Grammar 4 Module

CHAPTER 7:
COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE FORMS

A. LEARNING OBJECTIVE

This chapter will discuss about comparative and superlative. After you learn

this chapter, it is expected that you will be able to:

7.1 Know how to use comparative and superlative forms of one-syllable adverb and

adjective

7.2 Know how to use comparative and superlative forms of adverb and adjective: more

and most

7.3 Know the irregular comparative and superlative forms of adverb and adjective

B. MATERIAL DESCRIPTION

Comparative and superlative are used for comparisons for adjectives and adverbs. This

comparative form is used to compare two items, people, places, or ideas, while the

superlative form is used to compare more than two.

Short adjectives (one syllable or two syllables ending in -y or -le) and one-syllable

adverbs, the ending -er is needed to be added for the comparative and the ending -est is

needed to be added for the superlative. (Change -y to -i if the -y is preceded by a

consonant: icy, icier, iciest.)

To be noted, the is used before the superlative form.

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Word Comparative Superlative

fast faster fastest

pretty prettier prettiest

simple simpler simplest

short shorter shortest

For longer adjectives and adverbs that end in -ly, more and most are needed to be

added. While less and least are used with adjectives of any length (such as bright, less

bright, least bright).

Word Comparative Superlative

intelligent more most

intelligent intelligent

carefully more most

carefully carefully

dangerous less least

dangerous dangerous

The dictionary can help if it is difficult to decide certain words whether they use an -er/-

est form or more/most. If there is an -er/-est form, the dictionary will say so.

Note: The -er form can not be used with more or the -est form can not be used

with most.

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Incorrect The first song was more better than the second.

Revised The first song was better than the second.

Irregular Forms

There are irregular comparative and superlative forms. The following are the examples.

Word Comparative Superlative

good better best

bad worse worst

much/many more most

well better best

badly worse worst

Using than with Comparative Forms

The word than is used to compare two people, places, objects, or ideas. It is to let the

reader know what you are comparing with what.

Incorrect This is more efficient.

Revised This is more efficient than the previous one.

In an idiomatic way, comparative forms are used without than

Example: The harder you try, the more satisfied you feel.

The more, the merrier.

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C. COMPREHENSION TEST

1. Write 5 comparative sentences using adjectives or adverbs

2. Write superlative sentences using adjectives or adverbs.

D. BIBLIOGRAPHY

 Azar, Betty S. 1999. Understanding and Using English Grammar Third Edition.
New York: Longman

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