+The _Positive degree_ expresses the simple quality+.

+The _Comparative degree_ expresses a greater or a less degree of the quality+.

+The _Superlative degree_ expresses the greatest or the least degree of the quality+.

+RULE.--Adjectives are regularly compared by adding _er_ to the positive to form the comparative, and _est_ to the positive to form the superlative+.

Adjectives of one syllable are _generally_ compared regularly; adjectives of two or more syllables are often compared by prefixing _more_ and _most_.

When there are two correct forms, choose the one that can be more easily p.r.o.nounced.

Compare the following adjectives. For the spelling, consult your dictionaries.

Model.--_Positive. Comparative. Superlative_.

Lovely, lovelier, loveliest; _or_ lovely, more lovely, most lovely.

Tame, warm, beautiful, brilliant, amiable, high, mad, greedy, pretty, hot.

Some adjectives are compared _irregularly_. Learn the following forms.

_Positive. Comparative. Superlative_.

Good, better, best.

Bad, | Evil, + worse, worst.

Ill, | Little, less, least.

Much, | Many, | more, most.

LESSON 88.

COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS.

+_Remember_+ that, when two things or groups of things are compared, the _comparative_ degree is commonly used; when more than two, the _superlative_ is employed.

+_Caution_+.--Adjectives should not be _doubly_ compared.

CORRECT THE FOLLOWING ERRORS.

Of all the boys, George is the more industrious.

Peter was older than the twelve apostles.

Which is the longer of the rivers of America?

This was the most unkindest cut of all.

He chose a more humbler part.

My hat is more handsomer than yours.

The younger of those three boys is the smarter.

Which is the more northerly, Maine, Oregon, or Minnesota?

+_Caution_+.--Do not use adjectives and adverbs extravagantly.

CORRECT THE FOLLOWING ERRORS.

The weather is horrid.

That dress is perfectly awful.

Your coat sits frightfully.

We had an awfully good time.

This is a tremendously hard lesson.

Harry is a mighty nice boy.

+_Remember_+ that adjectives whose meaning does not admit of different degrees cannot be compared; as, _every_, _universal_.

Use in the three different degrees such of the following adjectives as admit of comparison.

All, serene, excellent, immortal, first, two, total, infinite, three-legged, bright.

+_Adverbs_+ are compared in the same manner as adjectives. The following are compared regularly. Compare them.

Fast, often, soon, late, early.

In the preceding and in the following list, find words that may be used as adjectives.

The following are compared irregularly. Learn them.

_Pos. Comp. Sup. _ ----------- ---------- -------- Badly, Ill, worse, worst.

Well, better, best.

Little, less, least.

Much, more, most.

Far, farther, farthest.

Adverbs ending in _ly_ are generally compared by prefixing _more_ and _most_. Compare the following.

Firmly, gracefully, actively, easily.

+To the Teacher+.--Let the pupils select and pa.r.s.e all the adjectives and adverbs in Lesson 27. For forms, see p. 189. Select other exercises, and continue the work as long as it is profitable. See "Schemes" for review, p.

188.

REVIEW QUESTIONS.

How is a noun pa.r.s.ed? What modification have adjectives? What is comparison? How many degrees of comparison are there? Define each. How are adjectives regularly compared? Distinguish the uses of the comparative and the superlative degree. Give the directions for using adjectives and adverbs (Lesson 88). Ill.u.s.trate. What adjectives cannot be compared? How are adverbs compared?

LESSON 89.

MODIFICATION OF VERBS.

VOICE.