Word

Comparativ Superlative
e

short

shorter

shortest

pretty

prettier

prettiest

simple

simpler

simplest

fast

faster

fastest

With longer adjectives and with adverbs ending in

-ly, add more and most. Note: less and least are used with adjectives of any
length (such as bright, less bright, least bright).
Word

Comparativ Superlative
e

intelligent more
intelligent

most
intelligent

carefully

most
carefully

more
carefully

dangerou less
s
dangerous

least
dangerous

If you cannot decide whether to use an -er/-est form or more/most, consult a

dictionary. If there is an -er/-est form, the dictionary will say so.
Note: Do not use the -er form with more or the -est form with most.
Faulty

The first poem was more better than the second.

Revised

The first poem was better than the second.

Irregular Forms
The following are irregular comparative and superlative forms.
Word

Comparativ Superlative
e

good

better

best

bad

worse

worst

much/many

more

most

well

better

best

bad

worse

worst

Irregular Comparisons
A few of the comparatives and superlatives in English do not follow the usual
pattern. Here is a list of common exceptions.
Positive

Comparative

Superlative

bad

worse

worst

badly

worse

worst

far(distance)

farther

farthest

far(extent)

further

furthest

good

better

best

ill

worse

worst

late

later

latest or last

less

lesser

least

little(amount)

less

least

many

more

most

much

more

most

well

better

best

Irregular adjectives use completely different forms. Note, however, that some
adjectives can be both regular and irregular, sometimes with a slight change in
meaning. The most important irregular adjectives are listed in the table below.

adjective

compara
tive

superla
tive

good

better

the best

Tara is the best athlete in the

school.

well (healthy)

better

the best

He is still in hospital, but he is

better than he was last week.

bad

worse

the
worst

You are the worst driver I have ever

known.

far

further

the
furthest

My house is the furthest one.

example sentence

compara
tive

superla
tive

farther

the
farthest

My house is the farther one.

old (people in a
family)

elder

the
eldest

Ram is my elder brother.

old (general
use)

older

the
oldest

Your teacher is older than my

teacher.

adjective

example sentence