Comparatives and superlatives
COMPARATIVE AND
SUPERLATIVE ADJECTIVES
Comparatives
Comparatives are used to show the difference
between two objects. Let’s say that I have two
cars. I have a little Toyota and a big Ford. A
comparative is used to show the difference
between the two. The Ford is big so we can say
“the Ford is bigger than the Toyota”. Because the
Toyota is small, we can say “The Toyota is smaller
than the Ford”. To learn to use these we need to
learn five basic rules.
• Rule 1. If an adjective has 1
syllable we add the ending –er to
the adjective.
– i.e. small + er = smaller than
– i.e. hard + er = harder than
The ant is smaller
than the hippo.
• Rule 2. If a one syllable adjective
ends with a consonant + a vowel
+ a consonant you must double
the last consonant and then ad –
er.
i.e. big + e
r = bigger than
i.e. fat + er = fatter than
The elephant is fatter
than the giraffe.
• Rule 3. If an adjective ends with
a “y”, remove the “y” and add –
ier.
i.e. happy –y + ier = happier than
i.e. funny –y + ier = funnier than
The girl is happier
than the duck.
• Rule 4. If an adjective has two
syllables or more without a “y”
then add the word “more” before
the word. If the adjective ends
with a “y”, you will only add the
word “more” if it has three
syllables or more.
i.e. beautiful + more = more
beautiful than
The butterfly is more
i.e. expensive + more = more
expensive than
i.e. satisfactory + more = more beautiful than the
satisfactory than frog.
• Rule 5. There are a few exceptions.
good = better than
bad = worse than
far = farther than
• Remember, when using a comparative you must always follow it with
the word “than”.
The Toyota is smaller than the Ford.
The Ford is bigger than the Toyota.
The ant is smaller than the hippo.
The elephant is fatter than the giraffe.
The girl is happier than the duck.
The butterfly is more beautiful than the frog.
Superlatives
Superlatives are used to show the difference
between more than two objects. Let’s say that I
have three cars. I have a little Toyota, a
medium size Jeep and a big Ford. A
superlative is used to show the differences that
exist in the group. The Ford is big so we can
say “the Ford is the biggest”. Because the
Toyota is small, we can say “The Toyota is the
smallest”. To learn to use these we need to
learn five basic rules.
• Rule 1. If an adjective has 1
syllable we add the ending –est
to the adjective.
i.e. small + est = the smallest
i.e. hard + est = the hardest
The ant is the smallest.
• Rule 2. If a one syllable adjective
ends with a consonant + a vowel
+ a consonant you must double
the last consonant and ad –est.
i.e. big + est = the biggest
i.e. fat + est = the fattest
The hippo is the fattest.
• Rule 3. If an adjective ends with
a “y”, remove the “y” and add –
iest.
i.e. happy –y + iest = the happiest
i.e. funny –y + iest = the funniest
The elephant is the
heaviest.
• Rule 4. If an adjective has two
syllables or more without a “y”
then add the word “most” before
the word. If the adjective ends
with a “y”, you will only add the
word “most” if it has three
syllables or more.
i.e. beautiful + most = the most
beautiful
i.e. expensive + most = the most
expensive
i.e. satisfactory + most = the most
satisfactory
The airplane is the
most expensive.
• Rule 5. There are a few exceptions.
good = the best
bad = the worst
far = the farthest
• Remember, when using a superlative you must always precede it with the
word “the”.
The Toyota is the smallest.
The Ford is the biggest.
Brad Pitt is the most handsome.
The airplane is the most expensive.
Jim Carrey is the funniest.
Comparatives
1. Today is colder than yerterday
2. China is bigger than Italy
3. She is younger than her brother
4. He is older than his friend
5. I stayed longer than I expected
6. My car is newer than yours
7. His house is bigger than mine
8. Tea is cheaper than champagne
9. We are smarter than they
10.I am taller than my bothers
Superlatives
1. She is the smartest person I know
2. Today is the coldest day I can remenber
3. China is the biggest country I have visited
4. She is the youngest in her family
5. He is the oldest man I know
6. I am the tallest in the class
7. I am the happiest man in the world
8. He is the fastest runner I have ever seen
9. This is the narrowest road I have ever seen
10.She is living in the smallest house in town
