Degrees of comparison according to their use

EA17

As mentioned, the comparative is formed with the positive form of the adjective and the comparative suffix –er, while the superlative is formed with the positive form of the adjective and the superlative suffix –st. As a result, the following forms emerge:

	positive	comparative	superlative
formation of the degrees of comparison	schnell	schneller	schnellst
	nett	netter	nettest
	jung	jünger	jüngst

The use of the degrees of comparison depends on their function.

	positive	comparative	superlative
as an attribute	der schnelle Sportler	der schnellere Sportler	der schnellste Sportler

as a predicative expression	der Sportler ist schnell	der Sportler ist schneller	der Sportler ist am schnellsten

as an adverbial	der Sportler läuft schnell	der Sportler läuft schneller	der Sportler läuft am schnellsten

When an adjective functions as an attribute, the degrees of comparison are inflected and in the superlative form they are accompanied by the definite article. When the adjective functions as a predicative expression or an adverbial, the form am ... -sten is used in the superlative.