How to form
| Adjective type | Comparative | Superlative | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short (1 syllable) | adj + -er | the + adj + -est | tall → taller → the tallest |
| Short ending -e | adj + -r | the + adj + -st | large → larger → the largest |
| Short CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) | double consonant + -er | double consonant + -est | big → bigger → the biggest hot → hotter → the hottest |
| Short ending -y | -y → -ier | -y → -iest | happy → happier → the happiest |
| Long (2+ syllables) | more + adj | the most + adj | interesting → more interesting → the most interesting |
Irregular forms
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| good | better | the best |
| bad | worse | the worst |
| far | further / farther | the furthest / farthest |
| little | less | the least |
| much / many | more | the most |
How to use
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| Comparative + than | She is taller than her brother. This film is more interesting than that one. |
| as + adj + as (equality) | He is as tall as his father. This is as good as yesterday's film. |
| not as + adj + as (inequality) | This exam is not as difficult as the last one. |
| the + superlative + in/of | London is the biggest city in England. She is the best student in the class. |
-er or more?
Generally: 1-syllable → -er (faster). 3+ syllables → more (more beautiful). 2-syllable → depends on the word. Common 2-syllable: clever → cleverer, simple → simpler, quiet → quieter. When in doubt: use more.
Exercises
Choose the correct form.
1. My bag is ___ than yours. (heavy)
2. She is ___ student in the school. (good)
3. This film is ___ I expected. (not as good)
4. Today is ___ day of the year! (hot)