nonsuperlative

Nonsuperlative is a term used in linguistics to refer to the non-superlative form of an adjective or adverb—the base form or positive degree that is not itself in a comparative or superlative form. In languages with a three-term degree system, the nonsuperlative contrasts with the comparative and the superlative. The label is less common in contemporary grammars, which typically use the terms positive degree or base form.

In English, adjectives and many adverbs appear with three forms: positive (nonsuperlative), comparative, and superlative. The nonsuperlative corresponds to the base adjective or adverb, as in “large” (nonsuperlative), “larger” (comparative), “largest” (superlative). The same pattern applies to many languages that mark degree morphologically or syntactically.

Across languages, the degree system varies. Some languages inflect adjectives with distinct endings for comparative and superlative forms; others rely on periphrastic constructions such as more/most or use context to convey degree. Certain adjectives are considered non-gradable or absolute, and their forms may not regularly participate in a full comparative or superlative paradigm. In those cases, a nonsuperlative notion still denotes the base form used outside of any higher-degree comparison.

Overall, nonsuperlative is a descriptive label found in some grammars to denote the base, non-graded form of adjectives and adverbs. The more common terminology in modern usage is positive degree or base form. See also: positive degree, comparative, superlative, degree of comparison.