Comparatives and Superlatives

We use comparatives and superlatives to describe things.^[1]British Council – Comparative and superlative adjectives

• Comparatives are used to describe two objects.
• Superlatives are used to describe three or more objects.

Adjective Vocabulary

• Fast – quick, rapid
• Slow – not moving fast
• Nice – friendly
• Strange – unusual
• Big – large
• Hot – high in temperature
• Happy – full of joy
• Crazy – insane
• Famous – well known
• Beautiful – very attractive
• Good – better than average
• Bad – evil^[2]https://www.wordreference.com/

How to Form Comparatives and Superlatives

The general rules are:

• Add –er for comparatives
• Add –est for superlatives

1 Syllable Words

For one syllable words we add –er for comparatives.

For example:

• She is faster than me. (fast)
• He is slower than her. (slow)

It is important to add the word than after a comparative.

For one syllable words we add –est for superlatives.

For example:

• She is the fastest runner in the school. (fast)
• He is the slowest runner in the school. (slow)

It is important to add the word the before a superlative.

1 Syllable Words Ending in –e

For one syllable words ending –e, we add “r” for comparatives.

For example:

• They are nicer than us. (nice)
• He is stranger than me. (strange)

For one syllable words ending in –e, we add “st” for the superlative.

For example:

• She is the nicest person in my class. (nice)
• They are the strangest people in our neighborhood. (strange)

1 Syllable Words (Consonant + Vowel + Consonant)

For one syllable words that end in consonant + vowel + consonant, we double the last consonant and add “er” for comparatives.

For example:

• He is bigger than me. (big)
• It is hotter today than yesterday. (hot)

For one syllable words that end in consonant + vowel + consonant, we double the last consonant and add “est” for superlatives.

For example:

• She is the biggest basketball player on her team. (big)
• Today is the hottest day in the year. (hot)

2 Syllable Words ending in –y

For 2 syllable words ending in –y, we delete the “y” and add “ier” for comparatives.

For example:

• She is happier than you. (happy)
• We are crazier than them. (crazy)

For 2 syllable words ending in –y, we delete the “y” and add “iest” for superlatives.

For example:

• They are the happiest people in the world. (happy)
• They are the craziest people in the world. (crazy)

2 or More Syllable Words

For words that are 2 or more syllables long, we add more + adjective for comparatives.

For example:

• I am more famous than you. (famous)
• I am more beautiful than her. (beautiful)

For words that are 2 or more syllables lone, we add most + adjective for superlatives.

For example:

• She is the most famous writer in the world. (famous)
• She is the most beautiful woman in the world. (beautiful)

Exceptions

There are some words that are exceptions and don’t follow the above rules.

For example:

Good

I am better than you.

I am the best in the world.

Bad

I am worse than you.

I am the worst in the world.

Practice Exercises