Exercise 1. In these sentences name the adjectives and tell to what class they belong: 1. A clear conscience gives more joy than great wealth. 2. Much learning hath made thee mad. 3. All men are mortal. In my father's house are many mansions. 4. Her voice was ever soft, gentle, and low. 5. Dear, gentle, patient, noble Nell was dead. 6. The night hath a thousand eyes, the day but one. 7. Ten thousand stars were in the sky, ten thousand in the sea. 8. A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches. Exercise 2.- Give as many descriptive adjectives as you can that apply to each of the following words: Exercise 3.- Write sentences containing limiting adjec tives applying to these nouns : boys girls school flowers ducks cotton houses horses gold persons books waves LESSON 62.-COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES When we say Sugar is sweet, we merely state a fact about sugar alone. When we say Honey is sweeter than sugar, we compare the two objects, honey and sugar. When we say The violet is the sweetest of flowers, we compare the violet with all other flowers. Here we have seen three forms of the adjective, viz.: sweet, sweeter, sweetest. This variation in the form of the adjective is used for comparison. Comparison is a variation of the form of the adjective for the purpose of expressing a greater or less degree of quality or quantity in one object as compared with other objects. There are three degrees of comparison, the positive, the comparative, the superlative. The positive degree is the simple form of the adjective. sweet, pure, short, beautiful, dangerous. The comparative degree shows that one object contains more or less of a quality than some other object. The comparative degree is formed by adding r or er to the positive degree, or by the words more and less. It is used to compare two objects. sweeter, shorter, purer, more beautiful, less dangerous. The superlative degree shows that one object contains the most or the least of a quality as compared with a number of objects. The superlative degree is formed by adding st or est to the positive or by the words most and least. It is used to compare a number of objects. sweetest, shortest, purest, most beautiful, least dangerous. Adjectives of one syllable and some of two syllables form the comparative and superlative degrees by adding er and est to the positive degree. Some adjectives of two syllables and all with three or more syllables form the comparative and superlative degrees by using the words more and most or less and least. NOTE. Some adjectives that by their nature are complete in themselves cannot be compared. For instance, if a thing is perfect, it cannot be more perfect. Such adjectives as perfect, straight, round, square, circular, daily, hourly, perpendicular, vertical, annual, right, left, full, and others of the same kind are not subject to comparison. Limiting adjectives, which by their nature have no degree of quality, cannot be compared. Exercise 1. Name the adjectives in the following sen tences, and their degree of comparison: 1. Sweet are the uses of adversity. 2. The pen is mightier than the sword. 3. A good name is more precious than gold. 4. Imitation is the sincerest flattery. 5. Bacon was the wisest, brightest, meanest, of mankind. 6. Always say the kindest thing in the kindest way. 7. The wisest guides choose the least dangerous roads. 8. She is more precious than rubies. 9. The dog is the most faithful of animals. 10. The most precious objects are wrapped in the smallest packages. 11. The greatest men are the least pretentious. 12. The duller the plumage, the sweeter the voice. 13. Duty is the sublimest word in the English language. Exercise 2. Write the comparison of the following ad Exercise 3.- Write sentences containing each of the following adjectives in the comparative or in the superlative degree: LESSON 63. · IRREGULAR COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES Some adjectives do not form their comparative and superlative degrees by adding er and est, but by changes in the form of the word. These adjectives are compared irregularly: CAUTION. We should be careful to avoid such errors as gooder and goodest, badder and baddest, littler and littlest. Those are not forms in proper use. Good should never be used as an adverb; as He writes good, He behaved good. Instead we should say, He writes well, He behaved well. Instead of using less, least as the comparative forms of little, it is generally advisable to use other forms, as smaller and smallest; as, He is the smallest child in school. NOTE. When you are speaking of two objects only, you should use the comparative degree; as, Who is the better boy, John or James? When you are speaking of a number of objects, you should use the superlative degree; as, Who is the best boy in school? Exercise. Fill the blanks in the following sentences: 4. Of two evils choose the 5. I hardly know which of the two ways was the 6. He was the boy in the class. 7. Charles is small, but John is 8. The King was yesterday and to-day. - dangerous. LESSON 64.-WORDS USED AS ADJECTIVES We have seen that any word or combination of words in a sentence is to be construed according to use. Any word or combination of words that describes or limits the meaning of a noun or a pronoun is used as an adjective. 1. The possessive case is used as an adjective. John's hat is black. 2. A noun may be used as an adjective. The general wears gold buttons. 3. The infinitive (see page 154) may be used as an adjective. We had no food to eat. 4. A phrase introduced by a preposition may be used as an adjective. The time for my departure is at hand. |