Comparatives-Superlatives

Form
One-Syllable Adjective Comparative Form Superlative Form
tall
taller
tallest
long
One-Syllable Adjective with Final -e
large
Larger
largest
wise
One-Syllable Adjective Ending with Vowel+Consonant
Big
bigger
biggest
Fat
Two-Syllable Adjective Ending with -y
happy
happier
happiest
busy
Two-Syllable Adjective Ending with
-er, -le, or -ow
narrow
narrower
narrowest
gentle
Two-Syllable Adjective
careful
more careful
most careful
thoughtful
Adjective with Three or More Syllables
important
more important
most important
intelligent

Exceptions
Irregular Adjective
good
bad
far
little
many

Comparative Form Superlative Form

better
best
worse
worst
farther
farthest
less
least
more
most

Use and examples

1. We use comparatives to compare two things.

John is thinner than Bob.
It's more expensive to travel by train than by bus.
My house is smaller than my friend's house.
2. We use superlatives to compare one thing with the rest of the group it belongs to.
John is the tallest in the class.
He's the best football player in the team.
This is the most expensive hotel I've ever stayed in.

Important points
1. We use as + adjective + as to say that two things are equal in some way.
He's as tall as me.
Jim's car is as fast as mine.
2. We use not as to say that two things are not equal in some way.
He's not as tall as me.
Jim's car is not as fast as mine.
3. We can modify comparatives with much, a lot, far, a little, a bit, slightly.
Bob is much richer than I am.
My mother's hair is slightly longer than mine.
4. We can use no or any.
Their car is big, but it isnt any bigger than ours.
Their car is big, but its no bigger than ours.
5. We can repeat comparatives to say that something is changing.
These exams are getting worse and worse every year.
She gets more and more beautiful every time I see her.
6. We can use the + comparative ..the + comparative when one thing depends on
another.
The more expensive the hotel, the better the service.