Forming Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

Try to figure out the rules:

Adjective

Comparative form

Superlative form

tall
short
small

Taller
shorter
smaller

The tallest
The shortest
The smallest

Now write the rule: for comparative form we add

for superlative form we add
Mary is taller than Max.
Mary is the tallest of all the students.
Max is older than John.
If the one-syllable adjective ends with a single consonant with a vowel before it, double the consonant
and add er for the comparative form; and double the consonant and add est for the superlative form.
One-syllable adjective ending
with a single consonant with a
single vowel before it
big
thin
fat

Comparative form

Superlative form

bigger
thinner
fatter

The biggest
The thinnest
The fattest

My dog is bigger than your dog.

My dog is the biggest of all the dogs in the neighborhood.
Max is thinner than John.
With most two-syllable adjectives, you form the comparative with more and the superlative with most
Two-Syllable Adjective
peaceful
pleasant
careful

Comparative form
more peaceful
more pleasant
more careful

Superlative form
The most peaceful
The most pleasant
The most careful

This morning is more peaceful than yesterday morning.

Max's house in the mountains is the most peaceful in the world.
Max is more careful than Mike.
If the two-syllable adjectives ends with y, change the y to i and add er for the comparative form. For
the superlative form change the y to i and add est
happy

happier

happiest

angry

angrier

angriest

busy

busier

busiest

Exceptions
Irregular Adjective
good
well
bad
ill
far
little
many/much
old
late

Comparative Form
better
better
worse
worse
Farther/further
less
more
elder
later

farther used for length or distance

Superlative Form
the best
the best
the worst
the worst
the farthest/furthest
the least
the most
the eldest
latest or last

London is farther north than Paris. (Refers to distance)

further used for time or amount, meaning "much", "additional.

This plan requires further study. (Meaning "additional study," refers to amount)
last: final
latest: most recent

This is his last wish.

This is the latest movie.

These adjectives can be used with -er and -est and with more and most.
Two-Syllable Adjective
clever
gentle
friendly
quiet
simple

Comparative Form
cleverer/ more clever
gentler/ more gentle
friendlier/ more friendly
quieter /more quiet
simpler/ more simple

Superlative Form
cleverest/ most clever
gentlest/ most gentle
friendliest/ most friendly
quietest /most quiet
simplest/ most simple

To compare people, places, events or things, when there is no difference, use as + adjective + as:
Peter is as old as John.
Moscow is as cold as St. Petersburg in the winter.
Einstein is as famous as Darwin.
A tiger is as dangerous as a lion.
In informal English, the following construction is often used: Not As ... As
He is not as clever as his brother.

Complete the sentences using the comparative form

1. Do you think Pat is _________________ than Brian? (intelligent)
2. This school is _________________ than ours. (old-fashioned)
3. The computer was _________________ than 1 thought. (expensive)
4. The rooms are _________________ than they used to be. (clean)
5. He eats a lot - he's getting ______________ and _____________ (fat)
6. His face was getting ______________ and______________ (red)
7. I'm sure I'll find New York _________________ than Houston. (exciting)
8. Their ticket was _____________ than mine because they flew on Sunday. (cheap)