COMPARATIVES/SUPERLATIVES

With -er/-est
clean - cleaner (than)- (the) cleanest
1) Adjectives with one syllable
positive

comparativ
e

superlative

clean

cleaner

cleanest

new

newer

newest

cheap

cheaper

cheapest

nice*

nicer

nicest

smart*

smarter

smartest

hot*

hotter

hottest

* adjectives with different spelling / formation rules

2) Adjectives with two syllables, ending in -y

positive

comparativ
e

superlative

dirty

dirtier

dirtiest

ugly

uglier

ugliest

happy

happier

happiest

pretty

prettier

prettiest

funny

funnier

funniest

3) Spelling of the adjectives using the endings -er/-est

positi
ve

comparati
ve

superlati
ve

comment

large

larger

largest

leave out the silent -e

big

bigger

biggest

sad

sadder

saddest

Double the consonant after short

vowel

dirty

dirtier

dirtiest

Change -y to -i (consonant before

-y)

shy

shyer

shyest

Here -y is not changed to -i.

(although consonant before -y)

With more most

difficult more difficult (than)- (the) most difficult
1) Adjectives with three or more syllables
positive

comparative

superlative

difficult

more difficult

most difficult

interesting

more interesting

most interesting

luxurous

more luxurous

most luxurous

colorful

more colorful

most colorful

responsible

more responsible

most responsible

attractive

more attractive

most attractive

critical

more attractive

most attractive

2) Adjectives with two syllables, NOT ending in y

positive

comparative

superlative

fearful

more fearful

most fearful

modern

more modern

most modern

complex

more complex

most complex

boring

more boring

most boring

IRREGULAR ADJECTIVES
Some adjectives do not follow the rules explained before:

positiv
e

comparativ
superlative
e

good

better

best

bad

worse

worst

far

farther
further

farthest
furthest

mostly for distance

mostly for time

much

more

most

uncountable nouns

many

more

most

countable nouns

little

less

least

comment

SPECIAL ADJECTIVES
Some adjectives have two possible forms of comparison (-er/est and
more/most).
Adjectives with two syllables, ending in -er
positive

comparative

superlative

clever

cleverer / more clever

cleverest / most clever

slender

slenderer / more slender

slenderest / most slender

bitter

bitterer / more bitter

bitterest / most bitter

tender

tenderer / more tender

tenderest / most tender

Adjectives with two syllables, ending in -le

positive

comparative

superlative

simple

simpler / more simple

simplest / most simple

subtle

subtler / more subtle

Subtlest / most subtle

gentle

gentler / more gentle

gentlest / most gentle

humble

humble / more humble

humblest / most humble

Adjectives with two syllables, ending in -ow

positive

comparative

superlative

narrow

narrower / more

narrowest / most

shallow

shallower / more shallow

shallowest / most shallow

hollow

hollower / more hollow

hollowest / most hollow

Adjectives with two syllables, ending in -some

positive

comparative

superlative

handsome

handsomer / more
handsome

handsomest / most handsome

awesome

awesomer / more awesome

awesomest / most awesome

Other adjectives
positive

comparative

superlative

likely

likelier / more likely

likeliest / most likely

pleasant

pleasanter / more pleasant

pleasantest / most pleasant

polite

politer / more polite

politest / most polite

quiet

quieter / more quiet

quietest / most quiet

stupid

stupider / more stupid

stupidest / most stupid

sure

surer / more sure

surest / most sure

DIFFERENCE IN MEANING WITH ADJECTIVES:

positive
late

old
near

comparative

superlative

comment

later

latest

latter

last

older

oldest

people and things

elder

eldest

people (family)

nearer

nearest

distance

next

order