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Comparative Adjectives

We use comparative adjectives to compare two objects. It is used to describe an object that has a higher degree of quality than another one. We can form comparative adjectives by ‘attaching the suffix –er to the adjective’ or ‘placing the word more before the adjective’.

Structure: Subject + Verb + Comparative Adjective + than + Object

 

Examples:

Africa is bigger than Europe.

Carbon monoxide is more dangerous than carbon dioxide.

Prevention is better than cure.

 

Superlative Adjectives

When we want to describe an object that has more of the particular quality than anything or anyone else of the same type. We can form superlative adjectives by ‘attaching the suffix –est to the adjective’ or ‘placing the word the most before the adjective’.

Structure: Subject + Verb + the + Superlative Adjective + Object

 

Examples:

Asia is the biggest continent in the world.

Sarin is one of the most dangerous gases.

This is the best birthday gift ever!

 

Read: The Complete Guide of English Numbers (Up to 10^100)

 

Regular Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

In general, forming comparative and superlative adjectives depend on the number of the syllable of the adjective.

 

One-Syllable

For adjectives with one-syllable, we form the comparative and superlative by attaching the suffixes –er and -est, respectively.

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
new	newer	newest
cold	colder	coldest

 

If the adjective ends: consonant-vowel-consonant, doubled the last consonant.

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
big	bigger	biggest
thin	thinner	thinnest

 

If the adjective ends with -e, we only add the suffixes -r or -st.

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
Wise	wiser	wisest
nice	nicer	nicest

 

Two-Syllable

For most of the two-syllable adjectives, including those with ending in -ful, -ed, -less, -ing, we form the comparative with more and superlative with the most.

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
skillful	more skillful	the most skillful
crowded	more crowded	the most crowded
hopeless	more hopeless	the most hopeless
dazzling	more dazzling	the most dazzling

 

If the adjective ends with -y, we change the -y into -i, and then add the suffixes -er or -est.

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
happy	happier	the happiest
busy	busier	the busiest

 

If the adjective ends with -er or -ow¸ attach the suffixes -er for comparatives and -est for superlatives.

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
clever	cleverer	the cleverest
narrow	narrower	the narrowest

 

A few two-syllable adjectives can form comparatives and superlatives using either -er/-est or more/the most forms. If you are not sure which one to use, you can always check on the dictionary. Using online dictionary will only cost you one minute!

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
gentle	gentler/more gentle	the gentlest/the most gentle
simple	simpler/more simple	the simplest/the most simple

 

Three or More Syllables

Adjective with three or more syllables always forms the comparative with more and superlative with the most.

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
important	more important	the most important
exciting	more exciting	the most exciting

 

Irregular Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

Some adjectives have irregular comparative and superlative forms.

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
good	better	the best
bad	worse	the worst
much/many	more	the most
little	less	the least
far	farther/further	farthest/furthest
old	older/elder	oldest/eldest

 

Read: Which One Should You Use? “Good” or “Well”?

 

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