comparatives

Comparatives and Superlatives

by

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
comparatives and 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

 10%

Question 1 of 10

1. I bought the ______ car. (expensive)

Question 1 of 10

Question 2 of 10

2. The sun is ______ than the earth. (hot)

Question 2 of 10

Question 3 of 10

3. I had the ______ day of  my life. (bad)

Question 3 of 10

Question 4 of 10

4. She is ______ than me. (tall)

Question 4 of 10

Question 5 of 10

5. Who is the ______ actor in Hollywood. (famous)

Question 5 of 10

Question 6 of 10

6. Tigers are ______ than rabbits. (dangerous)

Question 6 of 10

Question 7 of 10

7. Elephants are ______ than mice. (big)

Question 7 of 10

Question 8 of 10

8. Ice cream is ______ than carrots. (tasty)

Question 8 of 10

Question 9 of 10

9. What is the ______ country in the world. (big)

Question 9 of 10

Question 10 of 10

10. I am the ______ person in my class. (small)

Question 10 of 10


 

References[+]