alytical practical grammar - Toronto Public Library

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ENGUSH GRAM'IfAR.
210. The Positive expresses a quality, simply; a~,
" Gold is heavy."
211. The COllljiarative expresses a quality in a higher
degree in one object than in another, or in
several taken together; as, "Gold is heavier
than silver." "He is wiser than his teachers."
212. The Superlative expresses a quality in one object
in the highest degree compared with several
others; as, "Gold is the most precious of the
metals."
213. REMARK.-Thc supetlntive degree, when m1de by prefixing the
:ulverb most, is "ften used to express a very high degree of a quality in an
object, without directly comparing it with othcrs; as, "He is a most distinguished
m~n." Thus used, it is called tlte 8uperlative of eminence, and
commonly has a or an before it, if the noun is singular; and is without
an article, if the noun is plural. The same thing is expressed by prefixing
the adverb .Jery, exceedingly, &c.; as, c, a ver!! distinguished man j"
"very distillguished men." The superlative of comparison commonly has
tlt~ before it.
RULES FOR OOMPARIEO~.
214. RULE 1. Adjectives of one syllable form the comparative
by adding er to the positive, and the superlative
by adding est,- as, sweet, su'ceter, sweetest.
Words ending in e mute, drop • before er and est; as, large, lal'ger,
iar[Jfst (68.)
215. RULE 2. Adjectives of more than one syllable, are
commonly prepared by prefixing more and most to the
positive; as, IlWllerOUs, more 1lumerous, most nllmerous.
216. RE~!ARK.-Though these rules indicate the prevailing usage, yet
adjectives of two syllables are not unfrequently compared by er and est;
as, " Our tenderest cares j" " The commonest materials," and some adjectives
of one syllable, as, wise, apt,fit,