COMPARATIVES - SUPERLATIVES

COMPARATIVES - SUPERLATIVES

1. COMPARATIVES

   • Use a comparative adjective + than to compare two people, places, or things. You can use a comparative adjective + noun when the comparison is clear from context.
     • 1. Lydia is tallerthan Alex. 2. Gorillas are more intelligent than cows. 3. The bigger house is mine. 4. The more interesting shows are on cable TV.
       • EXAMPLES
   • Add -er to the end of most one-syllable adjectives to form the comparative.* If the adjective ends in -e, add -r.
     • EXAMPLES
       • 1. small - smaller 2. low - lower 3. large - larger 4. nice - nicer
   • Use more before most long adjectives (adjectives that have two or more syllables).
     • EXAMPLES
       • 1. Jack is more serious than Nikki. 2. Do you think math is more important than music?
   • Some two-syllable adjectives are used with either -er or more to form the comparative.
     • EXAMPLES
       • 1. quiet - quieter / more quiet 2. simple - simpler / more simple
   • Some adjectives have an irregular comparative form.
     • EXAMPLES
       • 1. good - better 2. bad - worse 3. far - farther, further

2. SUPERLATIVES

   • Use a superlative adjective to compare three or more people, places, or things.
     • EXAMPLES
       • 1. Ali is the tallest student in our class. 2. Prague is the most beautiful city I’ve ever seen. 3. What’s the most interesting book you’ve ever read?
   • Use a superlative adverb to compare the action of three or more people or things.
     • EXAMPLES
       • 1. Of all my friends, Alicia calls the most frequently. 2. My red shoes fit the most comfortably of all my shoes.
   • Add -est to the end of most one-syllable adjectives or adverbs to form the superlative.* Use the before superlative adjectives. It is not as common before adverbs.
     • EXAMPLES
       • 1. Adjective: I bought the longest couch in the store. 2. Adverb: Steve works hardest of all the students..
   • Use themost before most adjectives that have two or more syllables and adverbs ending in -ly.
     • EXAMPLES
       • 1. Maria is themost careful climber of the group. 2. The Grand Canyon is the most amazing sight I’ve ever seen. 3. Of all the girls, Brenda sings the most beautifully.
   • For some two-syllable adjectives and adverbs, either -est or the most can be used to form the superlative.
     • EXAMPLES
       • 1. stupid - the stupidest/the most stupid 2. cruel - the cruelest/the most cruel
   • Some superlatives are irregular.
     • EXAMPLES
       • 1. good/well - the best 2. bad/badly - the worst