A2 · Elementary–Intermediate

Comparative & Superlative Adjectives

Compare things, describe extremes, and show equality — three essential A2 grammar patterns. This one is bigger. This is the biggest. This is as big as that.

Level: A2 Three patterns Play · Practise · Score

The Adjective Transformer

Same word. Different form.

Three forms, four contexts — 12 ready-made sentences. Choose a form and a context to see each pattern in action.

My new flat is smaller than my old one, but it is in a much better area.

Pattern:adj + -er + than / more + adj + than

Compare two things. Short adjectives (1 syllable) add -er: fast -> faster. Long adjectives (2+ syllables) use more: comfortable -> more comfortable. Irregular: good -> better, bad -> worse.

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The rules — with examples

Comparative — two things

short: adj + -er + than
long: more + adj + than

“This test is harder than yesterday’s.”

“The new road is more dangerous than the old one.”

Superlative — one from a group

short: the + adj + -est
long: the most + adj

“She is the most talented student in the school.”

“He is the tallest of the three brothers.”

Equality — two things the same

as + adj (base form) + as

“This test is as difficult as the last one.”

“The blue bag is not as expensive as the red one.”

How to choose the right form

Comparing two things

Use the comparative when you put two things side by side. Always follow it with than before the second thing.

“This task is harder than yesterday’s.”

One thing in a group

Use the superlative to pick the winner from a group. Use in with places and groups. Use of with sets and numbers.

“The best in the class and the best of all.”

Two things that are equal

Use as…as when two things are the same. The adjective stays in its base form — no -er, no -est, no more.

“This test is as hard as the last one.”

All three forms — one adjective

Base form

“London is big.”

Just a statement. No comparison yet.

Comparative

“London is bigger than Paris.”

Comparing two cities. Use than.

Superlative

“London is the biggest city in the UK.”

One city in a group. Use the + in.

Same adjective — three different jobs. Base describes. Comparative compares two. Superlative picks one from many.

Spelling guide

Short adjectives (1 syllable)

Most: add -er / -est

fast → faster → fastest
old → older → oldest

End in -e: add -r / -st

nice → nicer → nicest
large → larger → largest

End in CVC: double last consonant

big → bigger → biggest
hot → hotter → hottest

End in -y: change to -ier / -iest

easy → easier → easiest
happy → happier → happiest

Long adjectives (2+ syllables)

Use more / most before the adjective

comfortable → more comfortable → most comfortable
interesting → more interesting → most interesting
expensive → more expensive → most expensive
popular → more popular → most popular

Irregular (memorise these!)

Fixed forms — no rule applies

good → better → best
bad → worse → worst
far → further → furthest

Quick reference

more bigger / most tallest NEVER double-mark — use -er OR more, and -est OR most. Never both at once.

short adj (-er/-est) 1 syllable: fast → faster → fastest; big → bigger → biggest

long adj (more/most) 2+ syllables: comfortable → more comfortable → most comfortable

Tip: Not sure which form to use? Count the syllables. One syllable → -er/-est. Two or more syllables → more/most. Adjectives ending in -y (like happy, easy) use -ier/-iest even though they have two syllables.

Tip: After a superlative, use in with a place or group (the best in the class, the biggest in the world). Use of with a number or set (the best of the three, the worst of all time).

Test yourself — 10 questions

The three patterns to remember

Comparative: use adj + -er + than or more + adj + than to compare two things — short adjectives take -er, long adjectives take more, and a few irregular forms must be memorised.

Superlative: use the + adj + -est or the most + adj to pick the winner from a group — always add the before the superlative, then use in for a place or group and of for a set or number.

For equal comparison, use as + adjective + as and keep the adjective in its base form — no -er, no -est, no more. The adjective never changes.

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