and ]. | |||
| The degree of comparison may be expressed synthetically, through ], or analytically, through ]. In English, for example, most monosyllabic and some disyllabic adjectives have morphological degrees of comparison: ''green'' (absolute), ''greener'' (comparative), ''greenest'' (superlative); ''pretty'', ''prettier'', ''prettiest''; while most polysyllabic adjectives use syntax: ''complex'', ''more complex'', ''most complex''. | |||
| The absolute refers to the most basic form of the adjective, absolute because it exists without being relative to another term. In the case of the adjective '']'', ''tall'' would be the absolute form of the adjective. In the case of the adjective '']'', ''enjoyable'' is the absolute form of the adjective. | |||
| The absolute degree is the most basic form of the adjective, absolute because it does not describe a quality in relation to the qualities of others. | |||
| The comparative form of the adjective is used to refer to the subject of the adjective relative to something else. For example, in the phrase, “He is taller than his father,” '']'' is the comparative form of the adjective tall. In the case of the adjective ''enjoyable,'' ''more enjoyable'' is the comparative form of the adjective. | |||
| The comparative degree denotes a greater amount of a quality relative to something else. The phrase “Anna is taller than her father” means that Anna's degree of tallness is greater than her father's degree of tallness. | |||
| The superlative form of the adjective is usually used to refer to the subject of the adjective as being the most extreme of three or more items being compared. (It is disputed whether to use the superlative there always have to be more than two items being compared.) In the phrase, “He is the tallest member of his family,” '']'' is the superlative form of the adjective. In the case of the adjective ''enjoyable'', ''the most enjoyable'' is the superlative form of the adjective. | |||
| The superlative degree denotes the largest quality among a group, or among all things of a certain kind. | |||
| ==In various languages== | |||
| ==English usage== | |||
| Traditional English grammar uses the comparative form when comparing exactly two things, and the superlative when comparing three or more, but in informal usage this may not hold. | |||
| == Rhetorical use of unbalanced comparatives == | == Rhetorical use of unbalanced comparatives == | ||
Revision as of 23:47, 15 September 2007
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged into Comparative. (Discuss) Proposed since August 2007. |
The degree of comparison of an adjective describes the relational value of an adjective or adjectival expression. An adjective may simply describe a quality (absolute degree); may compare the quality to that of another of its kind (comparative); may compare the quality to many or all others (superlative); or may describe it as having a very large degree of a quality (in Semitic linguistics, called an elative).
The degree of comparison may be expressed synthetically, through morphology, or analytically, through syntax. In English, for example, most monosyllabic and some disyllabic adjectives have morphological degrees of comparison: green (absolute), greener (comparative), greenest (superlative); pretty, prettier, prettiest; while most polysyllabic adjectives use syntax: complex, more complex, most complex.
The absolute degree is the most basic form of the adjective, absolute because it does not describe a quality in relation to the qualities of others.
The comparative degree denotes a greater amount of a quality relative to something else. The phrase “Anna is taller than her father” means that Anna's degree of tallness is greater than her father's degree of tallness.
The superlative degree denotes the largest quality among a group, or among all things of a certain kind.
In various languages
English usage
Traditional English grammar uses the comparative form when comparing exactly two things, and the superlative when comparing three or more, but in informal usage this may not hold.
Rhetorical use of unbalanced comparatives
In some contexts, such as advertising or political speeches, absolute and relative comparatives are intentionally employed in a way that invites a comparison, and yet the basis of comparison is not established. This is a common rhetorical device used to create an implication of significance where one may not actually be present. Although such usage is common, it is sometimes considered ungrammatical.
For example:
- Always!
- Why pay more?
- We work harder.
- We sell for less!