ADJECTIVE COMPARISONS

Comparisons are used to compare only two things. There are three different
structures to use for comparisons:
1. If the adjective is one syllable (tall), add -er (taller).
2. If the adjective is two syllables and ends with -y (busy), change the
y to i and then add -er (busier).
3. If the adjective is two syllables or more (handsome/expensive), put
more before it (more handsome/more expensive).
If the people or things being compared are used in the sentence, put than
after the comparative form (taller than/busier than/more expensive
than).
Superlatives are used to compare three or more things:
1. If the adjective is one syllable (tall), add -est (tallest). Also put the
before it (the tallest).
2. If the adjective is two syllables and ends with -y (busy), change they to i
and then add -est (busiest). Also put the before it (the busiest).
3. If the adjective is two syllables or more (handsome/expensive), put
the most before it (the most handsome/the most expensive).
STRATEGIES FOR ADJECTIVE COMPARISON ITEMS
ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS:
Is it a comparison of two things? If so, is than used?
INCORRECT [He seems more qualified then he is.]
CORRECT
He seems more qualified than he is.
Is it a comparison of more than two things? If so, does the precede the
adjective?
INCORRECT [Our company submitted highest bid]
CORRECT
Our company submitted the highest bid.
Are two equal things being compared? If so, is as + adjective + as

being used?
INCORRECT [They are not experienced as they could be]
CORRECT They are not as experienced as they could be.
Is there an irregular adjective form? If so, be sure to memorize it.
IRREGULAR ADJECTIVES
SUPERLATIVE FORMS
good
bad
far
little
many, much

better

COMPARATIVE FORMS

best

worse
farther, further
less
more
most

worst
farthest, furthest
least

INCORRECT [This is the good evaluation Ive ever gotten.]

CORRECT
This is the best evaluation Ive ever gotten.
1. His last (A) test results showed he was the quickest (B) typist, yet he was
the less (C) accurate of all (D) the applicants.
Yet (conj.) despite what has just been said
SYN Nevertheless:
Ex: Its a small car, yet its surprisingly spacious.
Accurate (adj.) correct and true in every detail:
an accurate description /
account / calculation
Applicant (for sth) a person who makes a formal request for sth (= applies
for it), especially for a job, a place at a college or university, etc.:
Ex: There were over 500 applicants for the job.
2. Best (A) available predictions in some of the most widely read (B) trade
papers indicate better (C) days are ahead for the top (D) manufacturers.
Prediction a statement that says what you think will happen; the act of
making such a statement:
Ex: Not many people agree with the governments prediction that the
economy will improve.

To indicate to show that sth is true or exists:

Ex: Record profits in the retail market indicate a boom in the economy.
Manufacturer (n) a person or company that produces goods in large
quantities
SYN maker:
a car / computer manufacturer
3. Our most promising (A) employee seems more cooperative (B) now she
(C) was when she was younger (D).
Promising (adj.) showing signs of being good or successful
4. Almost everyone has heard the more famous (A) Olympic saying:
Stronger (B), Higher (C), Faster (D).
5. The new (A) employees enjoyed their first (B) day at work, although
everyone agreed that (C) the lunch was the bad (D) food they had ever
eaten.
6. Even though their first (A) proposal was considered better (B) and more
thorough (C), it wasnt complete as (D) ours.
Proposal (for sth) | Proposal (to do sth) | Proposal (that ) a formal
suggestion or plan; the act of making a suggestion:
to submit / consider / accept /
reject a proposal
Thorough (adj.) doing things very carefully and with great attention to
detail:
Shes very thorough
7. We like to take our preferred (A) clients to that newly opened (B) Middle
Eastern restaurant where the service is best than (C) average and the
food is superb (D).
Superb (adj.) excellent; of very good quality
8. The latest (A) addition to our company, Ms. Nakamura, attended one of
the wellest (B) known universities, had some of the most famous (C)
business instructors, and scored among the highest (D) in her graduating
class.

9. Best (A) late than never is one of the oldest (B) proverbs used in most
(C) English-speaking countries and is said to someone who arrives later
than (D) everybody else.
10. Soon as (A) you see the first (B) attempt by the patient (C) to speak,
press the topmost (D) button on this control to alert the nurse.
Topmost (adj.) [only before noun] (formal) highest:
: The topmost branches of the tree
To alert to warn sb about a dangerous or urgent situation:
Ex: Neighbours quickly alerted the emergency services.
THANK YOU!