Comparative and superlative adjectives

Comparative and superlative adjectives

1. Comparative adjectives

   • Comparative adjectives are used to compare differences between the two objects they modify (larger, smaller, faster, higher). They are used in sentences where two nouns are compared, in this pattern:
   • Noun (subject) + verb + comparative adjective + than + noun (object)
     • EXAMPLES
       • We use comparative adjectives to show change or make comparisons:
         • This car is certainly better, but it's much more expensive.
         • We use than when we want to compare one thing with another:
           • She is two years older than me.
           • When we want to describe how something or someone changes we can use two comparatives with and:
             • The balloon got bigger and bigger.
             • We often use the with comparative adjectives to show that one thing depends on another:
               • The faster you drive, the more dangerous it is. (= When you drive faster, it is more dangerous.)

2. Superlative adjectives

   • Superlative adjectives are used to describe an object which is at the upper or lower limit 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.
   • Noun (subject) + verb + the + superlative adjective + noun (object).
     • EXAMPLES
       • We use the with superlative adjectives:
         • It was the happiest day of my life.
         • Everest is the highest mountain in the world. That’s the best film I have seen this year.

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