Class 6 English - ICSE

Adjectives: Order and Comparison

In this Class 6 ICSE English grammar chapter, students learn the correct arrangement of multiple adjectives modifying a single noun and the rules for comparing things. Understanding the royal order of adjectives—opinion, size, age, shape, color, origin, material, and purpose—ensures natural-sounding descriptive writing. Furthermore, mastering the degrees of comparison (positive, comparative, and superlative) helps students express differences accurately using suffixes like '-er' and '-est', or words like 'more' and 'most'. This topic is vital for ICSE board exams as it forms the bedrock of sentence structuring, error-spotting, and creative writing exercises.

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Key Concepts

Order of Adjectives

When using multiple adjectives, follow the specific sequence: Opinion, Size, Age, Shape, Color, Origin, Material, Purpose (OSASCOMP).

Positive Degree

The basic form of an adjective used when no comparison is being made, such as 'tall' or 'heavy'.

Comparative Degree

Used to compare two nouns, usually formed by adding '-er' or 'more' followed by 'than'.

Superlative Degree

Used to compare three or more nouns to show the highest degree, usually preceded by 'the' and ending in '-est' or using 'most'.

Irregular Comparisons

Adjectives that do not follow the standard rules and change completely when compared, such as 'good-better-best' or 'bad-worse-worst'.

Important Formulas

Comparative Degree = Adjective + er + than (or more + Adjective + than)
Superlative Degree = the + Adjective + est (or the + most + Adjective)
Order Formula = Opinion + Size + Age + Shape + Color + Origin + Material + Purpose + Noun

Board Exam Info

In ICSE Class 6 English Language exams, this chapter usually carries around 5 to 8 marks. Common question types include filling in the blanks with the correct degree of comparison, rearranging jumbled adjectives into the proper order, and error-spotting sentences with incorrect adjective sequences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we say 'a big red car' instead of 'a red big car'?

Because size (big) always comes before color (origin/material/etc.) according to the standard English order of adjectives rule (OSASCOMP).

When do we use 'more' and 'most' instead of '-er' and '-est'?

We use 'more' and 'most' with adjectives that have two or more syllables, such as 'beautiful' (more beautiful, most beautiful).

Can we use 'more' with a superlative adjective like 'best'?

No, never say 'more better' or 'most best'. Words like 'better' and 'best' are irregular and already in their comparative or superlative forms.

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