COMPARATIVES

&
SUPERLATIVES
 SIMILARITY:
 If we want to say that people, things, actions or events are equal in a particular way, we can
use as:

• My hands were as cold as ice.

• I don’t earn as much money as I’d like.

• We need as many people as possible.

• This flat isn’t as big as our old one.

• Is it as good as you expected?

COMPARATIVE:
 We use a comparative with than to compare one person, thing, action or group with another
person, thing, etc.:

• Mary’s taller than her three sisters.

• This movie is funnier than the other movie.

• The steak is more expensive than the fish.

IRREGULAR ADJECTIVES:

Adjective comparative
good Adjective better

bad comparative worse

far farther/further
little less
much more
 SPELLING:
 Add -er for the comparative. If the adjective has a consonant + single vowel + consonant
spelling, the final consonant must be doubled before adding the ending:
• rich – richer
• fat – fatter
 Adjectives with two syllables can form the comparative either by adding -er or by preceding
the adjective with more. For adjectives ending in y, change the y to an i before adding the
ending.
• simple – simpler (more simple)
• happy – happier
 Adjectives with three or more syllables form the comparative by putting more in front of the
adjective.
• expensive – more expensive
SUPERLATIVE:

 We use a superlative to compare one person, thing etc. with the whole group that she/he/it
belongs to:

• August is the wettest month of the year.

• The last question is the most difficult.

• The quickest way is along this path.

IRREGULAR ADJECTIVES:

Adjective comparative superlative

good better best
bad worse worst
far farther/further farthest/furthest
little less least
much more most
SPELLING:
 Add -est for the superlative. If the adjective has a consonant + single vowel + consonant
spelling, the final consonant must be doubled before adding the ending:
• rich – richer – the richest
• fat – fatter – the fattest
 Adjectives with two syllables can form the superlative either by adding -est or by preceding
the adjective with most. For adjectives ending in y, change the y to an i before adding the
ending.
• simple – simpler (more simple) – the simplest (the most simple)
• happy – happier (more happy) – the happiest (the most happy)
 Adjectives with three or more syllables form the superlative by putting the most in front.
• expensive – more expensive – the most expensive