Degree of Comparison - Lesson 1 for University Admission Test, Job Application Test, BCS Exam and Any Competitive Examination
- Fakhruddin Babar
- Jan 21
- 13 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
DEGREE OF COMPARISON
Degree of Comparison
বাক্যে দুই বা ততোধিক ব্যক্তি, প্রাণী এবং বস্তুর মধ্যে তুলনা করতে adjective এর যে তিনটি form (positive, comparative, superlative) ব্যবহার হয় তাকে degree of comparison বলে।
Rahman is a good man. (Positive - সাধারণ গুণ)
Rahman is better than Kamal. (Comparative - দুইয়ের মধ্যে তুলনা)
Rahman is the best of all in the village. (Superlative - সবার মধ্যে শ্রেষ্ঠত্ব)
Degree তিন প্রকার:
01. Positive Degree: কোনো ব্যক্তি, প্রাণী এবং বস্তুর সাধারণ গুণ প্রকাশ পায়। (Ex: He is a strong man.)
02. Comparative Degree: দুইজন ব্যক্তি, প্রাণী এবং বস্তুর মধ্যে দোষ, গুণ, অবস্থার তুলনা প্রকাশ পায়। (Ex: He is stronger than his brother.)
03. Superlative Degree: দুইয়ের অধিক ব্যক্তি, প্রাণী এবং বস্তুর মধ্যে একজনের/একটির দোষ, গুণ, অবস্থার শ্রেষ্ঠত্ব বা সর্বোচ্চ মাত্রার তুলনা প্রকাশ পায়। (Ex: He is the strongest of all.)
Ex: A comedy is ______ than an action movie. [DU B: 17-18]
(A) more funny
(B) funnier
(C) most funny
(D) funniest
Ans: (B)
Ex: Which is the correct sentence? [7 College-Science: 20-21]
(A) The Nile is the longest river in Africa.
(B) The Nile is longest river in Africa.
(C) Nile is longest river in the Africa.
(D) Nile is longest river in Africa.
Ans: (A) (Superlative এর পূর্বে the বসে)।
Rules of Formation of Degree
1. General Rule: Adjective এর শেষে -er যোগ করে comparative এবং -est যোগ করে superlative করা হয়। (যদি শেষে দুটি consonant বা একটি vowel+consonant থাকে)।
Positive | Comparative (er) | Superlative (est) |
Great | Greater | Greatest |
Small | Smaller | Smallest |
Poor | Poorer | Poorest |
Strong | Stronger | Strongest |
Bold | Bolder | Boldest |
2. Ends in 'e': Adjective এর শেষে 'e' থাকলে শুধু -r যোগ করে comparative এবং -st যোগ করে superlative করা হয়।
Positive | Comparative (r) | Superlative (st) |
Able | Abler | Ablest |
Brave | Braver | Bravest |
Fine | Finer | Finest |
True | Truer | Truest |
Wise | Wiser | Wisest |
3. Consonant Doubling: Adjective এর শেষে একটি consonant এবং তার পূর্বে একটি vowel থাকলে শেষের consonant টি double করে এরপর -er এবং -est যোগ করতে হয়।
Positive | Comparative (er) | Superlative (est) |
Big | Bigger | Biggest |
Hot | Hotter | Hottest |
Fat | Fatter | Fattest |
Sad | Sadder | Saddest |
Red | Redder | Reddest |
4. Ends in 'y': Adjective এর শেষে -y এবং এর পূর্বে consonant থাকলে y এর স্থলে i বসিয়ে -er/-est যোগ করতে হয়। কিন্তু y এর পূর্বে vowel থাকলে y পরিবর্তন হয় না (e.g., Gay -> Gayer -> Gayest).
