THE COMPARATIVE AND THE SUPERLATIVE

THE COMPARATIVE AND THE SUPERLATIVE

1. THE ADJECTIVES IN COMPARATIVE DEGREE: The comparative is used in English to compare differences between the two objects it modifies (larger, smaller, faster, higher). It is used in sentences where we compare two names, as follows: Name (subject) + verb + adjective in comparative degree + than + name (object). The second term of the comparison can be omitted if it is understood from the context. (see the last example).

   • EXAMPLES: My house is larger than Hers. This box is smaller than the one I lost. Your dog runs faster than Jim's dog. The rock flew higher than the roof. Jim and Jack are both my friends, but I like Jack better. ("than Jim" is understood)

2. THE ADJECTIVES IN SUPERLATIVE DEGREE: The superlative is used to describe an object that is at the upper or lower end of a quality (the tallest, the smallest, the fastest, the highest). It is used in sentences in which we compare a subject with a group of objects, as here: Name (subject) + verb + the + adjective in superlative grade + name (object). The group with which the comparison is made can be omitted if it is understood from the context (see the last example).

   • EXAMPLES: My house is the largest one in our neighborhood. This is the smallest box I've ever seen. Your dog ran the fastest of any dog ​​in the race. We all threw our rocks at the same time. My rock flew the highest. ("of all the rocks" is understood)
     • FORMATION OF REGULAR COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES: In English, it is simple to form the comparative and superlative of most adjectives. The form will depend on the number of syllables in the adjective. ADJECTIVES OF A SYLLAB Add -er for the comparative and -est for the superlative. If the adjective ends in consonant + vowel + consonant, the last consonant must be repeated before adding the termination.
       • ADJECTIVES OF TWO SYLLABLES: Adjectives of two syllables can form the comparative by adding -er, as the adjectives of a syllable, or by placing more in front of the adjective, as with the three-syllables. Likewise, these adjectives can form the superlative by adding the -est ending or by putting the adjective more in front. In many cases the two forms are used, although one of the uses will be more habitual than the other one. If we are not sure that an adjective can take the comparative or superlative endings, it is better to use more and most. When a two syllable adjective ends in y, it must be changed by i before adding the ending.
         • ADJECTIVES OF THREE SYLLABLES OR MORE: The adjectives of three syllables or more form the comparative placing more before the adjective and the superlative placing most.
           • IRREGULAR COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES: Some very ordinary adjectives have irregular forms in the comparative and superlative degrees.
             • EXAMPLES: Today is the worst day I've had in a long time. You play tennis better than I do. This is the least expensive sweater in the store. This sweater is less expensive than that one. I ran pretty far yesterday, but I ran even farther today.