Comparatives and Superlatives
English Grammar Rules
Comparatives and Superlatives are used to compare two or more nouns.
Comparatives are followed by than when comparing two things or people. Use the following structure to form the sentence:
Noun (subject) + verb + comparative adjective + than + noun (object).
Superlatives are preceded the when describing an object which is at the extreme limits of a quality (the tallest, the smallest, the fastest, the highest). They are used in sentences where a subject is compared to a group of objects. Use the following structure to form the sentence:
Noun (subject) + verb + the + superlative adjective + noun (object).
The formation of the comparative and superlative depends on the number of syllables in the adjective:
One-syllable Adjectives
To form the comparative, we add -er to the end of the adjective.
To form the superlative, we add -est to the end of the adjective.
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| small | smaller | the smallest |
| cold | colder | the coldest |
| light | lighter | the lightest |
| wide * | wider | the widest |
| hot ** | hotter | the hottest |
* When an adjective ends in the letter E, we just add the -R (for comparatives) or -ST (for superlatives). We do not write two Es together. Wider (correct) not wideer (incorrect).
** When an adjective ends in a consonant + short vowel + consonant (C + V + C), we normally double the last letter. big – bigger – biggest, wet – wetter – wettest
- London is bigger than Santiago.
- Mike is taller than John but James is the tallest.
- Yesterday was the hottest day of the year.
- It is the oldest building in the village.
- I want a faster car.
Two-syllable Adjectives ending in -Y
To form the comparative, we remove the -y and add –ier to the end of the adjective.
To form the superlative, we remove the -y and add –iest to the end of the adjective.
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| crazy | crazier | the craziest |
| happy | happier | the happiest |
| early | earlier | the earliest |
- It was the happiest day of my life.
- My joke was funnier than your one.
- This section is easier than the rest.
Adjectives with Two or more Syllables
For Adjectives with 2 syllables (that don’t end in -y) and higher (3, 4 syllables etc), we use more for comparatives and the most for superlatives.
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| handsome | more handsome | the most handsome |
| nervous | more nervous | the most nervous |
| enthusiastic | more enthusiastic | the most enthusiastic |
- My girlfriend is more beautiful than yours.
- Alex is more intelligent than you but I am the most intelligent.
- It was the most wonderful day I have ever had.
Some exceptions with two-syllable adjectives ending in -er and -est:
narrow – narrower, simple – simpler, quiet – quieter
Irregular Forms
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| good | better | the best |
| bad | worse | the worst |
| far *** | further / farther | the furthest / farthest |
| little | less | the least |
| many/much | more | the most |
| old **** | older/elder | the oldest / eldest |
- I am a better tennis player than you but Marcelo is the best.
- Steve is a worse liar than me but Adrian is the worst.
Take the following quiz to test your understanding of Comparatives and Superlatives.
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