What Are Comparatives and Superlatives?
* Comparative adjectives/adverbs are used to compare the differences between two things. (e.g., faster, more expensive)
* Superlative adjectives/adverbs are used to describe the extreme quality of one thing in a group of three or more. (e.g., fastest, most expensive)
How to Form Comparatives and Superlatives
The rules for forming comparatives and superlatives depend on the number of syllables in the original adjective or adverb.
1. One-Syllable Adjectives and Adverbs
For short, one-syllable words, add -er for the comparative and -est for the superlative.
| Adjective | Comparative (-er) | Superlative (-est) |
|---|---|---|
| tall | taller | tallest |
| fast | faster | fastest |
| cheap | cheaper | cheapest |
| old | older | oldest |
Spelling Rules for One-Syllable Words:
* If the word ends in -e, just add -r and -st. (e.g., large -> larger -> largest)
* If the word ends in a consonant + single vowel + consonant, double the final consonant. (e.g., big -> bigger -> biggest; hot -> hotter -> hottest)
2. Two-Syllable Adjectives and Adverbs
This category has some variations:
* If the word ends in -y, change the -y to an -i and add -er or -est.
| Adjective | Comparative (-ier) | Superlative (-iest) |
|---|---|---|
| happy | happier | happiest |
| busy | busier | busiest |
| easy | easier | easiest |
* For most other two-syllable words, you use more for the comparative and the most for the superlative.
| Adjective | Comparative (more) | Superlative (the most) |
|---|---|---|
| modern | more modern | the most modern |
| peaceful | more peaceful | the most peaceful |
| famous | more famous | the most famous |
* Some two-syllable words can use either form (e.g., clever -> cleverer/more clever; simple -> simpler/more simple). When in doubt, using "more" and "most" is usually a safe choice.
3. Adjectives and Adverbs with Three or More Syllables
For longer words, always use more and the most.
| Adjective | Comparative (more) | Superlative (the most) |
|---|---|---|
| expensive | more expensive | the most expensive |
| beautiful | more beautiful | the most beautiful |
| intelligent | more intelligent | the most intelligent |
| efficiently | more efficiently | the most efficiently |
Irregular Comparatives and Superlatives
Some of the most common adjectives and adverbs are irregular and must be memorized.
| Adjective/Adverb | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| good | better | the best |
| well | better | the best |
| bad | worse | the worst |
| far | farther/further | the farthest/furthest |
| little | less | the least |
| many/much | more | the most |
Note on Farther/Further:
* Farther/Farthest usually refers to physical distance. (The station is farther down the road.)
* Further/Furthest can refer to physical distance or metaphorical/abstract distance. (We need to discuss this further.)
How to Use Them in Sentences
Using Comparatives
When comparing two items, the sentence structure usually involves than.
Formula: Subject + Verb + Comparative Adjective + than + Object
* This car is faster than my old one.
* She is more intelligent than her brother.
* He speaks English more fluently than I do.
You can also modify a comparative to show a big or small difference using words like much, a lot, a bit, slightly.
* This hotel is much more expensive than the last one.
* My new apartment is a little bigger than my old one.
Using Superlatives
Superlatives compare one thing against the entire group and are almost always preceded by the.
Formula: Subject + Verb + the + Superlative Adjective + Group/Context
The group is often introduced with prepositions like in or of.
* Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world.
* She is the most talented musician in the orchestra.
* This is the worst movie I have ever seen. (The group is "all movies I have seen.")
Common Mistakes to Avoid
* Double Comparatives/Superlatives: Do not use "-er" and "more" together, or "-est" and "most" together.
* Incorrect: This book is ~~more better~~ than the first one.
* Correct: This book is better than the first one.
* Incorrect: She is the ~~most smartest~~ person in the class.
* Correct: She is the smartest person in the class.
* Using the Wrong Form: Remember to use the comparative for two things and the superlative for three or more.
* Incorrect: Between the two, she is the ~~tallest~~.
* Correct: Between the two, she is the taller.
* Forgetting "than" or "the": These small words are crucial for correct sentence structure.
* Incorrect: My car is faster ~~his car~~.
* Correct: My car is faster than his car.
* Incorrect: He is ~~fastest~~ runner on the team.
* Correct: He is the fastest runner on the team.
* Incomplete Comparisons: Make sure your comparison is logical and complete.
* Illogical: This restaurant's pizza is better than the other restaurant.
* Logical: This restaurant's pizza is better than the other restaurant's pizza (or the one at the other restaurant).
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