Positive Degree of Comparison- Definition, Uses and Examples

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Updated: Feb 4, 2025

Lesson

Lesson Overview

What Is the Positive Degree of Comparison?
Rules for Using the Positive Degree of Comparison
Difference Between Positive, Comparative, and Superlative Degrees
Examples of Positive Degree in Sentences

In English, adjectives and adverbs change their form to show different levels of comparison. This helps us describe qualities in a way that makes sense in different situations.

Understanding how words change in comparison makes communication more effective. It helps us describe things accurately and express ideas in a structured way.

What Is the Positive Degree of Comparison?

The positive degree of comparison refers to the basic form of an adjective or adverb that describes a characteristic or quality of a person, thing, or idea. It does not compare this quality to anything else.

For example, in the sentence, "She is kind," the adjective "kind" is in the positive degree, simply describing her without comparing her kindness to anyone else.

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Degree of Comparison: Grammar Quiz

Rules for Using the Positive Degree of Comparison

When using the positive degree of comparison, remember that it represents the base form of an adjective or adverb without making a direct comparison between two or more things.

This degree is commonly used in sentence structures like SVC (Subject-Verb-Complement), SVCA (Subject-Verb-Complement-Adverbial), SVA (Subject-Verb-Adverbial), SVOC (Subject-Verb-Object-Complement), and ASVC (Adverbial-Subject-Verb-Complement). It helps describe qualities in a simple, direct way.

For example:

The water is cold.
Rohan speaks fluently.
My bag is heavy.

Another way to use the positive degree is in comparisons with as…as to show similarity or difference.

For example:

This book is as interesting as that one.
She is not as patient as her sister.

This structure allows us to express equality or a lack of it in a clear and structured manner.

For example, in the sentence, "She is kind," the adjective "kind" is in the positive degree, simply describing her without comparing her kindness to anyone else.

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The degrees of comparison of adjectives

Difference Between Positive, Comparative, and Superlative Degrees

Adjectives and adverbs have three forms – positive, comparative, and superlative – that allow us to express different levels of comparison. Let's explore these degrees:

Degree	Function	Formation	Example (adjective)	Example (adverb)
Positive	Describes without comparison	Basic form of the adjective or adverb	The tree is tall.	He runs quickly.
Comparative	Compares two things	Add -er/-est or use more/most before the adjective/adverb	This tree is taller than that one.	She runs more quickly than him.
Superlative	Compares three or more things to identify the extreme (most/least)	Add -est or use most/least before the adjective/adverb	This is the tallest tree in the forest.	He runs the most quickly in the class.