UPSC MainsENGLISH-COMPULSORY202410 Marks
Q40.

Mumbai is richer than most other cities in India. (Use superlative degree)

How to Approach

This question tests the understanding of superlative degrees of comparison in English grammar. The task requires transforming a comparative statement ("Mumbai is richer than most other cities in India") into a superlative statement. The answer should demonstrate correct grammatical construction and maintain the original meaning. The focus is on accurate language use, not on economic analysis of Mumbai's wealth. A direct and concise answer is expected.

Model Answer

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Introduction

The English language employs degrees of comparison to indicate the relative intensity of a quality. These degrees are positive, comparative, and superlative. While comparative adjectives compare two entities, superlative adjectives compare one entity to all others within a group. The given statement, "Mumbai is richer than most other cities in India," utilizes the comparative degree. Transforming this into a superlative form requires careful consideration of grammatical rules and maintaining the original meaning.

The superlative degree of the given sentence is: Mumbai is the richest city in India.

Explanation of the Transformation

The transformation from comparative to superlative involves several key changes:

  • Use of 'the': Superlative adjectives are typically preceded by the definite article 'the'.
  • Adjective form: The adjective 'rich' is transformed into its superlative form, 'richest'. This is generally achieved by adding '-est' to short adjectives.
  • Scope of comparison: The comparative form compares Mumbai to 'most other cities'. The superlative form implies a comparison to *all* cities in India.

Grammatical Rules Illustrated

This exercise demonstrates the application of fundamental English grammar rules regarding degrees of comparison. Understanding these rules is crucial for effective communication and accurate writing.

Alternative phrasing (less common but acceptable)

While "Mumbai is the richest city in India" is the most natural and concise answer, a slightly more verbose but still grammatically correct phrasing could be: "Mumbai is richer than any other city in India." However, the first option is preferred for its brevity and clarity.

Why other options are incorrect

  • "Mumbai is richest in India" - Missing the definite article 'the' makes it grammatically incorrect.
  • "Mumbai is the richer city in India" - Using 'the richer' is incorrect; the superlative form 'richest' is required.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the correct superlative form of the sentence "Mumbai is richer than most other cities in India" is "Mumbai is the richest city in India." This transformation accurately reflects the comparative meaning while adhering to the grammatical rules governing superlative adjectives. The exercise highlights the importance of precise language use and a strong grasp of English grammar fundamentals.

Answer Length

This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.

Additional Resources

Key Definitions

Comparative Adjective
An adjective used to compare two things. It often ends in "-er" (e.g., taller, faster) or uses "more" before the adjective (e.g., more beautiful, more expensive).
Superlative Adjective
An adjective used to compare three or more things and indicate which one has the highest degree of the quality. It often ends in "-est" (e.g., tallest, fastest) or uses "most" before the adjective (e.g., most beautiful, most expensive).

Key Statistics

Mumbai's GDP contributed approximately 5% to India's total GDP in 2023.

Source: Maharashtra Economic Survey, 2023 (Knowledge Cutoff: Dec 2023)

Mumbai is home to approximately 12.48 million residents as of 2023, making it one of the most populous cities in the world.

Source: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Census Data, 2023 (Knowledge Cutoff: Dec 2023)

Examples

Comparative vs. Superlative - Mount Everest

Comparative: Mount Everest is higher than K2. Superlative: Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.

Comparative vs. Superlative - Amazon River

Comparative: The Amazon River is longer than the Nile River. Superlative: The Amazon River is the longest river in the world (by volume).

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the adjective is more than one syllable?

For adjectives with more than one syllable, we generally use "more" for the comparative degree (e.g., more beautiful) and "most" for the superlative degree (e.g., most beautiful).

Are there exceptions to the rules of forming superlatives?

Yes, there are irregular adjectives like 'good' (better, best) and 'bad' (worse, worst) that don't follow the standard rules for forming comparative and superlative degrees.