Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

Comparative adjectives typically compare two things. Superlative adjectives compare more than two things.

Adjectives that contain only one syllable or end in y use er to form comparatives and est to form superlatives. For adjectives ending in y, change the y to i before adding er or est.

For example:

• old – older – oldest
• young – younger – youngest
• pretty – prettier – prettiest
• long – longer – longest
• short – shorter – shortest
• bright – brighter – brightest
• close – closer – closest
• happy – happier – happiest

Adjectives with two or more syllables do not change but instead add more to form comparatives and most to form superlatives.

For example:

• respectable – more respectable – most respectable
• beautiful – more beautiful – most beautiful
• preferable – more preferable – most preferable
• hardworking – more hardworking – most hardworking

Some adjectives have different forms of comparatives and superlatives, such as:

• good – better – best
• bad – worse – worst
• little – less – least
• much (many) – more – most
• far – further – furthest

The word than typically appears in comparative sentences.

• Amy is smarter than Betty.
• Chad is stronger than Dan.
• Greg is more diligent than his brother.
• I have more apples than he.
• She likes him more than me.

Superlatives are typically accompanied by the word the.

• Tom is the oldest man in town.
• Paul is the tallest boy in the neighborhood.
• That shade of blue is the most beautiful color.
• This is the longest song that I have ever heard.

Quiz 1

Write the appropriate comparative or superlative form of the word cold in each blank.

Yesterday was a cold day. Today is                      than yesterday. Tomorrow will be the                      day yet.

Quiz 2

Which of the following sentences is incorrect?

1)Mary is shorter than Jane.
2)The moon is more closer to the earth than the sun.
3)I have the best score on the exam.

Quiz 3

Fill in the blanks.

1)My friend has a pretty purse, but I have a                      one.
2)The                      weather is yet to come!
3)Today’s sunshine is                      beautiful than yesterday’s.

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