Degrees of Adjectives Test: Check Comparative and Superlative Forms
Quick, free comparative and superlative quiz. Instant results.
This quiz helps you practice degrees of adjectives by choosing the correct comparative and superlative forms and catching common mistakes. For targeted review, work through superlative questions, then build wider skills with an adjective practice test, or check tricky look-alikes in an adjective or adverb quiz.
Study Outcomes
- Understand Degrees of Adjectives -
Differentiate between the positive, comparative, and superlative forms of adjectives to master degrees of adjectives in English.
- Identify Comparative Adjectives -
Spot and select the correct comparative form in adj questions, improving accuracy in a comparative adjectives test setting.
- Recognize Superlative Forms -
Pinpoint superlative adjective questions and apply the right endings or modifiers to express the highest degree.
- Apply Adjective Degree Practice -
Convert adjectives between positive, comparative, and superlative forms to reinforce your adjective degree practice.
- Assess Quiz Performance -
Track your score and identify areas for improvement, ensuring you can confidently tackle more challenging degrees of adjectives exercises.
Cheat Sheet
- Understanding the Three Degrees -
The degrees of adjectives consist of the positive, comparative, and superlative forms, which help to express basic description, comparison, and highest degree respectively. For example, "small - smaller - smallest" clearly shows how an adjective can adapt across contexts (Purdue OWL). Grasping this core structure is crucial in any adjective degree practice.
- Forming Comparative Adjectives -
One-syllable adjectives typically take "-er" (e.g., tall → taller), while two-syllable adjectives ending in "-y" swap it for "-ier" (e.g., happy → happier) as noted by Cambridge Dictionary. Polysyllabic adjectives use "more" before the adjective (e.g., more important), a key tip for comparative adjectives test questions. Remember the mnemonic "Y to I, then -er" to avoid common mistakes.
- Crafting Superlative Adjectives -
For one-syllable adjectives add "-est" (big → biggest) and replace "-y" with "-iest" for two-syllable words ending in "-y" (busy → busiest), per Oxford University guidelines. Longer adjectives take "most" (most comfortable), so in superlative adjective questions you'll know when to switch to "most." Watch for double consonants in one-syllable words - e.g., "hot" becomes "hottest."
- Mastering Irregular Forms -
Certain adjectives don't follow standard rules: good → better → best, bad → worse → worst, and far → further → furthest (Merriam-Webster). A handy memory trick is the sequence "G-B-B" for good and "B-W-W" for bad to ace irregular adj questions. Familiarizing yourself with these patterns boosts confidence in any degrees of adjectives quiz.
- Spotting Non-Gradable Adjectives -
Absolute or non-gradable adjectives like dead, perfect, and unique don't take comparative or superlative forms; you wouldn't say "deader" or "perfectest" (British Council). Instead, intensifiers such as "absolutely" or "totally" convey emphasis (e.g., absolutely unique). Recognizing these exceptions ensures accuracy in your adjective degree practice.
