Chapter 6
Adjectives
THEORY
1. Kinds of Adjectives
| Kind | Function | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Quality (Descriptive) | Tells the kind/quality | a brave soldier, red rose |
| Quantity | How much (uncountable) | some milk, much water, little time |
| Number (Numeral) | How many (countable) | five boys, many books, first prize |
| Demonstrative | Points out | this book, those men |
| Distributive | One at a time | each, every, either, neither |
| Interrogative | Asks (with a noun) | which way? whose pen? |
| Possessive | Shows ownership | my, your, his, their |
Note: Numeral adjectives are of three types — Definite (one, two, first), Indefinite (many, few, several, all), and Distributive (each, every).
2. Degrees of Comparison
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| tall | taller | tallest |
| large | larger | largest |
| happy | happier | happiest |
| beautiful | more beautiful | most beautiful |
| good / well | better | best |
| bad / ill | worse | worst |
| little | less | least |
| much / many | more | most |
| far | farther / further | farthest / furthest |
| late | later / latter | latest / last |
| old | older / elder | oldest / eldest |
Rules of formation: One-syllable words → add –er/–est. Words ending in –e → add –r/–st. Consonant + y → y→i + er/est (happy→happiest). Most words of two+ syllables → more/most.
3. Special Comparative Pairs
| Pair | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| farther / further | farther = distance; further = additional | walked farther / no further questions |
| later / latter | later = time; latter = second of two | came later / the latter option |
| latest / last | latest = most recent; last = final | the latest news / the last bus |
| older / elder | older = age (general, with "than"); elder = seniority in family (no "than") | older than me / my elder brother |
| nearest / next | nearest = distance; next = order | the nearest shop / next chapter |
4. Latin Comparatives (take "to", not "than")
superior, inferior, senior, junior, prior, anterior, posterior, prefer/preferable are followed by to.
- He is senior to me. (not "than me")
- This cloth is superior to that.
- I prefer tea to coffee. (not "than coffee")
5. Important Rules of Comparison
- Comparative + than any other (within the same class): Mumbai is bigger than any other city in India. (Wrong: "than any city").
- Comparative + than all the other (plural): He is stronger than all the other boys.
- Superlative + of all / in the class: He is the tallest of all.
- No other … so/as … as (positive): No other city is as big as Mumbai.
- "the + comparative … the + comparative": The higher you climb, the colder it gets.
- Double comparison parallelism: compare like with like — The climate of Delhi is hotter than that of Shimla (not "than Shimla").
Five solved examples:
- Gold is more precious than any other metal.
- No other boy in the class is as clever as Ravi.
- The population of India is larger than that of Pakistan.
- The more he earns, the more he spends.
- He is the wisest man in the village.
6. Adjectives Not Compared (Absolute Adjectives)
Some adjectives are already at the extreme and cannot be compared: unique, perfect, ideal, complete, supreme, universal, eternal, chief, extreme, round, square, full, empty, infinite.
Warning: Wrong: "more perfect", "most unique". Use "almost unique", "more nearly perfect" if intensity is needed.
7. Order of Adjectives
When several adjectives qualify one noun, the usual order is:
OSASCOMP: Opinion – Size – Age – Shape – Colour – Origin – Material – Purpose + noun.
Example: a lovely small old round brown Indian wooden writing desk.
8. Adjective vs. Adverb (Cross-link)
Recall (Chapter 3): after sense verbs (look, smell, taste, feel, sound) use an adjective describing the subject: The soup tastes good (not "well").
