Category: Grammar Expansion

Comparatives & Superlatives

All Topics Play Quiz

Comparatives & Superlatives

Comparatives are used to compare two things. Superlatives are used to compare three or more things, showing the highest or lowest degree.

Comparative Form

Used to compare two people, places, or things.

Structure: Subject + verb + comparative + than + object

Rules for Forming Comparatives

Adjective TypeRuleExample
1 syllableAdd -ertall → taller, fast → faster
1 syllable ending in -eAdd -rlarge → larger, nice → nicer
1 syllable ending in consonant+vowel+consonantDouble consonant, add -erbig → bigger, hot → hotter
2 syllables ending in -yChange y to i, add -erhappy → happier, easy → easier
2+ syllablesAdd "more" beforebeautiful → more beautiful

Examples

  • She is taller than her sister.
  • This book is more interesting than that one.
  • Today is hotter than yesterday.

Superlative Form

Used to compare three or more people, places, or things.

Structure: Subject + verb + the + superlative

Rules for Forming Superlatives

Adjective TypeRuleExample
1 syllableAdd -esttall → tallest, fast → fastest
1 syllable ending in -eAdd -stlarge → largest, nice → nicest
1 syllable ending in CVCDouble consonant, add -estbig → biggest, hot → hottest
2 syllables ending in -yChange y to i, add -esthappy → happiest
2+ syllablesAdd "most" beforebeautiful → most beautiful

Examples

  • She is the tallest in her family.
  • This is the most interesting book I've read.
  • Mount Everest is the highest mountain.

Irregular Comparatives & Superlatives

AdjectiveComparativeSuperlative
goodbetterthe best
badworsethe worst
farfarther/furtherthe farthest/furthest
littlelessthe least
much/manymorethe most
oldolder/elderthe oldest/eldest

Equal Comparisons

as + adjective + as

  • She is as tall as her brother. (equal)
  • This is not as expensive as that one. (not equal)