Comparatives and Superlatives
1. Forming the comparatives and superlatives
As a general rule, the comparative adjective is created by adding –er at the end of the adjective. The superlative adjective is created by adding –est at the end.
In the case of two or more syllables, we use the words more and most to form the comparative and superlative forms.
adjective | comparative | superlative |
rich strong cool dark | richer stronger cooler darker | richest strongest coolest darkest |
beautiful interesting | more beautiful more interesting | most beautiful most interesting |
One or two syllable words ending in –e:
safe – safer – safest
nice – nicer – nicest
One syllable words ending in a short vowel plus consonant double the consonant at the end of the adjective
big – bigger - biggest
sad – sadder – saddest
two syllable adjectives ending in –y: the –y changes into an –i:
busy – busier – busiest
happy – happier – happiest
Two syllable adjectives ending in –r, -ly, -ow, -y, and -l can have two forms:
clever – cleverer / more clever – cleverest / most clever
Also: common, handsome, simple, stupid, pleasant
2. Irregular forms
Some comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs are irregular.
Note: ‘elder’ cannot be used in comparative sentences. We cannot say ‘He is elder than Kate.’
adjective | comparative | superlative |
good / well bad / badly few / little little (size) much/many/lot far (distance) far (extra) old (people) old (things) | better worse less smaller more farther / further further elder older | best worst least smallest most farthest / furthest furthest eldest oldest |
3. Comparative sentence
When we compare two or more things, we can say: X is bigger/better/safer/etc. than Y
London is bigger than Leeds.
Henry is more/less intelligent than Rick.
The neighbour’s children are older than mine.
When two things are the same, we say: X is as (so) big/good/interesting as Y
Your cat is as old as my cat.
Jack is so strong as Fred.
His car is not as expensive as your car.
4. The superlative sentence
If something is the best/biggest/most expensive, we say:
X is the best/nicest/most interesting in the world/classroom/family
James is the tallest in the class.
The McLaren F1 is the most expensive car in the world.
Note: In a superlative sentence, we usually use ‘in’ and not ‘of’
5. As...as + adjective / adverb
as + adjective or adverb + as
Just (about) / nearly / quite as + adjective or adverb + as
I would like to have as many apples as possible.
Phone me as soon as necessary.
as + clause + as
As + much/many/little/few + as
Please, write me as soon as you can.
As far as I know, they have moved house.
You can take as many slices as you feel like.
6. The ... the
We can compare things by using the ‘the…the’ structure: The + older/better/etc. + clause
The older I get, the more I know.
The richer he gets, the more unhappy he becomes.
The more relaxed he is, the more he talks.
7. Emphasis
We can add emphasis to comparative adjectives the following ways:
much / far / a lot / lots / even happier
considerably / significantly happier
substantially / a great deal happier
many / far / a lot more / less / fewer
a bit / a little / a little bit / quite a lot / somewhat bigger
We can emphasize the superlative forms the following ways:
quite / nearly / easily / much / by far the most expensive car
We can emphasize the as …. as structure the following ways:
Nearly / twice / three times as good as
My brother is quite a lot taller than you.
His house is by far the best in this street.
8. clauses
not + adjective/adverb + enough to do something
The time was not enough to complete the exercise.
too + adjective/adverb + to do something
It was too hot to sit in the garden.
too + adjective + a/an + noun
It was too popular a restaurant to be able to get a table.
so + adjective/adverb + that clause
His car was so fast that the police couldn’t catch him.
9. Showing result
so + adjective/adverb + that clause
so + many / much + noun + that
His car was so fast that the police couldn’t catch him.
such + a/an + adjective + singular noun + that
such + adjective + plural noun + that
such + a lot of + noun + that
enough + noun (+ for and/or + to infinitive)
adjective / adverb+ enough (+ for and/or + to infinitive)
10. As / like
Like + noun / gerund / pronoun is used to compare two things which are similar or the same.
Like can also mean ‘for example’ or ‘such as’ or ‘similarly’:
As + nouns / clause means ‘in the same way’ or ‘in the positions of’ when referring to jobs.