Positive | Comparative (ier) | Superlative (iest) |
Happy | Happier | Happiest |
Easy | Easier | Easiest |
Heavy | Heavier | Heaviest |
Pretty | Prettier | Prettiest |
Lazy | Lazier | Laziest |
Ex: Superlative form of the word 'Easy' is - [BSC-Nursing: 22-23]
(A) more easy
(B) most easy
(C) easiest
(D) easier
Ans: (C)
5. Multi-Syllable: একের অধিক syllable বিশিষ্ট adjective এর পূর্বে more যোগ করে comparative এবং most যোগ করে superlative করতে হয়।
Positive | Comparative (more) | Superlative (most) |
Comfortable | More comfortable | Most comfortable |
Courageous | More courageous | Most courageous |
Beautiful | More beautiful | Most beautiful |
Important | More important | Most important |
Difficult | More difficult | Most difficult |
6. Irregular Adjective: নির্দিষ্ট নিয়ম নেই।
Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
Good/Well | Better | Best |
Bad/Evil/Ill | Worse | Worst |
Little | Less/Lesser | Least |
Much | More | Most (quantity) |
Many | More | Most (number) |
Late | Later | Latest |
Old | Older/Elder | Oldest/Eldest |
Few | Fewer | Fewest |
Note: Adverb of place/time used as adjective:Far - Farther - FarthestNear - Nearer - Nearest/Next
Structure of Degrees
1. Positive Degree Structure
(i) Subject + verb + as + positive degree + as + noun/pronoun.
Ex: Rafa is as intellectual as Rafin.
(ii) Subject + verb (neg) + so/as + positive degree + as + noun/pronoun.
Ex: The boy is not so clever as his friend.
Ex: She is beautiful, but she is ______ her mother. [24th BCS]
(A) most beautiful
(B) less beautiful
(C) as beautiful
(D) not so beautiful as
Ans: (D)
(iii) No other + singular noun + verb + so/as + positive degree + as + noun/pronoun.
Ex: No other man in the village is so wise as Nur.
(iv) Very few + plural noun + plural verb + as + positive degree + as + noun/pronoun.
Ex: Very few cities in Bangladesh are as large as Chattogram.
2. Comparisons of Similarity (The same, Similar, Like)
The same... as / The same as / The same.
Ex: Jaman speaks the same language as his sister.
Similar to / Similar.
Ex: That joke is similar to a joke that I heard.
Like / Alike.
Ex: Saiful looks like his brother.
Ex: Choose the correct sentence. [DU-B: 2002-03]
(A) Bangladesh is like Vietnam.
(B) Bangladesh is as like as Vietnam.
(C) Bangladesh is same to Vietnam.
(D) Bangladesh is some like Vietnam.
Ans: (A)
3. Comparative Degree Structure
(i) Subject + verb + comparative degree + than + noun/pronoun.
Ex: She is older than you.
(ii) Subject + verb + more + adj + than...
(iii) Subject + verb + Latin comparative (senior/junior/superior) + to + noun/pronoun.
Ex: She is senior to Sumon.
(iv) ...than any other + singular noun.
Ex: Homer is greater than any other epic poet.
(v) ...than all other + plural noun.
Ex: Homer is greater than all other epic poets.
(vi) Comparison of two qualities in same person: More + positive degree + than + positive degree.
Ex: Swapon is more good than bad.
(vii) Intensifiers: Far/Much + comparative.
Ex: His house is far more expensive than yours.
Ex: I feel ______ now. [BU, B: 13-14]
(A) more happier
(B) much happy
(C) more happy
(D) much happier
Ans: (D)
(viii) Selection of one out of two: The + comparative + of the two.
Ex: Razia is the better of the two girls.
Ex: Of the two girls, Sultana is the ______ intelligent. [JKKNIU, AL:18-19]
(A) most
(B) more
(C) as
(D) far
Ans: (B)
4. Double Comparative (যত... তত)
Structure: The + comparative..., the + comparative...
Ex: The more you read, the more you learn.
Ex: The more we ______, the less we ______ [CU, A: 17-18]
(A) solve, get clever
(B) solved, feel shaky
(C) solve, feel shaky
(D) do not solve, get clever
Ans: (C)
Ex: Which of the following sentences is correct? [DU-D: 16-17]
(A) More you read, less you understand.
(B) The more you read, less you understand.
(C) The more you read, the less you understand.
(D) More you read, the less you understand.
