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53. Adjectives are not declined in the English language.
54. An adjective undergoes a change of form to express a comparison between different objects.
55. When the form of an adjective is so altered, as to express that a property exists in the subject we are speaking of, in a greater degree than in some other or others, the adjective is said to be in the comparative degree.
- “Summer is hotter than winter:” i.e. Summer possesses the property signified by the adjective hot in a higher degree than winter does.
- “The Andes are higher than the Alps.”
56. When the form of an adjective is so altered, as to express that, of all the individuals compared together, the property belongs in the highest degree to that of which we are speaking, the adjective is said to be in the superlative.
Hence the comparative and superlative are called degrees of comparison.
57. The comparative ends in -er, the superlative in -est.
(a) These endings are added to the adjective; but if it ends in e already, only -r is added, which, however, increases the word by a syllable. (safe, safer.) Those that end in -y change -y into -i before -er and -est. (lofty, loftier.)
(b) The adjective, in its simple form, is said to be in the positive degree.
58. Adjectives of more than one syllable, with the exception of those of two syllables ending in a vowel, do not admit of this change.
(a) This is the modern practice. In Milton, virtuousest, famousest, &c.
(b) We use the adverbs more and most, when we wish to compare the properties that are expressed by such adjectives.
59. The following adjectives have peculiar forms for their comparatives and superlatives:
- good, better, best
- much, more, most
- bad, worse, worst
- many, more, most
- little, less, least
60. Late and near have last and next for their superlatives, as well as latest and nearest.
61. There are also some superlatives in most: nethermost, lowermost, undermost; hindmost and hindermost; upmost and uppermost; inmost and innermost; topmost, foremost.
(a) Observe, that in some of these most is added to the positive, in some to the comparative, and in others to adverbs, or prepositions (used adverbially).
(b) Further, furthest, have nothing to do with far, but come from an old adjective forth: consequently, we should not write farther, farthest.
(c) The comparative and superlative are more nearly defined by such words of quantity as much, far, considerably,—a little, somewhat, &c., and the existence of any excess is denied by no, not at all, &c., with the comparative. “She is no better.”
(d) In many languages the superlative is used without a direct comparison of the object with others, to express that it possesses the quality in a very high degree. The superlative thus used, is called the superlative of eminence. In English, we commonly use the adverb very for this purpose. “A very good house.”
(e) Sometimes, however, our superlative is used as a superlative of eminence, especially when it is modified by such an adjective as possible, imaginable, conceivable, &c. It will generally, however, be found, that there is an implied reference to other objects:
- “He received me in the kindest possible manner.”
- “The greatest imaginable folly.” Here the reference is to all the possible degrees of kindness; to every imaginable species of folly.
(f) In most languages we find a few comparatives and superlatives from words which already denote the highest degree of a quality. One would not wish to get rid of such forms, when they have once obtained a firm footing, and may be considered as naturalized in the language.
(g) There seems to be authority for the following forms:
- Extremest. “The extremest of evils.” Bacon. “The extremest verge.” Shakespeare. “His extremest state.” Spenser. Also Dryden and Addison. [So the Greek ἔσχατότατος.]
- Chiefest. “Chiefest of the herdsmen.” Bible. “The chiefest courtier.” Shakespeare. “First and chiefest.” Milton.
- Perfect. “Usage has given to it (more perfect) a sanction which we dare hardly controvert.” Crombie. “Having more perfect knowledge of that way.” (Acts 24:22).
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