In Quertílian, adjectives, some adverbs and numerical anaphora of identity can be gradated. There are five levels of gradation:
| ending | meaning |
|---|---|---|
negative superlative | -sio | least |
negative comparative | -bu | less |
neutral | -w (adjectives), -i (derived adverbs), -Ø | equal |
positive comparative | -um (forms a hiatus) | more |
positive superlative | -fio | most |
For numerical anaphora, the -t of lhít is dropped in positive superlative and the negative grades. Also, the on- prefix is dropped in all forms apart from the neutral.
The referents of the comparison are used in genitive, which precedes the adjective. They follow the noun, if the With the superlatives, these are in plural.
Oriaw em mé qi. He is as tall as me.
Oria'um em mé qi. He is taller than me.
Oriafio em mé thriw. He is the tallest of us.
Oriabu em mé qi. He is less tall than me.
Oriasio em mé thriw. He is the least tall of us.
Onilhít si o sitent mé wé. I have the same amount of books as you.
Lhítum si o sitent mé wé. I have more books than you.
Lhífion si o sitent mé rá. I have the most books of you all.
Lhíbus si o sitent mé wé. I have less books than you.
Lhísion si o sitent mé rá. I have the least books of you all.
Etre sizaolem te éngsér mé angqíra. The runner comes as soon as the others.
Entre'um sizaolem te engsér mé angqíra. The runner comes sooner than the others.
Entrebu sizaolem te engsér mé angqíra. The runner comes later than the others.