Focus: Comparative and superlative

General Rules for Comparatives and Superlatives

  Adjective or
Comparative Superlative
Adverb

small smaller (the) smallest

fast faster (the) fastest

One-syllable adjectives
large larger (the) largest

big bigger (Note the spelling (the) biggest

here)

thoughtful more/less thoughtful (the) most/least

Most two-syllable adjectives thoughtful

useful more/less useful (the) most/least useful

carefully more/less carefully (the) most/least carefully

Adverbs ending in -ly
slowly more/less slowly (the) most/least slowly

sleepy sleepier (the) sleepiest

Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y
happy happier (the) happiest

Two-syllable adjectives ending with –er, -le, -or, narrow narrower (the) narrowest
or –ow
gentle gentler (the) gentlest

intelligent more/less intelligent (the) most/least

Three or more syllable adjectives intelligent

important more/less important (the) most/least

important
Two-Syllable Adjectives That Follow Two Rules (either form is correct)
Adjective Comparative Superlative

more/less clever (the) most/least clever

clever
cleverer (the) cleverest

simple more/less simple (the) most/least simple

simpler (the) simplest

friendly more/less friendly (the) most/least friendly

friendlier (the) friendliest

Irregular Adjectives
Adjectiv
Comparative Superlative
e

good better (the) best

bad worse (the) worst

far farther (the) farthest

little less (the) least

few fewer (the) fewest