What is the comparative form of the adjective early?
The English language is rich with its own set of rules and exceptions, and one such rule involves the formation of comparative adjectives. Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns, and when we want to compare two nouns or things, we use comparative adjectives. The term “comparative” comes from the Latin word “comparare,” which means “to compare.” In this article, we will delve into the comparative form of the adjective “early” and explore how it is used in different contexts.
Early, as an adjective, refers to something that happens or is done before the usual or expected time. For instance, if you have a meeting scheduled for 10:00 AM, and it starts at 9:00 AM, you can describe it as “early.” Now, let’s discuss how to form the comparative of this adjective.
The comparative form of “early” is “earlier.” This is done by adding the suffix “-er” to the base word. It is important to note that the comparative form is used to compare two things or situations. For example, “The movie started earlier than we expected” implies that the movie began before the expected time.
In some cases, the word “early” can also be used in a superlative form, which is “earliest.” The superlative is used when you want to express the highest degree of comparison. For example, “This is the earliest movie I have ever seen” indicates that it is the earliest movie among all the movies the speaker has seen.
It is worth mentioning that the comparative form of “early” can be used with the word “than” to form a complete sentence. For instance, “The meeting started earlier than the presentation” compares the timing of the meeting and the presentation.
In conclusion, the comparative form of the adjective “early” is “earlier,” and it is used to compare two things or situations in terms of time. Understanding the comparative form of adjectives like “early” is essential for effective communication in the English language. By using the correct form, you can convey your message more accurately and clearly.