Degree of comparison.
An adjective can exist in three forms – positive, comparative and superlative. The positive form is the base form of the adjective. The comparative form expresses a higher degree of some quality. The superlative form expresses the highest degree.
1. Raji is the richest woman in Mumbai.
Ans. Raji is richer than any other woman in Mumbai.
No other woman in Mumbai is as rich as Raji.
2. Reading is the best form of recreation.
Ans. Reading is better than any other form of recreation.
No other form of recreation is as good as reading.
3. Australia is the largest Island.
Ans. Australia is larger than many other Islands.
No other Island is as large as Australia.
4. Australia is one of the largest Islands.
Ans. Australia is larger than many other Islands.
Very few Islands are as large as Australia.
5. Books are the best source of knowledge.
Ans. Books are better than any other source of knowledge.
No other source of knowledge is as good as books.
6. Iron is stronger than many other metals.
Ans. Iron is one of the strongest metals.
Very few metals are as strong as Iron.
7. No one is as lazy as Raja.
Ans. Raja is lazier than any other.
Raja is the laziest of all.
8. The greatest lesson in life is learnt from children.
Ans. No other lesson in life is as great as the ones that are learnt from children.
9. I have never seen such a ferocious animal as this.
Ans. I have never seen an animal more ferocious than this one.
Note: - Whenever the comparison is made between two persons or things there does not exist with superlative degree.
1. Mango is sweeter than Apple.
Ans. Apple is not as sweet as Mango.
2. Mumbai is not leaner than Chennai.
Ans. Chennai is as clean as Mumbai.
3. March is not as hot as June.
Ans. June is hotter than March.
4. The rose smells as sweet as the lily.
Ans. The lily does not smell sweeter than the rose.
5. The rose smelled as sweet as the lily.
Ans. The lily did not smell sweeter than the rose.
6. The roses smell as sweet as the lilies.
The lilies do not smell sweeter than the rose.
7. I feel as scared as you do.
Ans. I don’t feel less scared than you.