What is the Comparative and Superlative of Slim?
The comparative form of 'slim' is slimmer, and the superlative form is slimmest. While the phrase "comparative superlative" is not a standard grammatical term, it commonly refers to seeking both the comparative and superlative degrees of an adjective.
Understanding Degrees of Adjectives
Adjectives describe the qualities of nouns. They have different forms to show degrees of comparison:
- Positive Degree: The basic form of the adjective (e.g., slim).
- Comparative Degree: Used to compare two things or people. It indicates that one has more of a certain quality than the other.
- Superlative Degree: Used to compare three or more things or people. It indicates that something has the highest or lowest degree of a certain quality among a group.
Comparative Degree: 'Slimmer'
The comparative form of 'slim' is slimmer. This form is used when you are comparing the slender quality of two subjects.
- Usage: To show that one item or person possesses the quality of being 'slim' to a greater extent than another.
- Example: "After her diet, she became slimmer than before."
Superlative Degree: 'Slimmest'
The superlative form of 'slim' is slimmest. This form is used when you are identifying the subject that possesses the quality of 'slim' to the highest degree among three or more. The term 'slimmest' signifies the most slender of a group. This form is widely recognized in English vocabulary resources.
- Usage: To denote the most slender or least thick among a group.
- Example: "Out of all the models, she was the slimmest."
Forming Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
For most one-syllable adjectives, like 'slim', and some two-syllable adjectives ending in 'y', the comparative and superlative forms are typically created by adding suffixes:
- Add -er for the comparative form.
- Add -est for the superlative form.
A common rule for words ending in a consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) pattern, such as 'slim', is to double the final consonant before adding the suffix.
- Slim (CVC) → Slim + m + er → Slimmer
- Slim (CVC) → Slim + m + est → Slimmest
Examples of Comparative and Superlative Forms
The following table illustrates the comparative and superlative forms for 'slim' and other similar adjectives:
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| Slim | Slimmer | Slimmest |
| Big | Bigger | Biggest |
| Hot | Hotter | Hottest |
| Thin | Thinner | Thinnest |
| Sad | Sadder | Saddest |
Understanding these degrees of comparison is fundamental for effective and precise communication in English.
