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How to Teach Comparative Degrees Showing Quantity in Grammar

The three comparative degrees which show quantity are the positive, the comparative and the superlative. Students with a basic understanding of word endings will benefit from a review of that concept and then specific examples of increasing and decreasing quantities. Provide younger students with concrete, everyday examples, such as kittens and milk, and provide older students with theoretical models which they can apply to their everyday lives, such as bills and taxes.

Things You'll Need

  • Whiteboard, blackboard, or smartboard
  • Dry erase markers
  • Handouts
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Instructions

    • 1

      Review word endings and remind students that adding an "s" to a noun makes it plural and increases the quantity. You may need to explain the concept of quantity to younger students.

    • 2

      Draw a large chart on the board with four columns and four rows. Label the columns "Example," "Positive," "Comparative" and "Superlative."

    • 3

      Use the first box in each row to provide examples for the students and write the following words in the second boxes: "Many," "Few" and "Little." Explain that these words describe the basic example, but that it is possible to increase or decrease the amount in the example.

    • 4

      In the third boxes write "More," "Fewer" and "Less." The memory device for this degree is that these words "compare" the change from the positive degree.

    • 5

      Use the last box in each row for the words "Most," "Fewest" and "Least." Explain that these words show the largest or smallest quantities, just like the fast-food trend to "supersize" meals.

    • 6

      Add several blank rows and ask the students to generate their own examples for practice. Review the concept as necessary until all the students understand.

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