B1: Pre- Intermediate English

Comparative and Superlative

Guided Discovery

A. Dubai is hotter than The USA.

B. Metal is heavier than feathers. Heavier than
C. Riding motorbikes is more dangerous than driving a car.
D. Moscow is as cold as Siberia.
E. Ferrari is just as fast as a Porsche.

1. Identify the sentences above that are examples of the descriptions below
a) There is a comparison between two things. A,b, C
b) There is a comparison of equality.

2. Match the sentences to create rules for comparatives

a) When the adjective has one syllable

b) When the adjective has two syllables and ends in –y
c) When the adjective has two or more syllables
d) When we are comparing two nouns to be equal or almost equal

i) we add -er to the adjective/adverb and than after the adjective/adverb

ii) we add as before the adjective/ adverb and as after the adjective/ adverb
iii) we add more before the adjective/adverb and than after the adjective/adverb
iv) we replace -y for -i and add -er to the adjective and than after the
adjective/adverb

To show equal or almost equal comparison you can use the below before the adjective or
adverb:

- Almost
- Just
- A bit
- Much
- A lot

Use almost and just with as….as

Dubai is just as hot as The USA.

Dubai is almost as hot as The USA.

Don’t use much, a lot, a bit with as…as

Dubai is much hotter than The USA.

Dubai is a bit hotter than The USA.
Dubai is a lot hotter than The USA.
 A. Planes are the fastest mean of transportation
B. Africa is the hottest continent.
C. John is the funniest comedian in Europe. Funny = funniest
D. Lebanon is the most dangerous country.

1. Choose the correct rule:

A. Superlative is used to compare two nouns
B. Superlative is used to describe a noun which is at the upper or lower limit of a quality

2. Match the sentences to create rules for Superlatives

a) When the adjective has one syllable

b) When the adjective has two syllables and ends in –y
c) When the adjective has two or more syllables

v) we add -iest to the adjective/adverb and the before the adjective/adverb

vi) we add most before the adjective/adverb and the before adjective/adverb
vii) we replace -y for -i and add -est to the adjective and the before the
adjective/adverb
3. Can we use as…..as in superlative (yes / no)