Ans: (C)
5. Illogical Comparison দুটি অসম বস্তু বা বিষয়ের মধ্যে তুলনা হলে তাকে Illogical comparison বলে। এটি সংশোধন করতে that of (singular এর ক্ষেত্রে) বা those of (plural এর ক্ষেত্রে) ব্যবহার করতে হয়।
Structure: ...comparative degree + than + that of / those of + noun.
Ex: The salary of a professor is higher than that of a teacher. (Not "than a teacher").
Ex: The paintings of Sajal are more beautiful than those of Raju. (Not "than Raju").
Ex: Select the correct sentence. [JnU, B: 2013-14]
(A) The roads of Dhaka is wider than Khulna.
(B) The roads of Dhaka is wider than of Khulna.
(C) The roads of Dhaka are wider than those of Khulna.
(D) The roads of Dhaka is wider than those of Khulna.
Ans: (C)
6. Multiple Number Comparison
Structure: half/twice/three times + as much/many + noun + as...
Ex: This dictionary costs ______ the other one. [B:18-19]
(A) twice more than
(B) twice as much as
(C) three times as much
(D) twice as much
Ans: (B)
7. Exceptions
Always Positive: Senior, junior, elder, minor, inferior, former, interior, ulterior, utter, superior (সাধারণত Latin comparative হিসেবে to গ্রহণ করে, কিন্তু positive অর্থে ব্যবহৃত হয়)।
Always Superlative (No 'more/most'): Supreme, Almighty, Excellent, Absolute, Golden, Eternal, Perfect, Complete, Ideal, Chief, Universal, Unique.
Ex: He is ______ judge. [KU, C:18-19]
(A) a most perfect
(B) a perfect
(C) absolutely a perfect
(D) such a perfect
Ans: (B)
Part 2: Important Rules with Previous Questions
1. Classification of Adjective
কাজ ও ব্যবহারের ধরন অনুযায়ী Adjective প্রধানত চার প্রকার:
01. Adjective of Quality (গুণবাচক বিশেষণ)
যে Adjective কোনো noun বা pronoun এর দোষ, গুণ এবং অবস্থা প্রকাশ করে।
Ex: Dhaka is an old city.
Ex: He is an honest man.
Note: Proper noun কোনো noun এর পূর্বে বসে ঐ noun টিকে বিশেষিত করলে তা Proper Adjective হয় (যা Adjective of Quality এর অন্তর্ভুক্ত)।
Ex: This is an English grammar book.
Ex: We went to the American Embassy.
02. Adjective of Quantity (পরিমাণবাচক বিশেষণ)
যে Adjective কোনো noun বা pronoun এর পরিমাণ প্রকাশ করে। এটি সাধারণত Material ও Abstract noun (uncountable) এর পূর্বে বসে।
Ex: Joy have had enough exercise.
Ex: There is much water in the pond.
03. Adjective of Number (সংখ্যাবাচক বিশেষণ)
যে Adjective কোনো noun বা pronoun এর সংখ্যা প্রকাশ করে। এটি তিন প্রকার:
(i) Cardinal: নির্দিষ্ট সংখ্যা বোঝায় (One, two, three... etc.)
Ex: Our heart has four chambers.
(ii) Ordinal: ক্রম বা অবস্থান বোঝায় (First, second, third... etc.)
Ex: Sunday is the first day of the week.
(iii) Multiplicative: পরিমাণগত মাত্রা বা কতবার বোঝায় (Single, double, triple... etc.)
Ex: A few doctors take double fees from patients.
04. Pronominal Adjective (সর্বনামবাচক বিশেষণ)
যে Pronoun কোনো noun এর পূর্বে বসে ঐ noun কে বিশেষিত করে। এটি পাঁচ প্রকার:
(i) Possessive: (my, our, your, his, her, their, its)
Ex: We love our country.
(ii) Distributive: (Each, every, either, neither)
Ex: Every mother loves her child.
(iii) Demonstrative: (This, that, these, those, such)
Ex: Those mangoes are sour.
(iv) Interrogative: (which, what)
Ex: Which pen do you like most?
(v) Relative: (whose, which)
Ex: This is the book whose pages are torn.