COMMON EXAM ERRORS
| # | Wrong | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | He is more taller than his brother. | He is taller than his brother. | Double comparative. |
| 2 | She is the most cleverest girl. | She is the cleverest girl. | Double superlative. |
| 3 | This is the most unique design. | This is a unique design. | "unique" is non-gradable. |
| 4 | He is senior than me. | He is senior to me. | Latin comparative + "to". |
| 5 | I prefer coffee than tea. | I prefer coffee to tea. | "prefer…to". |
| 6 | Mumbai is bigger than any city in India. | …than any other city in India. | Exclude the subject with "other". |
| 7 | He is the tallest of the two. | He is the taller of the two. | Comparative for two. |
| 8 | Which is the best of the two? | Which is the better of the two? | Comparative for two. |
| 9 | The climate of Mumbai is better than Pune. | …than that of Pune. | Compare like with like. |
| 10 | He has less books than I. | He has fewer books than I. | "fewer" + countable. |
| 11 | There are less people today. | There are fewer people today. | "fewer" + countable. |
| 12 | I have many works to do. | I have much work to do. | "work" uncountable → much. |
| 13 | He gave me a little informations. | He gave me a little information. | uncountable; no plural. |
| 14 | My elder brother is older to me. | My elder brother is older than me. | "older than", not "older to". |
| 15 | He is elder than me. | He is older than me. / my elder brother. | "elder" not used with "than". |
| 16 | The two first chapters. | The first two chapters. | Ordinal before cardinal. |
| 17 | These kind of mangoes. | This kind of mango / these kinds of mangoes. | Demonstrative–noun agreement. |
| 18 | He has got a few sense. | He has got little sense. | "sense" uncountable; "a few" + countable. |
| 19 | I read the later news. | I read the latest news. | "latest" = most recent. |
| 20 | Of the two brothers, the latest is taller. | …the latter is taller. | "latter" = second of two. |
| 21 | This is more preferable. | This is preferable. | "preferable" already comparative. |
| 22 | He is the most strongest. | He is the strongest. | Double superlative. |
| 23 | No other metal is so precious than gold. | …so precious as gold. | "so…as", not "so…than". |
| 24 | He is more wiser than brave. | He is more wise than brave. / wiser than brave. | When comparing two qualities of one person, use "more…than". |
| 25 | It is the more interesting of all. | It is the most interesting of all. | Superlative with "of all". |
EXAM TRICKS
- Two → comparative; more than two → superlative: "the better of the two", "the best of all".
- "any other" rule: a comparative comparing within a group needs "other" to exclude the subject.
- "so…as / as…as": negative comparisons in the positive degree use "so…as".
- Like-with-like: when comparing nouns of two places/people, add "that of / those of".
- Distractor: setters insert "more better", "most unique", "senior than", "less people", "best of the two".
FREQUENTLY CONFUSED PAIRS
| Pair | Distinction | Example |
|---|---|---|
| less / fewer | uncountable / countable | less sugar / fewer spoons |
| much / many | uncountable / countable | much noise / many cars |
| little / few | uncountable / countable (negative) | little hope / few friends |
| a little / a few | some (positive) | a little water / a few coins |
| elder / older | family seniority / general age | elder brother / older than me |
| farther / further | distance / additional | farther away / further details |
| later / latter | time / second of two | later today / the latter half |
EXCEPTIONS — Important, Rare & Advanced
- Comparative with "the" (Advanced): "the…the" structure uses comparatives with "the" (the sooner the better).
- Preferable / superior already comparative: never add "more"; use "far/much" for intensity (far preferable).
- Double superlative in older English/poetry: "most unkindest" (Shakespeare) — not acceptable in modern exam grammar.
- "Less" with countable (Modern colloquial): "10 items or less" is common but the exam answer is "fewer".
- Comparison of two qualities in one person: use "more X than Y" even for short adjectives — He is more clever than wise (not "cleverer than wise").
- "Senior/junior" with numbers: "He is senior to me by three years" (not "than").
50 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Easy (1–15)
1. The comparative degree of "good" is:
(a) gooder (b) better (c) best (d) more good
Answer: (b) better
Explanation: Irregular comparison good–better–best.
2. He is the ______ boy in the class.
(a) taller (b) tallest (c) more tall (d) most tall
Answer: (b) tallest
Explanation: Superlative for "in the class".
3. Choose the correct word: There are ______ students in the hall.
(a) much (b) many (c) less (d) a little
Answer: (b) many
Explanation: "many" + countable plural.
4. The superlative of "bad" is:
(a) badder (b) worse (c) worst (d) most bad
Answer: (c) worst
Explanation: bad–worse–worst.
5. He is senior ______ me.
(a) than (b) to (c) from (d) of
Answer: (b) to
Explanation: Latin comparative takes "to".
6. There is ______ water in the jug.
(a) many (b) few (c) little (d) fewer
Answer: (c) little
Explanation: "little" + uncountable.
