Chapter XLVI: Comparison of Adjectives

=172.= Since different objects may possess the same quality in different degrees, there must be some means of telling this. We do it by changing the form of adjectives. For instance, wool, snow, and feathers have the same quality of softness, but not in the same degree, so we say that wool is _soft_, snow is _softer_, and feathers are _softest_. This change in the adjective soft to denote the degree of softness is called =comparison=.

=173.= Comparison is a =property= of adjectives. There are three =degrees= of comparison,—the =positive=, the =comparative=, and the =superlative=.

The positive degree denotes the simple quality, the comparative degree denotes more or less of this quality, and the superlative denotes most or least of this quality. When we give the three forms of an adjective, we are said to =compare= it. We compare _bold_ by saying: positive, _bold_; comparative, _bolder_; superlative, _boldest_; or positive, _bold_; comparative, _less bold_; superlative, _least bold_.

=174.= Comparison is denoted in three ways:—

(1) By adding the suffixes _er_ and _est_. These are added to adjectives of one syllable, and to a few of two syllables; as, _fine_, _finer_, _finest_; _lovely_, _lovelier_, _loveliest_.

(2) By prefixing the adverbs _more_ and _most_. This method is used in comparing longer adjectives; as, _spacious_, _more spacious_, _most spacious_; _disagreeable_, _more disagreeable_, _most disagreeable_.

(3) By prefixing the adverbs _less_ and _least_; as, _rough_, _less_ _rough_, _least rough_; _elegant_; _less elegant_, _least elegant_. This is a mode of comparing adjectives on a descending scale instead of an ascending scale.

=175.= Some adjectives cannot be compared at all; as, _asleep_, _dead_, _correct_, _round_, _square_, _principal_. Instead of saying _rounder_, we may say _more nearly round_.

=176.= Some adjectives are compared irregularly. The following are examples:—

POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE

good better best
ill worse worst
bad worse worst
many more most
much more most
little less least
far farther _or_ further farthest _or_ furthest

=Summary.=—=Comparison= in an adjective is a change of form to express quality or quantity in different degrees.

There are three =degrees= of comparison,—=positive=, =comparative=, and =superlative=.

Short adjectives are compared by adding the suffixes _er_ and _est_.

Longer adjectives are compared by prefixing _more_ and _most_.

Many adjectives may be compared on a descending scale by prefixing _less_ and _least_.

=Exercise.=—Select all the adjectives, and tell the kind and the degree of each. Compare each adjective. If any cannot be compared, state that fact.

1. There was nothing in these woods bigger than a weasel.

2. The way led through the deepest and most perilous part of
the swamp.

3. This brother was younger and handsomer, and much more
amiable than William.

4. As she grew older, she became less exacting and more
tolerant, less certain and more hopeful, less vigorous in body,
but gentler in manner and sweeter in spirit.

5. The Hotel de Cluny is one of the quaintest, queerest,
pleasantest, and most homelike places we are likely to meet
with.

6. The other captive was of a more restless temperament,
slenderer in build, more eager and alert of eye, less
companionable of mood.

7. Least vague of all was the terror of the usually unterrified
weasel.

8. Those men are most apt to be obsequious and conciliating
abroad, who are under the discipline of shrews at home.

9. At the least flourish of a broomstick or a ladle, Wolf would
fly to the door with yelping precipitation.

10. The lynx was smaller than her mate, somewhat browner in
hue, leaner, and of a peculiarly malignant expression.

11. The women of the village used to employ Rip to do such
little odd jobs as their less obliging husbands would not do
for them.

12. The singing master’s hair was a little longer, his hands
were a little whiter, his shoes a little thinner, his manner a
trifle more polished than that of his soberer mates.

Tell the use of adjectives in sentences 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12.

=177.= Sometimes errors are made in the use of adjectives.

The comparative degree should be used in comparing two objects, the superlative in comparing more than two. If only two roads are open to us, we ought to say that we shall take the _shorter_.

=Exercise.=—Select the proper adjective for each of these sentences, and give your reasons:—

1. Which would be the (_cheapest_ or _cheaper_) route—by water
or by rail?

2. Prince is the (_swifter_ or _swiftest_) horse, but Pete is
the (_stronger_ or _strongest_).

3. Which is the (_higher_ or _highest_)—the Eiffel Tower or the
Washington Monument?

4. Of the two leading candidates, Wilson and Harmon, which is
(_more likely_ or _most likely_) to be nominated?

Sometimes an ill-chosen adjective is used after the verb _feel_. The sentence, “I feel _good_,” is correct only when it means “I feel righteous,” while “I feel _well_,” means “I am in good health.” In this sentence _well_ is an adjective meaning the opposite of _sick_.

NOTE.—We also have the adverb _well_, denoting manner, as in
the sentence, “LaFollette spoke _well_.”

The sentence, “Rufus looks _good_,” is correct when we mean that Rufus looks as if he were a good man; but we should say, “Rufus looks _well_ (not _good_) in gray.” Here _well_ is an adjective meaning pleasing or acceptable.

The limiting adjectives _this_ and _these_ should not be followed by the word _here_. We point out sufficiently when we say _this book_, _these books_.

The personal pronoun _them_ should never be used for the limiting adjective _those_. We should say _those horses_, _those wagons_, _those tents_.

If we modify a noun by the limiting adjective _each_, _every_, _either_, _neither_, or _no_, we must use a singular pronoun to represent that noun; as,—

Each man took _his_ appointed place.

Every girl made _her_ own costume.

Neither man lost _his_ job.

=Exercise.=—Supply the correct pronoun in each of these sentences:—

NOTE.—The masculine pronoun should be used when there is no
word in the sentence that indicates whether the male or the
female sex is referred to.

1. Everybody came and brought —— appetite.

2. Each lady contributed whatever —— chose.

3. No young person can afford to waste —— time.

4. Neither doctor will give —— assistance.

5. No day is without —— disappointments.

6. If either man calls, tell —— that I am busy.

7. Every girl in the class said that —— did not understand the
lesson.

8. Every boy wishes that —— might be president.

9. No soldier acknowledged that —— was afraid.

10. Neither chair is in —— place.