e _higher_, superlative _highest_. Less frequently we
use the adverbs _more_ and _most_; as, positive _beautiful_, comparative
_more beautiful_, superlative _most beautiful._

In Latin, as in English, adjectives are compared by adding suffixes or
by using adverbs.

_301._ Adjectives are compared by using suffixes as follows:

POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
cla:rus, -a, -um cla:rior, cla:ri:us cla:rissimus, -a, -um
(_bright_) (_brighter_) (_brightest_)
(BASE cla:r-)
brevis, breve brevior, brevius brevissimus, -a, -um
(_short_) (_shorter_) (_shortest_)
(BASE brev-)
ve:lo:x ve:lo:cior, ve:lo:cius ve:lo:cissimus, -a, -um
(_swift_) (_swifter_) (_swiftest_)
(BASE veloc-)

_a._ The comparative is formed from the base of the positive by
adding -ior masc. and fem., and -ius neut.; the superlative by
adding /-issimus, -issima, -issimum\.

_302._ Less frequently adjectives are compared by using the adverbs
/magis\, _more_; /maxime:\, _most_; as, /ido:neus\, _suitable_; /magis
ido:neus\, _more suitable_; /maxime: ido:neus\, _most suitable._

_303._ Declension of the Comparative. Adjectives of the comparative
degree are declined as follows:

SINGULAR PLURAL
MASC. AND FEM. NEUT. MASC. AND FEM. NEUT.
Nom. cla:rior cla:ri:us cla:ri:o:re:s cla:rio:ra
Gen. cla:rio:ris cla:rio:ris cla:rio:rum cla:rio:rum
Dat. cla:rio:ri: cla:rio:ri: cla:rio:ribus cla:rio:ribus
Acc. cla:rio:rem cla:rius cla:rio:re:s cla:rio:ra
Abl. cla:rio:re cla:rio:re cla:rio:ribus cla:rio:ribus

_a._ Observe that the endings are those of the consonant stems of
the third declension.

_b._ Compare /longus\, _long_; /fortis\, _brave_; /recens\ (base,
recent-), _recent_; and decline the comparative of each.

_304._ Adjectives in -er form the comparative regularly, but the
superlative is formed by adding -rimus, -a, -um to the nominative
masculine of the positive; as,

POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
a:cer, a:cris, a:cre a:crior, a:crius a:cerrimus, -a, -um
(BASE acr-)
pulcher, pulchra, pulchrum pulchrior, pulchrius pulcherrimus,
(BASE pulchr-) -a, -um
li:ber, li:bera, li:berum li:berior,