Comparative and Superlative

Comparative and Superlative

1. Superlative

   • 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.
   • Structure
     • Noun (subject) + verb + the + superlative adjective + noun (object).
   • Examples
     • My house is the largest one in our neighborhood. 2) This is the smallest box I've ever seen. 3) Your dog ran the fastest of any dog in the race.

2. Comparative

   • 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:
   • Structure
     • Noun (subject) + verb + comparative adjective + than + noun (object).
   • Examples
     • 1)My house is larger than hers. 2)This box is smaller than the one I lost. 3)Your dog runs faster than Jim's dog.4) The rock flew higher than the roof.

3. Adjectives and adverbs have comparative and superlative forms. The comparative form is used to compare two things. The superlative form is used to compare more than two things. Most adjectives and adverbs use an -er ending in the comparative form and an -est ending in the superlative form.

   • Adjectives with two syllables can form the comparative either by adding -er or by preceeding the adjective with more. These adjectives form the superlative either by adding -est or by preceeding the adjective with most.

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