Unit 1.2
Adjective Comparative Degrees
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Introduction
The adjective [adjetivo] modifies the noun, indicating its characteristics or qualities.
There are three degrees of the adjective [grados del adjetivo]: positive, superlative and comparative.
The comparative degree can be one of superiority, inferiority and equality.
Form
The comparative degree is divided into comparative of superiority, comparative of inferiority and comparative of equality.
These differents degrees have their forms.
Comparative degree of supeirority
The comparative degree of superiority is formed with the adverb más (followed by the adjective) and que (followed by the second term of comparison) in the following way:
Más + adjective + que + noun/pronoun;
The second term of comparison can be a noun or a pronoun.
Comparative degree of inferiority
The comparative degree of inferiority is formed with the adverb menos (followed by the adjective) and que (followed by the second term of comparison) in the following way:
Menos + adjective + que + noun/pronoun;
The second term of comparison can be a noun or a pronoun.
Comparative degree of equality
The comparative degree of equality is formed with the adverb tan (followed by the adjective) and como (followed by the second term of comparison) in the following way:
Tan + adjective + como + noun/pronoun.
The second term of comparison can be a noun or a pronoun.
Latin cult comparatives:
There are also Latin cult comparatives, which do not use the adverbs mas o menos to form degrees of superiority and inferiority. The most frequent are:
- mejor (of superior quality);
- peor (lower quality);
- mayor (superior to something in quantity or quality, of superior age …);
- menor (inferior to something in quantity or quality, of inferior age …);
Example
Comparative degree:
- Después del ejercicio, un helado es más refrescante que el agua;
- Aquí el calor es más insoportable que el frío todo el tiempo;
- En Navidad, el turrón es tan común como el chocolate;
- Durante una obra de teatro, los aplausos son menos frecuentes que el silencio;
- En este momento, una cita previa es menos extraña que una visita espontánea.
Latin cult comparatives:
- Después del ejercicio, un helado es mejor que el agua;
- Aquí el calor es peor que el frío todo el tiempo;
- Durante una obra de teatro, el silencio es mayor que los aplausos;
- En este momento, las visitas espontáneas son menores que las citas previas.
Use
The comparative degree of the adjective is used to compare two or more people, animals, or things.
Summary
The adjective modifies the noun it accompanies, indicating its characteristics or qualities. In Spanish, there are three degrees of the adjective: positive, superlative, and comparative.
The comparative degree can be of superiority, inferiority and equality. The degree of superiorty is formed with the adverb more followed by than; the degree of inferiority is formed with the adverb less followed by than; while the degree of equality is formed with the adverb as followed by as. There are also Latin cult comparatves that have their forms.
For example:
— «Mi hermano es más alto que yo» = Mi hermano have a superior quality (height) to mine;
— «Mi hermano es tan alto como yo» = Mi hermano y yo have the same quality (height);
— «Mi hermano es mejor jugador que yo» = Mi hermano has a quality superior to mine;
— «Mi hermano es mayor que yo» = Mi hermano is older than me, superior quality (age).
Check the contents of the {Form} section. Then move on to the {Example} section, which shows you the usage in context.
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