Definition of Degrees of Comparison

17 Based on the statements above, it can be concluded that an adjective is a word which has function to modify a noun or pronoun. According to C. E. Eckersley ’s definition, “adjectives are words that tell us what a thing is like: words that we add to a noun to make our meaning fuller or more exact, e.g. a good book, a fast train, six boys, my friends ”. 5 Martin Parrot states on his book Grammar for English Language Teacher that adjective is often called „describing words’ because they provide information about the qualities of something described in a noun, a noun phrase, or clause. 6 For Examples: A noun : An old film A noun phrase : An interesting experience for everyone Clause : It is unbelievable that we have not seen each other for so long. From the definitions above, the writer infers that adjective is a word used to describe or give more information about a noun or pronoun. In other words, adjective is a describing word in a noun, a noun phrase, or clause. Adjectives in English have the same form for singular and plural, masculine and feminine. The only exceptions are the demonstrative adjectives “thisthat”, which change to “thesethose” in the plural.

2. Degrees of Comparison

Before discussing about the kinds and forms of degrees of comparison, firstly it is better to know about the definition of degrees of comparison. And there are some definitions about degrees of comparison according to some experts of English language.

a. Definition of Degrees of Comparison

To get the general understanding about degrees of comparison, it is better to describe what comparison is. One of the most basic and powerful of human cognitive process is the ability to comprehend and express the fact that two things are similar or different. Often such similarity or difference is expressed in terms of 5 C. E. Eckersley, Essential English for Foreign Student, London: Longmas Green Co London, 1957, p. 34. 6 Martin Parrott, Grammar for English language Teachers, UK: Cambridge University press, 2000, first ed, p. 18. 17 degree, extent, or quantity. 7 Therefore, comparison is the most important English construction which is used to express similarities or differences of degree or extent. “Degrees of Comparison of an adjective or adverb describes the relational value of one thing with something in another clause of a sentence. An adjective may simply describe a same quality the positive; it may compare the quality with that of another of its kind comparative degree; and it may compare the quality with many or all others superlative degree .” 8 According to Martin Parrot in Grammar for English Language Teachers, “comparatives are adjectives and adverbs that end in –er. e.g. bigger, richer, faster and superlatives are adjectives adverbs that end in – est. e.g. biggest, richest, fastest” 9 “The degrees of comparison are known as the positive, the comparative, and the superlative. Actually, only the comparative and superlative show degrees. We use the comparative for comparing two things and the superlative for comparing three or more things.” 10 Based on the definitions stated above, the writer infers that comparison is a process of comparing people, things, or places through the level of quality, quantity, or relation. It is formed from adjective and adverb. But this study is only focused on comparison of adjectives. Therefore, comparison of adjective describes the relational value of an adjective or adjectival expression. Comparison of adjective is the modification of an adjective to denote different level of quality, quantity or relation. Examples: a. Clara is as tall as my friend. b. Your computer is more expensive than mine. c. Tamina is the cleverest student in my class. 7 Marianne Celce-Murcia and Dianne Larsen-Freeman, The Grammar Book. An ESL EFL Teacher’s Course. 2 nd ed, USA: Heinle Heinle Publishers, Inc, 1999, p. 717. 8 http:en.wikipedia.orgwikiDegrees_of_comparison 9 Martin Parrot, Grammar for English Language Teachers, USA: Cambridge University Press, 2000, p. 68. 10 http:grammar.ccc.commnet.edugrammaradjectives.htm 17 There are three kinds of degrees of comparison in English: positive, comparative and superlative degree. Each kind has different form and usage. The explanation of those three kinds of degrees of comparison will clearly discussed as follows:

b. Kinds and the Usage of Degrees of Comparison