2. Important Usage Notes
Rule: Usage of 'Enough'
Enough শব্দটি Noun কে modify করলে এর পূর্বে বা পরে বসতে পারে, কিন্তু Adjective/Adverb কে modify করলে সবসময় তাদের পরে বসে।
Ex (Correct): He is old enough to vote. (Not 'enough old')
Ex (Question): When your body does not get ----, it cannot make the glucose it needs. [RU C: 04-05]
(A) food as enough
(B) food enoughly
(C) enough the food
(D) enough food
Ans: (D)
Rule: One vs. Another vs. The Other
তিনটি Singular Noun এর ক্ষেত্রে: ধারাবাহিকভাবে One, Another এবং The Other বসে।
Ex: I have three shirts. One is red, another is white and the other is blue.
দুটির ক্ষেত্রে: প্রথমটির জন্য One এবং পরেরটির জন্য The Other বসে।
Ex: Of the two office clerks, one is experienced and the other is not.
3. Classification by Position
01. Attributive Adjective: যখন Adjective টি Noun এর ঠিক পূর্বে বসে।
Ex: A black cat is on the table.
02. Predicative Adjective: যখন Adjective টি Linking Verb (be, feel, taste, etc.) এর পরে বসে।
Ex: Apples taste delicious.
Ex: They are excellent.
4. Degree of Comparison
Definition
Positive: সাধারণ গুণ বোঝায়। (Ex: He is a strong man.)
Comparative: দুইয়ের মধ্যে তুলনা বোঝায়। (Ex: He is stronger than his brother.)
Superlative: অনেকের মধ্যে শ্রেষ্ঠত্ব বোঝায়। (Ex: He is the strongest of all.)
Formation Rules
General: add -er / -est (Great -> Greater -> Greatest).
Ends in 'e': add -r / -st (Brave -> Braver -> Bravest).
Consonant Doubling: (Big -> Bigger -> Biggest).
Ends in 'y': Change 'y' to 'i' + -er / -est (Happy -> Happier -> Happiest).
Multi-Syllable: Use more / most (Beautiful -> More beautiful -> Most beautiful).
Irregular: (Good -> Better -> Best; Bad -> Worse -> Worst).
5. Structure of Degrees (Sentence Rules)
A. Comparative Structures
Rule 1: Subject + Verb + Comparative Degree + than + Noun/Pronoun.
Ex: She is older than you.
Rule 2 (Latin Comparatives): Senior, junior, superior, inferior, prior, etc. এর পরে than না বসে to বসে।
Ex: She is senior to Sumon.
Rule 3 (Double Comparative - যত...তত): The + Comparative ..., The + Comparative ...
Ex: The more you read, the more you learn.
Ex: The longer I live here, the more I like it.
Rule 4 (Illogical Comparison): অসম বস্তুর তুলনা রোধ করতে that of (singular) বা those of (plural) ব্যবহার করা হয়।
Ex (Incorrect): The salary of a professor is higher than a teacher.
Ex (Correct): The salary of a professor is higher than that of a teacher.
Ex (Plural): The paintings of Sajal are more beautiful than those of Raju.
Rule 5 (Multiple Number): সংখ্যাবাচক তুলনা (half, twice, three times) এর ক্ষেত্রে times + as much/many + as বসে।
Ex: This dictionary costs twice as much as the other one. (Not 'twice more than').
B. Superlative Structures
Rule 1: Subject + Verb + The + Superlative Degree + ...
Ex: The Nile is the longest river in Africa.
Rule 2 (One of the): One of the + Superlative Degree + Plural Noun.
Ex: Cuba is one of the largest sugar-growing countries in the world.
C. Exceptions (Absolutes)
কিছু Adjective নিজেই Superlative অর্থ প্রকাশ করে, তাই এদের পূর্বে more বা most বসে না।
List: Supreme, Almighty, Excellent, Absolute, Perfect, Complete, Universal, Unique, Round, Dead.
Ex: He is a perfect judge. (Not 'a most perfect').
