Double Comparison and Double Negatives

Grade 7 · English

Semester 2 | Period 4 | Week 20

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Subject: English

Semester: 2

Period: 4

Week: 20

School Name:
Teacher’s Name:
Subject: English Language
Grade Level: Grade 7
Date:
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Week & Period: Week 20, Period 4
Topic: Double Comparison and Double Negatives
Sub-topic: Correct Usage in Sentences

Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

  1. Define comparison in adjectives (positive, comparative, superlative).
  2. Identify and avoid double comparisons and double negatives.
  3. Construct correct sentences without errors in comparison or negation.

Previous Knowledge
Students already know:
• Adjectives and their types.
• Basic sentence construction.

Instructional Materials
• Textbook: English Language textbooks for Grade 7
• Teaching aids: Charts showing positive, comparative, and superlative forms, sample sentences, chalkboard/marker board
• Students’ notebooks and writing materials

Lesson Development – ABC Model

A – Anticipation (Warm-up / Starter)
Time: 5–10 minutes
Activity: The teacher will ask the class:
• Can you spot the error in this sentence: “She is more taller than her sister”?
• Why might saying “I don’t have no money” be confusing?
The teacher will record responses on the board.
Teacher’s Role: Lead a discussion to activate prior knowledge and introduce double comparisons and double negatives.
Learner’s Role:
• Share observations about incorrect sentences.
• Participate actively in discussion.

B – Building Knowledge (Main Lesson Body)

Time: 25–30 minutes

Teacher’s Role

  1. Define Comparison of Adjectives (Degrees of Comparison)
  • Adjectives can show different levels or degrees of quality.
    a. Positive Degree – Describes a quality without comparing.
  • Examples: tall, beautiful, fast, strong, good.
  • Sentences:
    • John is a tall boy.
    • The soup is hot.
    • She is kind.
  1. Comparative Degree – Compares two people or things. Usually formed with –er or more.
  • Examples: taller, more beautiful, faster, stronger, better.
  • Sentences:
    • John is taller than Peter.
    • This road is wider than that one.
    • My book is more interesting than yours.
  1. Superlative Degree – Compares more than two people or things. Usually formed with –est or most.
  • Examples: tallest, most beautiful, fastest, strongest, best.
  • Sentences:
    • John is the tallest boy in the class.
    • Of all the roads, this is the widest.
    • That is the most interesting book I have ever read.

 

  1. Explain Double Comparison (Error)
  • This happens when we use two comparative forms together unnecessarily.
  • Wrong: She is more taller than her sister.
  • Wrong: That house is the most fastest in the street.
  • Correct: She is taller than her sister.
  • Correct: That house is the fastest in the street.

Extra Examples of Double Comparison Errors:

  • Wrong: This exercise is more easier than the last.
  • Correct: This exercise is easier than the last.
  • Wrong: He is the most strongest man in the village.
  • Correct: He is the strongest man in the village.
  • Wrong: Her handwriting is more neater than mine.
  • Correct: Her handwriting is neater than mine.

 

  1. Explain Double Negatives (Error)
  • This happens when two negative words are used in the same sentence, creating confusion.
  • Wrong: I don’t have no money.
  • Correct: I don’t have any money. OR I have no money.
  • Wrong: She can’t do nothing.
  • Correct: She can’t do anything. OR She can do nothing.
  • Wrong: We don’t want none of that.
  • Correct: We don’t want any of that.
  • Wrong: He hasn’t never been to Monrovia.
  • Correct: He has never been to Monrovia.

Extra Common Double Negative Mistakes:

  • Wrong: Nobody didn’t come to class today.
  • Correct: Nobody came to class today. OR No one came to class today.
  • Wrong: We can’t hardly hear you.
  • Correct: We can hardly hear you.

 

  1. Show Correct Usage with Local/Relatable Examples
  • The Liberian River is longer than the creek near the farm. (Comparative)
  • Mount Nimba is the highest mountain in Liberia. (Superlative)
  • She is better at weaving baskets than her cousin. (Comparative, irregular form)
  • Wrong: He is the most tallest student in the school.
  • Correct: He is the tallest student in the school.
  • Wrong: I don’t need no pen.
  • Correct: I don’t need any pen. OR I need no pen.

 

Learners’ Activities (Expanded)

  • Take notes while the teacher explains.
  • Identify double comparisons and double negatives in teacher’s sentences.
  • Rewrite each incorrect sentence correctly.
  • In pairs, create at least 3 sentences each for positive, comparative, and superlative degrees.
  • In groups, role-play a short conversation using comparatives and superlatives correctly. Example: “My house is bigger than yours, but hers is the biggest in the community.”

 

Assessment Checks

  1. Correction Exercise: Teacher writes sentences on the board for correction.
    • She is more taller than her sister. → (taller)
    • I don’t want no food. → (I don’t want any food.)
    • This is the most fastest runner in the school. → (fastest)
    • We can’t do nothing about it. → (We can’t do anything about it.)
  2. Oral Questions:
    • Q: Why is “more better” wrong?
    • A: Because “better” is already a comparative form of “good.”
  3. Quick Classification Drill: Students classify given adjectives into positive, comparative, and superlative forms.
    • Example: strong → stronger → strongest; careful → more careful → most careful.

 

Notes (Expanded & Detailed)

  • Correct sentence construction avoids confusion and makes communication clear.
  • Positive, comparative, and superlative forms are used in everyday speech and writing.
  • Double comparisons are unnecessary because comparatives already show comparison.
  • Double negatives create confusion; use only one negative in a sentence.
  • Common irregular comparisons must be remembered:
    • Good → Better → Best
    • Bad → Worse → Worst
    • Little → Less → Least
    • Much/Many → More → Most

C – Consolidation (Conclusion & Assessment)
Time: 5–10 minutes
Summary:
• Teacher reviews positive, comparative, and superlative forms and emphasizes avoiding double comparisons and double negatives.
Evaluation Method (Expanded):
• Exit slip/quiz:

  1. Identify errors in three given sentences and correct them.
  2. Write one correct comparative and one correct superlative sentence.
    Teacher collects responses and provides oral feedback.

Assignment (Expanded):
• Write ten sentences: five using correct comparisons and five avoiding double negatives.
Follow-up Activity:
• Peer review: exchange sentences with a partner to check for errors.

Differentiation / Inclusive Strategies
• Struggling Learners: Provide guided examples and sentence correction exercises.
• Advanced Learners: Challenge them to write complex sentences with comparisons and negations correctly.
• Students with Disabilities: Use oral practice, peer assistance, and visual aids.

Teacher’s Reflection (After Class)
• What worked well? ______________________________________________________
• What needs improvement? _________________________________________________
• Students’ engagement level: □ High □ Medium □ Low