Comparative and Superlatives

COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES FORMING THE COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE Number of syllables Comparative Superlative one syllable + -er + -est tall taller tallest one syllable with the spelling consonant + single vowel + consonant: double the final consonant: fat fatter fattest big bigger biggest sad sadder saddest   Number of syllables Comparative Superlative two syllables + -er OR more + adj + -est OR most + adj ending in: -y, -ly, -ow ending in: -le, -er or -ure these common adjectives - handsome, polite, pleasant, common, quiet happy happier/ more happy happiest/ most happy yellow yellower/ more yellow yellowest/ most yellow simple simpler/ more simple simplest/ most simple tender tenderer/ more tender tenderest/ most tender If you are not sure, use MORE + OR MOST + Note: Adjectives ending in '-y' like happy, pretty, busy, sunny, lucky etc:. replace the -y with -ier or -iest in the comparative and superlative form busy busier busiest Number of syllables Comparative Superlative three syllables or more more + adj most + adj important more important most important expensive more expensive most expensive Examples: a. A cat is fast, a tiger is faster but a cheetah is the fastest b. A car is heavy, a truck is heavier, but a train is the heaviest c. A park bench is comfortable, a restaurant chair is more comfortable, but a sofa is the most comfortable

 COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES

IRREGULAR COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES

These adjectives have completely irregular comparative and superlative forms:

Adjective	Comparative	Superlative
good	better	best
bad	worse	worst
little	less	least
much	more	most
far	further / farther	furthest / farthest

 COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES

THE + SUPERLATIVE

'the' is placed before the superlative:
For example:

• He is the richest man in the world.
• That is the biggest crocodile I have ever seen.
• She is the tallest girl in her class.

 COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES

COMPARATIVE + THAN

To compare the difference between two people, things or events.
Examples:

• Mt. Everest is higher than Mt. Blanc.
• Thailand is sunnier than Norway.
• A car is more expensive than a bicycle.
• Albert is more intelligent than Arthur.

    Fill in the blanks with a comparative or a superlative :

a.    Canada is (big) ________than the USA but China is (populous) ________country in the world.  | b. We stayed at (cheap) ________ hotel in the town but my cousin’s campsite was (cheap) ________ than our hotel. | c. January is generally (bad) ________ than December but February is (cold) ________ month. | d. English is (easy)________ than German. | e. Chinese is (difficult) ________ language. | f. Heathrow is one of (busy) ________ airports in Europe. | g. My father thinks that the Beatles were (good) ________ than the Rolling Stones, but in my opinion, U2 is (great) ________ band.

Answer Key

     Canada is (big) bigger than the USA but China is (populous) the most populous country in the world.  | b. We stayed at (cheap) the cheapest hotel in the town but my cousin’s campsite was (cheap) cheaper than our hotel. | c. January is generally (bad) worse than December but February is (cold) the coldest month. | d. English is (easy) easier than German. | e. Chinese is (difficult) the most difficult language. | f. Heathrow is one of (busy) the busiest airports in Europe. | g. My father thinks that the Beatles were (good)better than the Rolling Stones, but in my opinion, U2 is (great) the greatest band.

TEST

COMPARATIVES (+ superiority, = equality, - inferiority).
a) Sandra is ___________ (+ pretty) Sophia.
b) This song is ___________ (+ good) the previous one.
c) My boat is ___________ (= expensive) your boat.
d) This book is ___________ (= bad) that one.
e) Jurassic Park is ___________ (- frightening) Star Wars.
f) The Lost World is ___________ (- good) Jurassic Park I.

SUPERLATIVES (+ superiority, = equality, - inferiority).
a) Peter is ___________ (+ intelligent) student in the school!
b) This place is ___________ (- interesting) of the town.

ANSWERS

COMPARATIVES
a) Sandra is prettier than Sophia.
b) This song is better than the previous one.
c) My boat is as expensive as your boat.
d) This book is as bad as that one.
e) Jurassic Park is less frightening than Star Wars.
f) The Lost World is less good than Jurassic Park I.

SUPERLATIVES
a) Peter is the most intelligent student in the school!
b) This museum is the least interesting place of the town.