Comparatives & superlatives
A2 23 / 50
In short
Use the comparative to compare two things (cheaper, more expensive) and the superlative to pick out one from a group (the cheapest, the most expensive). Short adjectives add -er / -est; longer ones use more / most.
The rule
Adjective length decides the form:
| Adjective type | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| One syllable: cheap, small, fast | + -er: cheaper | the + -est: the cheapest |
| Two syllables in -y: happy, easy | -y -> -ier: happier | the + -iest: the happiest |
| A few two-syllable words: quiet, simple, narrow, clever | + -er: quieter | the + -est: the quietest |
| Other two+ syllables: expensive, careful | more + adj: more expensive | the most + adj: the most expensive |
For that small group more quiet is also possible, but quieter is the usual form.
Build comparisons with these patterns:
- than after a comparative: Tokyo is bigger than Osaka.
- (not) as … as for equal / unequal things: She is as tall as her brother.
- the + superlative, often with in (places, groups) or of (a set/time): the tallest in the class, the best day of the year.
Forms & patterns
Spelling changes for short adjectives:
| Spelling rule | Base | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|---|
| ends in -e -> + -r / -st | nice | nicer | nicest |
| short vowel + 1 consonant -> double it | big | bigger | biggest |
| (same) | hot | hotter | hottest |
| ends in -y -> -ier / -iest | happy | happier | happiest |
| regular one syllable | cheap | cheaper | cheapest |
Irregular adjectives (learn these by heart):
| Base | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| good | better | best |
| bad | worse | worst |
| far | further / farther | furthest / farthest |
| little | less | least |
| many / much | more | most |
Make a comparison stronger or weaker with much / far / a bit / a little before the comparative:
- This phone is much better. (big difference)
- Today is a bit colder than yesterday. (small difference)
Two changes that happen together: the + comparative …, the + comparative …
- The older I get, the happier I am.
- The more you practise, the better you speak.
Adverbs follow the same idea but usually take more / most:
- Please drive more carefully.
- She works the most efficiently in the morning.
Examples
| English | Note |
|---|---|
| My new bike is faster than my old one. | comparative + than for two things |
| This is the cheapest ticket in the shop. | superlative + in for a place/group |
| Your bag is as heavy as mine. | as … as = equal |
| The film was not as good as the book. | not as … as = less good |
| Summer is hotter here than in the north. | consonant doubling: hot -> hotter |
| She feels much better today. | much + comparative = big difference |
| He is the most talented singer of them all. | long adjective: the most + of |
| The more I read, the more I learn. | linked comparatives = changing together |
Common mistakes
- more bigger -> bigger - never use more with an -er form (no double comparative).
- more good / the most good -> better / the best - good is irregular.
- She is taller that me -> taller than me - use than, not that, in comparisons.
- the most cheap -> the cheapest - one-syllable adjectives take -est, not most.
- as tall than him -> as tall as him - the equality pattern is as … as.
Tips
- Count syllables first: 1 syllable -> -er/-est; 3+ syllables -> more/most. Two-syllable words ending in -y usually take -ier/-iest (easy -> easier), and a short list of others takes -er/-est (quieter, simpler).
- Comparative goes with than; superlative goes with the (and often in or of).
- After than and as, an object pronoun sounds natural in speech (than me); the full clause (than I am) is more formal.
- Keep a short list of irregulars on a card: good/bad/far/little/many. They never add -er or more.