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THE SUPERLATIVE
COMPARATIVE ADJECTIVES
Comparative adjectives are used to compare differences between the two objects they modify
(larger, smaller, faster, higher). They are used in sentences where two nouns are compared, in
this pattern:
The second item of comparison can be omitted if it is clear from the context (final example
below).
EXAMPLES
My house is larger than hers.
This box is smaller than the one I lost.
Your dog runs faster than Jim's dog.
The rock flew higher than the roof.
Jim and Jack are both my friends, but I like Jack better. ("than Jim" is understood)
SUPERLATIVE ADJECTIVES
Superlative adjectives are used to describe an object which is at the upper or lower limit of a
quality (the tallest, the smallest, the fastest, the highest). They are used in sentences where a
subject is compared to a group of objects.
The group that is being compared with can be omitted if it is clear from the context (final
example below).
EXAMPLES
My house is the largest one in our neighborhood.
This is the smallest box I've ever seen.
Your dog ran the fastest of any dog in the race.
We all threw our rocks at the same time. My rock flew the highest. ("of all the rocks" is
understood)
TWO SYLLABLES
Adjectives with two syllables can form the comparative either by adding -er or by preceeding the
adjective with more. These adjectives form the superlative either by adding -est or by
preceeding the adjective with most. In many cases, both forms are used, although one usage
will be more common than the other. If you are not sure whether a two-syllable adjective can
take a comparative or superlative ending, play it safe and use moreand most instead. For
adjectives ending in y, change the y to an i before adding the ending.
Comparative/superlative
good-better-the best
bad-worse-the worst
The following guidelines apply to
the comparative/superlative of most adverbs:
Many educated English speakers prefer to use the nominative plus a verb rather
than the accusative in such comparative sentences, especially in formal situations.
They say, for example, My sister is taller than I am. or She ran more quickly than I
did.
The alternative, omitting the verb as in the following examples, is considered to be
even more formal and is avoided by most British English speakers: My sister is
taller than I. or She ran more quickly than I.
One-syllable Adjectives
To form the comparative, we add -er to the end of the adjective.
* When an adjective ends in the letter E, we just add the -R (for comparatives) or -ST (for
superlatives). We do not write two Es together. Wider (correct) not wideer (incorrect).
** When an adjective ends in a consonant + short vowel + consonant (C + V + C), we
normally double the last letter. big - bigger - biggest, wet - wetter - wettest
Notice how comparatives are often followed by than when comparing two things or people.
To form the superlative, we remove the -y and add -iest to the end of the adjective.
Irregular Forms
Adjective Comparative Superlative
Puerto Montt is further / farther than Valdivia is from here (in Santiago).
If you require further information, please contact reception.
Remember that the opposites of 'more' and 'most' are 'less' and 'least', respectively.
He is my elder brother. (We cannot say: My brother is elder than me. - incorrect)
The eldest sister would pass on her dresses to the younger one.
Commonly, adjectives that contain only one syllable or end in 'y' use 'er' to form
comparatives and 'est' to form superlatives. For adjectives ending in y, change the 'y' to
'i' before adding the 'er' or 'est'.
Adjectives with two or more syllables do not change but instead add more to form
comparatives and most to form superlatives.
[Quiz 8.1]
Write the appropriate comparative or superlative form of the word cold in each blank.
[Quiz 8.2]
If the adjective ends in 'e', we don't add another 'e', just 'r'.
Even when the adjective has only one syllable, it's still not
wrong to use 'more' or 'most'. It's possible to say 'more wet' or
'most tall'. This isn't incorrect.
But some two syllable adjectives can take 'er' or 'est'. It's also
fine to use 'more' (for the comparative) or 'most' (for the
superlative).
clever cleverer / cleverest
simple simpler / simplest
narrow narrower / narrowest
quiet quieter / quietest
Adjectives with two syllables that end in 'y' usually can add 'er'
or 'est' (y generally changes to i). It's also fine to use 'more' or
'most'.
Adjectives with more than two syllables can only make their
comparative by using 'more' and their superlative by using
'most'.
Irregular adjectives