Exercise
1. Rahim is one — superstitious (সুপারস্টিশাস-কুসংস্কারাচ্ছন্ন) people I know. [DU (B) 14-15]
A. much
B. very much
C. of the more
D. of the most
Ans: D
2. Tahseen was one --------- [RU (Law) 05-06] Sara was one --------- [CU (C3) 12-13] Sumon was one --------- [কারিগরি শিক্ষা দপ্তরের অধীনে কারিগরি জুনিয়র ইনস্ট্রাক্টর-০৫]
A. of the happy childs of his class
B. child who was the happiest of all the classes
C. of the happiest child of the class
D. of the happiest children in the class
Ans: D
3. Dhaka is becoming one of the – cities in Asia.[ IU G 10-11, রেলওয়ের উপসহকারী প্রকৌশলী (সিভিল)-১৬]
A. more busy
B. busiest
C. busy
D. most busiest
Ans: B
4. Choose the correct sentence.
A. Bangladesh is like Vietnam.
B. Bangladesh is as like as Vietnam. [CU (B) 02-03]
C. Bangladesh is some like Vietnam.
D. Bangladesh is same to Vietnam.
Ans: A
5. Although they are smaller, chipmunks are – most other ground squirrels. [JU (IBA) 11-12]
A. alike
B. like as
C. same as
D. like
Ans: A
6. Although we often use ‘speed’ and ‘velocity’ interchangeably, in a technical sense, ‘speed’ is not always – ‘velocity’. [DU C 02-03, PUST A 11-12, JnU D 16-17, JU F 16-17]
A. alike
B. the same as
C. similar
D. as
E. as good as
Ans: B
7. Last year, Matin earned – his brother, who has a better position. [CU D 12-13, E 16-17, JU E3 13-14]
A. twice as much as
B. twice more than
C. twice as many as
D. twice as more as
Ans: A
8. Staying in a hotel costs – renting room in a dormitory for a week. [NSTU (C) 12-13, CU (B1) 12-13]
A. twice more than
B. twice as much as
C. as much twice as
D. as much as twice
Ans: B
9. This dictionary costs – the other one. (এই অভিধানের দাম অন্যটার দ্বিগুণ) [JU (B) 18-19]
A. twice more than
B. twice as much as
C. twice as much
D. twice as many
Ans: B
10. Mina has been suffering from fever for two months. She --- [CU (B-1) 14-15]
A. is comparatively better today
B. is comparatively the best today
C. is nicely today
D. is better today.
Ans: D
11. Which of the following sentences is correct? [ডাক ও টেলিযোগাযোগ মন্ত্রণালয়ের হিসাবরক্ষণ কর্মকর্তা-০৩]
A. He is good today than before
B. He is better today [RU (মার্কেটিং) 07-08, Medical 13-14]
C. He is best today than yesterday
D. He is comparatively better today.
Ans: B
12. Choose the correct sentence. (আজ আমি আগের চেয়ে ভালো বোধ করছি) [NU (বিজ্ঞান) 11-12]
A. I feel more good today
B. I feel better today
C. I feel more better today
D. He is comparatively better today.
Ans: B
13. She is one of the most courgeous persons — [NU (মানবিক) 12-13]
A. I known
B. which I know
C. who I know
D. I have ever known.
Ans: D
14. My uncle is the best story-teller — [CU (B) 05-06]
A. than I’ve ever met
B. I’ve ever met
C. that never met
D. that I’ve ever met
Ans: B
15. Which one is the superlative degree? (সব ফুলের মধ্যে গোলাপ সবচেয়ে সুন্দর) [IU (Law) 04-05]
A. Rose is the finest of all flowers.
B. The rose is the finest of all flowers.
C. The rose is finest of all flowers.
D. The rose is the finest of all flower.
Ans: B
16. Which one is correct? (নীল নদ আফ্রিকা মহাদেশের দীর্ঘতম/সবচেয়ে বড় নদী) [17th BCS, মাধ্যমিক ও উচ্চ মাধ্যমিক শিক্ষা অধিদপ্তরের অধীনে প্রদর্শক-০৪, RU 06-07, IU (ঝ) 12-13, Rupali Bank -13, BRUR (A) 15-16]
