Comparative Adjective Rules

Rule 1:

One syllable: Add er to comparative form, and est to superlative form.

positive comparative superlative

tall taller The tallest

old older The oldest

long
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Rule 2: Final e

Add r for comparative form ; drop the r and add st for the superlative form

positive comparative superlative

large larger The largest

wise wiser The wisest

nice
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Rule 3 One syllable with a short vowel

Double the last vowel, the add er to the comparative form, and est to the superlative form

positive comparative superlative

fat fatter The fattest

big bigger The biggest

thin
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Rule 4

Two and 3 syllable words: add more for the comparative and most for the superlative

positive comparative superlative

peaceful More peaceful The most peaceful

pleasant More pleasant The most pleasant

careful
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thoughtful
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generous More generous The most generous

Rule 5:

Two syllable words ending with y, Drop the y and add ier to the comparative form, and iest to the
superlative form:

positive comparative superlative

happy happier The happiest

angry angrier The angriest

busy
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dirty
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Rule 6:

Irregular comparative adjectives: The following adjectives don’t follow any of the above rules

positive comparative superlative

good better The best

bad worse The worst

far
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little
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many
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