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Comparative of superiority
Short adjectives and adverbs (monosyllabic/dissyllabic) Adjective (er) + than E.g. This bag is heavier than that. E.g. My house is bigger than Mike's. Long adjectives (disyllabic/polysyllabic)
Comparative of equality
Short and long adjectives
Affirmative: As + adjective + as
E.g. Peter is as tall as Jim. E.g. I don't know as many people as you do. Negative: Not + so/as + adjective E.g. I do not know as many people as you do. E.g. The city centre was not as crowded this morning as it usually is. Comparative of inferiority Short and long adjectives: Less + adjective + than E.g. My camera was less expensive than yours. E.g. Your house is less big than Bill's. Note: The comparative of inferiority is less used, usually is replaced by comparative of equality at negative form:
Notes - Comparative
Older and elder - The comparative of old is older:
We use elder when we we are talking about members of a family. We say (my/your...) elder sister/ brother/ son, daughter:
We use elder only before a noun: your elder son is tall. We use as...as (but not "so...as") in positive sentences and in questions:
There's plenty of food, so eat as much as you like. Let's walk. It's just as quick as taking the bus.
Petrol is twice as expensive as it was a few years ago. Their house is about three times as big as ours.
Superlative of Superiority
Short adjectives - Monosyllabic In general we use -est for shorter words.
Yesterday was the coldest day in eighteen years. This is the cheapest hotel in the city.
That was the most boring film, I've ever seen. He's the most intelligent pupil in his class.
He is the least intelligent of all. This car is the least fast of all.