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Adjective Comparative Superlative

Form the comparative and superlative forms of a one-syllable adjective by adding er for the
comparative form and est for the superlative.
tall
cold
long

Comparative
taller
colder
longer

Superlative
tallest
coldest
longest

If the one-syllable adjective ends with an e, just add r for the comparative form and st for the
superlative form.
large
wise

Comparative
larger
wiser

Superlative
largest
wisest

If the one-syllable adjective end 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.
big
thin
fat

Comparative
bigger
thinner
fatter

Superlative
biggest
thinnest
fattest

Two-syllable adjectives.
With most two-syllable adjectives, you form the comparative with more and the superlative with
most.
peaceful
pleasant
careful
thoughtful

Comparative
more peaceful
more pleasant
more careful
more thoughtful

Superlative
most peaceful
most pleasant
most careful
most thoughtful

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
angry
busy

Comparative
happier
angrier
busier

Superlative
happiest
angriest
busiest

Two-syllable adjectives ending in er, -le, or ow take er and est to form the comparative
and superlative forms.
narrow
gentle

Comparative
narrower
gentler

Superlative
narrowest
gentlest

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Adjectives with three or more syllables.
For adjectives with three syllables or more, you form the comparative with more and the
superlative with most.
generous
important
intelligent

Comparative
more generous
more important
more intelligent

Superlative
most generous
most important
most intelligent

Comparative
better
worse
farther
less
more

Superlative
best
worst
farthest
least
most

Exceptions.
Irregular adjectives.
good
bad
far
little
many

Two-syllable adjectives that follow two rules. These adjectives can be used with -er and -est
and with more and most.
clever
clever
gentle
gentle
friendly
friendly
quiet
quiet
simple
simple

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

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

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How to apply:
Adjective

Comparative

Superlative

big

bigger than

the biggest

busy

busier than

the busiest

exciting

more exciting than

the most exciting

pretty

prettier than

the prettiest

tall

taller than

the tallest

interesting

more interesting
than

the most interesting

good

better than

the best

happy

happier than

the happiest

sad

sadder than

the saddest

unusual

more unusual than

the most unusual

bad

worse than

the worst

short

shorter than

the shortest

amazing

more amazing than

the most amazing

red

redder than

the reddest

green

greener than

the greenest

sleepy

sleepier than

the sleepiest

wonderful

more wonderful than

the most wonderful

terrible

more terrible than

the most terrible

large

larger than

the largest

hot

hotter than

the hottest

expensive

more expensive than

the most expensive

old

older than

the oldest

fascinating

more fascinating
than

the most fascinating