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Adjectives – Comparative and Superlative

Adjectives can be used to compare nouns and/or pronouns. Comparatives and superlatives are special adjectives that compare two (comparatives) or more (superlatives) things. Most comparatives are formed by adding -er to an adjective, and most superlatives are formed by adding -est. Superlatives are usually preceded by the (the fastest).

Comparatives

A comparative adjective is used to compare two things or beings. It is usually formed by adding -er to all  one-syllable adjectives and some two-syllable adjectives. More + adjective is used when -er doesn’t fit. When two nouns are being compare in a sentence, the preposition than is used to link them.

John is smarter than Tom.
Your music is nicer than my music.
Labradors are bigger than Chihuahuas.
Susan is happier today.
Jane is more intelligent than Mary.

Spelling
Here are the rules for making adjectives into comparative adjectives:

  • Short Adjectives: add -er
    poorer, shorter, richer, faster, newer, older, etc.
  • Short Adjectives that end with ‘e’: add – r
    larger, stranger, wiser, etc.
  • Short Adjectives that end with CVC*: double the last Consonant and add -er
    bigger, thinner, fatter, hotter, etc.
    CVC EXCEPTIONS:
    Words that end with -x, -w, and -y In these cases, just add -er
  • Adjectives that end with -y: remove the -y and add -ier
    happier, funnier, dirtier, uglier, etc.
  • long adjectives: use more before the adjective.
    more intelligent, more attractive, more expensive, more beautiful, etc.

Superlatives

A superlative adjectives are used to compare three or more nouns and/or pronouns. It is usually formed by adding -est to all  one-syllable adjectives and some two-syllable adjectives. The most + adjective is used when -est doesn’t fit.

He drives the fastest car.
She was the bravest child.
Yesterday was the hottest day of the summer.
She tells the silliest jokes.
That’s the most beautiful painting I’ve ever seen.

Spelling
Here are the rules for making adjectives into superlative adjectives:

  • Short Adjectives: add -est
    poorest, shortest, richest, fastest, newest, oldest, etc.
  • Short Adjectives that end with ‘e’: add – st
    largest, strangest, wisest, etc.
  • Short Adjectives that end with CVC*: double the last Consonant and add -est
    biggest, thinnest, fattest, hottest, etc.
    CVC EXCEPTIONS:
    Words that end with -x, -w, and -y In these cases, just add -est
  • Adjectives that end with -y: remove the -y and add -iest
    happiest, funniest, dirtiest, ugliest, etc.
  • long adjectives: use the most before the adjective.
    the most intelligent, the most attractive, the most expensive, the most beautiful, etc.

Irregular Comparatives and Superlatives

Some adjectives don’t follow any of the above rules. Take a look:

AdjectiveComparative Superlative
good better (than)the best
bad worse (than) the worst
little less (than) the least
much more (than) the most
far further (than) / farther (than) the furthest / the farthest

* CVC  means Consonant-Vowel-Consonant

Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

Test your knowledge of comparative and superlative forms of adjectives with these 12 multiple-choice questions. Choose the correct option for each question and see how well you understand these important English language concepts

1 / 12

What is the superlative form of the adjective "smart"?

2 / 12

Which sentence uses the comparative form correctly?

3 / 12

Choose the correct form of the adjective to complete the sentence: "Mount Everest is _____ mountain in the world."

4 / 12

Which sentence uses the superlative form correctly?

5 / 12

Complete the sentence with the correct form of the adjective: "Of all the students, Maria is _____.

6 / 12

What is the comparative form of the adjective "interesting"?

7 / 12

Choose the correct form of the adjective to complete the sentence: "This is _____ movie I have ever seen."

8 / 12

Which sentence uses the comparative form correctly?

9 / 12

What is the superlative form of the adjective "famous"?

10 / 12

Complete the sentence with the correct form of the adjective: "This is _____ film I've ever seen."

11 / 12

Which sentence uses the superlative form correctly?

12 / 12

What is the comparative form of the adjective "expensive"?

Your score is

The average score is 89%

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