Comparatives and Superlatives with Adjectives.

Comparatives and Superlatives with Adjectives.

1. Adjectives can compare two things or more than two things. When we make these comparisons, we use comparative and superlative forms of adjectives.

   • Comparatives
     • One way to describe nouns (people, objects, animals, etc.) is by comparing them to something else. When comparing two things, you’re likely to use adjectives like smaller, bigger, taller, more interesting, and less expensive.
       • incorrect:His cat is more large than my dog.
         • correct:His cat is larger than my dog.
     • rules:
       • For adjectives that are just one syllable, add -er to the end (this explains the above example). For two-syllable adjectives not ending in -y and for all three-or-more-syllable adjectives, use the form “more + adjective.” For two-syllable adjectives ending in -y, change the -y to -i and add -er. These simple rules make it easy to tell when you should add -er or -ier and when you should use “more + adjective.”
   • Superlatives
     • When comparing more than two things, you’ll likely use words and phrases like smallest, biggest, tallest, most interesting, and least interesting. Notice the ‑est ending and the words most and least. Make sure you use the proper ending or superlative adjective when forming these superlatives. The examples below illustrate the correct form:
       • incorrect: Martha is the elder of the four sisters
         • correct:Martha is the eldest of the four sisters.
           • Remember that adjectives ending in ‑y change their spelling when ‑est is added. To form these superlatives, change the y to an i before adding the -est ending,