Business English: A Practice Book by Rose Buhlig

the Eastern trip at the last moment. =Exercise 93--Comparison= Adjectives are compared so as to express different degrees of quality. There are three degrees of comparison, the _positive_, the _comparative_, and the _superlative_. When the object modified or described by the adjective is not compared with another, the first or _positive_ degree is used. When two objects are compared, the second or _comparative_ degree is used to denote more or less of the quality expressed by the adjective. When several objects are compared, the _superlative_ degree of the adjective is used to express the highest or the lowest possible degree of the adjective. The usual method of comparing an adjective is to add _er_ to the positive to form the comparative, and _est_ to form the superlative. Frequently, however, especially for an adjective of two or more syllables, the comparative is formed by prefixing _more_ or _less_ to the positive, and the superlative by prefixing _most_ or _least_. Besides the adjectives in these two classes there are some which do not follow any regular method and must, therefore, be watched a little more closely. The following table illustrates the different methods of comparison: _Positive_ _Comparative_ _Superlative_ bright brighter brightest dangerous more dangerous most dangerous beautiful more beautiful most beautiful good better best bad worse worst ill worse worst Be careful to avoid using a double sign for the comparative degree; as, _Wrong_: This writing is _more neater_ than yours. Some adverbs are also compared; as, _Positive_ _Comparative_ _Superlative_ well better best quickly more quickly most quickly Some adjectives and adverbs cannot be compared because the positive degree in itself expresses a complete or _absolute_ meaning; as, absolute,-ly eternal perfect sufficient circular extreme perpendicular supreme continual faultless perpetual unanimous dead full right unique decisive impossible round universal empty incurable square white Compare those of the following adjectives that may be compared. Explain why some do not admit of comparison. great spotless expensive wise tall dear parallel high desirable east old new honorable early exclusive blank =Exercise 94= In the following exercise, select the correct one of the two italicized forms. Remember that the comparative degree is used in comparing two objects, the superlative in comparing three or more.