Comparative and Superlative Flashcards

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1
Q

Phrase: X is as big as Y.

A

Phrase: X ist so groß wie Y.

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2
Q

When comparing two objects in a simple clause, which cases do the objects take?

A

Both objects take the nominative, because the verb between them is some form of ‘sein.’

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3
Q

Phrase: X is not as heavy as Y.

A

Phrase: X ist nicht so schwer wie Y.

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4
Q

Phrase: A is darker than B.

A

Phrase: A ist dunkler als B.

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5
Q

Phrase: He is the smartest.

A

Er ist am intelligentesten.

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6
Q

How are comparative adjectives/adverbs usually formed?

A

An -er is added to the stem of the adjective/adverb, followed by the word ‘als’ and then the thing being compared to.

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7
Q

How are comparative adjectives formed for adjectives/adverbs ending in -el, -en, or -er? (e.g., teuer?)

A

The ‘e’ in the second-last place in the adjective/adverb is dropped. ‘Teuer’ becomes ‘teurer,’ for example.

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8
Q

Does the stem vowel change when forming a comparative adjective/adverb?

A

Yes. Many one-syllable adjectives/adverbs add an umlaut to the a, o or u.

But not all.

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9
Q

How is a superlative adjective/adverb formed?

A
  1. For adjectives/adverbs ending in d, t or s, add an -(e)st.
  2. For adjectives/adverbs ending in -el, -en or -er, add an -st to the end.
  3. If the comparative form got an umlaut, the superlative does too.
  4. Another option: am + adjective/adverb+sten.
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10
Q

comparative forms of ‘gern’

A

gern, lieber, am liebsten

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11
Q

comparative forms of ‘gut’

A

gut, besser, am besten

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12
Q

comparative forms of ‘hoch’

A

hoch, höher, am höchsten

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13
Q

comparative forms of ‘nah’

A

nah, näher, am nächsten

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14
Q

comparative forms of ‘viel’

A

viel, mehr, am meisten

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15
Q

Translate: better and better. (Or any adjective, for that matter.)

A

Phrase: immer besser, as in “Es funktioniert immer besser.”

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16
Q

When is the ‘am besten’ style of superlative adjective/adverb used?

A

The ‘am besten’ style of superlative is used thusly: Mein Auto ist am besten.

17
Q

How is the ‘-est’ style of superlative used?

A

The ‘-est’ superlative form is used in front of a noun, and it must be inflected to have the correct adjective ending.

18
Q

Translate: The fastest car is red.

A

Phrase: Das schnellste Auto ist rot. (The weak declension, neuter, nominative gets an -e ending.)

19
Q

Translate: My biggest dog is a poodle.

A

Mein großte Hund ist ein Pudel.

20
Q

Translate: A poodle ate my smallest dog.

A

Ein Pudel hat meine kleinste Hund gegessen.

(I’m not sure why the ‘mein’ is expressed as ‘meine’ instead of ‘meinen’ here. Several sources show that comparative/superlatives seem to get ‘meine’ instead of ‘meinen.’