7. The comparative of "happy" is:
(a) happyer (b) more happy (c) happier (d) happiest
Answer: (c) happier
Explanation: y → i + er.
8. I prefer tea ______ coffee.
(a) than (b) to (c) from (d) over
Answer: (b) to
Explanation: "prefer…to".
9. Which is a distributive adjective?
(a) some (b) each (c) red (d) five
Answer: (b) each
Explanation: "each" refers to one at a time.
10. He has ______ books than I.
(a) less (b) fewer (c) much (d) little
Answer: (b) fewer
Explanation: "fewer" + countable.
11. This is the ______ of the two roads.
(a) shortest (b) shorter (c) more short (d) most short
Answer: (b) shorter
Explanation: Comparative for two.
12. My ______ brother is a doctor.
(a) older (b) elder (c) eldest (d) old
Answer: (b) elder
Explanation: "elder" for family seniority (attributive).
13. "Unique" can be described as a/an ______ adjective.
(a) comparable (b) absolute/non-gradable (c) numeral (d) demonstrative
Answer: (b) absolute/non-gradable
Explanation: It cannot be compared.
14. Choose the correct order: a ______ vase.
(a) Chinese old beautiful (b) beautiful old Chinese (c) old beautiful Chinese (d) Chinese beautiful old
Answer: (b) beautiful old Chinese
Explanation: Opinion–Age–Origin order.
15. The superlative of "little" is:
(a) littlest (b) less (c) least (d) lesser
Answer: (c) least
Explanation: little–less–least.
Moderate (16–35)
16. Mumbai is bigger than ______ city in India.
(a) any (b) any other (c) some (d) all
Answer: (b) any other
Explanation: "other" excludes the subject from its own class.
17. No other boy is ______ tall ______ Ravi.
(a) more / than (b) so / as (c) as / than (d) most / of
Answer: (b) so / as
Explanation: Negative positive-degree comparison: "so…as".
18. The climate of Chennai is hotter than ______ of Delhi.
(a) climate (b) that (c) those (d) it
Answer: (b) that
Explanation: Compare like with like → "that of".
19. Of the two proposals, the ______ is better.
(a) latest (b) later (c) latter (d) last
Answer: (c) latter
Explanation: "latter" = the second of two.
20. Have you heard the ______ news?
(a) later (b) latter (c) latest (d) last
Answer: (c) latest
Explanation: "latest" = most recent.
21. ______ you work, ______ you will earn.
(a) Harder / more (b) The harder / the more (c) More hard / more (d) The hard / the more
Answer: (b) The harder / the more
Explanation: "the + comparative…the + comparative".
22. This watch is superior ______ that one.
(a) than (b) to (c) from (d) over
Answer: (b) to
Explanation: Latin comparative + "to".
23. He is more clever ______ wise.
(a) than (b) to (c) as (d) then
Answer: (a) than
Explanation: Comparing two qualities in one person → "more…than".
24. There is ______ hope of his recovery now.
(a) a little (b) little (c) few (d) a few
Answer: (b) little
Explanation: "little" (negative) = hardly any.
25. She has ______ friends who help her.
(a) a little (b) little (c) a few (d) much
Answer: (c) a few
Explanation: "a few" (positive) + countable.
26. The ______ two chapters are difficult.
(a) two first (b) first two (c) first second (d) second first
Answer: (b) first two
Explanation: Ordinal before cardinal.
27. Iron is more useful than ______ metal.
(a) any (b) any other (c) other (d) all
Answer: (b) any other
Explanation: Exclude the subject with "other".
28. Which sentence is correct?
(a) He is the wiser of all. (b) He is the wisest of all. (c) He is more wiser of all. (d) He is wisest than all.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Superlative with "of all".
29. This problem is ______ than that one.
(a) more easier (b) easier (c) most easy (d) easiest
Answer: (b) easier
Explanation: No double comparative.
30. I need ______ information before deciding.
(a) farther (b) further (c) father (d) furthest
Answer: (b) further
Explanation: "further" = additional.
31. He walked ______ than his friend.
(a) further (b) farther (c) furthest (d) far
Answer: (b) farther
Explanation: "farther" = physical distance.