A. The Nile is longest river in Africa.
B. The Nile is longest river in the Africa.
C. Nile is longest river in Africa.
D. The Nile is the longest river in Africa.
Ans: D
17. He drives much — than he needs to do. [DU (B) 99-00, NU 10-11] I prepare my lesson — than you. [ত্রাণ ও পুনর্বাসন অধিদপ্তরের প্রকল্প বাস্তবায়ন কর্মকর্তা-০৬]
A. so carefully
B. more careful
C. carefully
D. more carefully
Ans: D
18. Dhaka is one of the largest cities in Bangladesh. (Positive) [১০ম স্কুল শিক্ষক নিবন্ধন-১৪]
A. No other cities in Bangladesh are as big as Dhaka.
B. Very few cities in Bangladesh are as big as Dhaka.
C. Very few cities in Bangladesh is as big as Dhaka.
D. Some cities in Bangladesh is as big as Dhaka.
Ans: B
19. He is one of the worst men in the world. (Make Positive) [১৩তম শিক্ষক নিবন্ধন (স্ক) ১৬]
A. Very few men in the world were so bad as he.
B. Very few man in the world was so bad as he.
C. Very few men in the world were so bad so he.
D. Very few man in the world were as bad as he.
Ans: A
20. Salman is one of the richest persons in the town. What does the sentence imply? [DU C 19-20]
A. No other man is as rich as Salman in the town.
B. No one in this town is rich.
C. Very few persons in the town are as rich as Salman.
D. Salman is very rich but others are also rich.
Ans: C
21. It burns the prettiest of any wood. (Positive) [৮ম স্কুল শিক্ষক নিবন্ধন-১২, ১৫তম শিক্ষক নিবন্ধন-১৯]
A. No other wood is as pretty as it burns
B. No other wood burns is as pretty as it
C. No other wood burns as pretty as it
D. No other wood burn as pretty as it
Ans: C
22. It is more than honesty. (Make it ‘Postive’) [১৫তম শিক্ষক নিবন্ধন (২)-১৯]
A. Honesty is not as much as it.
B. Honesty are not as much as it.
C. Honesty is as much as it.
D. Honesty is less much as it.
Ans: A
23. The sentence ‘He is one of the best boys in the village’ can be written as - [RU (E, বিজোড়) 16-17]
A. Very few boys in the village is so good as he
B. Very few boys in the village are as good as he
C. Very few boys in the village are better as he
D. Very few boys in the village is very good as he
Ans: B
24. Mango is one of the sweetest fruits in the world. (Comparative) [৬ষ্ঠ শিক্ষক নিবন্ধন-১০]
A. Mango is more sweet than any other fruits in the world.
B. Mango is more sweet than all other fruits in the world.
C. Mango is sweeter than most other fruits in the world.
D. Mango is sweeter than any other fruits in the world.
Ans: C
25. Belal is the best boy in the class. (Comparative) [১২তম স্কুল শিক্ষক নিবন্ধন (২)-১৫]
A. Very few boys in the class as good as Belal
B. Belal is a good boy in the class
C. Belal is better than any other boy in the class
D. Belal is better than any other boys in the class
Ans: C
26. The Padma is one of the biggest rivers in Bangladesh. (Positive) [১২তম স্কুল শিক্ষক নিবন্ধন-১৫]
A. Very few river in Bangladesh is as big as the Padma
B. Very few rivers in Bangladesh are as big as the Padma
C. No other river in Bangladesh is so big as the Padma
D. No other rivers in Bangladesh are as big as the Padma
Ans: B
27. ‘Iron is the most useful metal’. The positive form of the sentence is- [বিটিভির সহকারী প্রকৌশলী (সিভিল)-১৭, RU 05-06]
A. Very few metals are as useful as iron.
B. Iron is as useful as many other metals.
C. No other metal is as useful as iron.
D. Iron is more useful than many other metals.
Ans: C
28. He is the best boy in the class. (Positive) [৯ম স্কুল শিক্ষক নিবন্ধন-১৩]
A. He is a good boy in the class
B. No other boy is so good as he.
C. No other boy in the class is as good as he.
D. He is better than any other boy
Ans: C
29. Change positive to comparative without any change of meaning. ‘He is as ferocious as tiger’ [JnU (D) 15-16]
A. A tiger is not more ferocious than he.
B. A tiger is not ferocious than he.
C. A tiger is not ferocious than he
D. A tiger is not more ferocious than him
Ans: A
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