Comparatives and Superlatives

Comparative adjectives are used to compare one noun to another noun. For example, this flower is redder than that flower. In Old English, the comparative is made by adding 'r' between the adjective's stem and its suffix and it is always declined weak. For example, 'Ure hige sceal ðe heardra ðe ure mægen lytlaþ - our courage must be harder as our might lessens'.

Superlative adjectives are used to compare one noun to a group. For example, this flower is the reddest flower. The superlative is made by adding 'ost' or, in some cases, 'st'. For example, 'he god wære hehst ond halgost - he was the highest and holiest god'.

The Old English endings for comparatives and superlatives are relatively similar to modern English so you shouldn't have trouble differentiating between the two. For example, compare 'wise', 'wisra' and 'wisost' with the modern English 'wise', 'wiser' and 'wisest'.

Several common adjectives undergo 'i-mutation' in the comparative and superlative, and have 'est' instead of 'ost' as the superlative suffix. The rules around i-mutation will be covered in more detail in the next module, but for now notice that the vowel in the stem changes with 'ea' becoming 'ie', 'eo' becoming 'i', and 'a' becoming 'e'.

There are some adjectives which are just irregular and need to be learned. These are, unfortunately, the most commonly used adjectives but you will notice that the adjectives that are irregular in Old English are the ones that are irregular in modern English. For example, little, less, least; good, better, best; and bad, worse, worst; are all recognisable in the below declensions.

Comparatives and superlatives decline just like regular adjectives. Comparative adjectives always decline weak, while superlative adjectives decline weak or strong depending on context. The inflectional suffix is added after the comparative or superlative suffix. For example, 'ieldran', 'hierran', 'halgostes', and 'wisostum'. Examine the sentence, he sende to Egipta wisoste witan - he sent for Egypt's wisest magician.

The important thing to remember about comparative adjectives is that they usually have a suffix containing 'r', while superlative adjectives have an suffix containing 'st'. You can practice comparatives and superlative adjectives below.

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