32. Choose the correct sentence:
(a) It is more perfect. (b) It is the most perfect. (c) It is perfect. (d) It is perfecter.
Answer: (c)
Explanation: "perfect" is an absolute adjective.
33. ______ kind of flowers do you like?
(a) This (b) These (c) Which (d) Whose all
Answer: (c) Which
Explanation: Interrogative adjective selecting kind.
34. He gave me ______ advice on the matter.
(a) many (b) a few (c) some (d) fewer
Answer: (c) some
Explanation: "advice" uncountable; "some" fits.
35. The soup tastes ______.
(a) well (b) good (c) nicely (d) badly
Answer: (b) good
Explanation: After a sense verb, use an adjective.
Difficult (36–50)
36. Identify the correct comparison: "He is the cleverest boy ______."
(a) than all (b) of all the boys (c) than any boy (d) of any other boy
Answer: (b) of all the boys
Explanation: Superlative pairs with "of all".
37. Which is correct?
(a) Very few of his poems are as fine as this. (b) Very few of his poems are so fine than this. (c) Very few of his poems are finer as this. (d) Very few of his poems is as fine as this.
Answer: (a)
Explanation: "as…as" affirmative; plural subject "few…are".
38. Transform to comparative: "No other king was as powerful as Akbar."
(a) Akbar was more powerful than any king. (b) Akbar was more powerful than any other king. (c) Akbar was the most powerful king. (d) Akbar was as powerful as any king.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Positive "no other…as…as" ↔ comparative "more…than any other".
39. Which sentence correctly compares two qualities?
(a) She is wiser than honest. (b) She is more wise than honest. (c) She is wisest than honest. (d) She is more wiser than honest.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Two qualities of one person → "more…than", even for short adjectives.
40. Choose the correct sentence:
(a) He is junior than me by two years. (b) He is junior to me by two years. (c) He is more junior to me. (d) He is junior from me.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: "junior to…by"; no "than", no "more".
41. Identify the error: "This is one of the most cleverest students."
(a) one of (b) most cleverest (c) students (d) This
Answer: (b) most cleverest
Explanation: Double superlative; use "cleverest".
42. Which is correct?
(a) The population of India is greater than China. (b) The population of India is greater than that of China. (c) The population of India is greater than those of China. (d) India's population is greater than China.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Compare population with population → "that of".
43. Choose the correct word: "He showed ______ courage in the face of danger."
(a) few (b) a few (c) little (d) a little
Answer: (d) a little
Explanation: "courage" is uncountable; "a little" (= some) is correct, whereas "a few" requires a countable noun.
44. Transform to superlative: "Akbar was greater than all other Mughal kings."
(a) Akbar was the greatest Mughal king. (b) Akbar was greater than any king. (c) No king was as great as Akbar. (d) Akbar was a great Mughal king.
Answer: (a)
Explanation: "greater than all other X" ↔ "the greatest X".
45. Which sentence is correct?
(a) Of the two, this is the best. (b) Of the two, this is the better. (c) Of the two, this is more best. (d) Of the two, this is most good.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Comparative ("better") for two.
46. Identify the correct quantity word: "He has ______ patience with fools."
(a) few (b) a few (c) little (d) fewer
Answer: (c) little
Explanation: "patience" uncountable; "little" (negative sense).
47. Choose the correctly ordered phrase:
(a) a green long silk scarf (b) a long green silk scarf (c) a silk green long scarf (d) a green silk long scarf
Answer: (b) a long green silk scarf
Explanation: Size–Colour–Material order.
48. Which is correct?
(a) This book is preferable than that. (b) This book is more preferable to that. (c) This book is preferable to that. (d) This book is more preferable than that.
Answer: (c)
Explanation: "preferable" is already comparative; takes "to".
49. Identify the error: "He is the most strongest of all wrestlers."
(a) the (b) most strongest (c) of all (d) wrestlers
Answer: (b) most strongest
Explanation: Double superlative; "strongest".
50. Convert to positive degree: "Gold is more precious than any other metal."
(a) No other metal is as precious as gold. (b) No metal is precious as gold. (c) Gold is the most precious metal of all. (d) Some metals are as precious as gold.
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Comparative "more…than any other" ↔ positive "no other…as…as".