Making comparisons is a major function of adjectives. There are two aspects to this: gradability, and the comparative See the glossary definition and superlative degree. Adjectives which are capable of showing degrees of comparison (which can be modified by adverbs) are known as gradable See the glossary definition adjectives. Most adjectives are gradable.

Examples of Gradability

• Each of the different wavelengths is refracted by a slightly adverb different adjective amount noun. (Rawlings 2022)

• Orangutans are very adverb slow adjective breeders noun. (Meijaard, Voigt, and Wich 2018)

• Because jellyfish are 95% water, they are extremely adverb sensitive predicative adjective to their surroundings adjective complement. (Beach 2023)

Some adjective are not gradable. These include adjectives which describe absolutes such as "infinite", and most classifiers (e.g. additional, external, main, single). They may be modified by other (non degree) adverbs.

• So Latin isn’t really non-degree adverb dead adjective — it evolved into these modern languages. (Manns and Burridge 2020)

Adjectives which are gradable can also show the comparative and superlative degree.

The Comparative and Superlative Degree

Adjectives which are gradable can also show the comparative See the glossary definition and superlative See the glossary definition degree. These are marked by inflection See the glossary definition (-er, -est) or by adverbs (more, most). Most short gradable adjectives use inflection but longer adjectives use adverbs.

Examples

• The heavier comparative adjective elementsnoun, like iron and nickel, sank into the centre of the planet (the core). (Tostevin 2019)

Adjectives ending in "-y" change the "-y" into "-i": heavy - heavier - heaviest .




• The biggest comparative adjective huddles noun ever observed had about 5,000 penguins! (Younger 2019)

Adjectives ending in a single final consonant preceded by a vowel is doubled: big - bigger - biggest .




• Print is easier predicative adjective (comparative) on the eyes. (Baron 2016)

Adjectives of two syllables ending in -y are usually in inflected for degree: easy - easier - easiest




• Australia has the deadliest superlative adjective (inflected) snakes noun in the world. (Nimmo, Michael, and Wassens 2020)

Adjective ending in -ly take both inflection and degree adverbs. This example uses inflection "deadliest" : deadly - deadlier - deadliest.




• Australia has the most animals with the most superlative degree adverb deadly adjective venom noun phrase head. (Gentle 2020)

Adjective ending in -ly take both inflection and degree adverbs. This example uses the degree adverb "most".




• Real life tends to be moredegree adverb challengingadjective (predicative participial adjective). (Velez 2021)

Participial adjectives (formed with -ed and -ing), adjectives longer than two syllables, and adjectives ending in -al, -ful, -ive, -les, and -ous usually use degree adverbs. This is an example of a participial adjective.

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