Comparatives and Superlatives

Comparatives and Superlatives in English

Comparatives and superlatives are forms of adjectives and adverbs used to compare differences between objects they modify. These forms help express varying degrees of qualities or quantities. Here’s a comprehensive explanation:

Comparatives

Definition: Comparatives are used to compare two people, things, or groups, showing a higher or lower degree of a quality.

Formation:

  1. Short Adjectives: Add “-er” to the end of the adjective.
    • Examples:
      • small → smaller
      • fast → faster
      • tall → taller
  2. Long Adjectives: Use “more” or “less” before the adjective.
    • Examples:
      • beautiful → more beautiful
      • difficult → more difficult
      • interesting → more interesting
  3. Irregular Adjectives: Some adjectives have irregular comparative forms.
    • Examples:
      • good → better
      • bad → worse
      • far → farther/further

Usage: Comparatives are often followed by “than.”

  • Examples:
    • She is taller than her brother.
    • This book is more interesting than the last one.
    • Today is better than yesterday.

Superlatives

Definition: Superlatives are used to compare three or more people, things, or groups, showing the highest or lowest degree of a quality.

Formation:

  1. Short Adjectives: Add “-est” to the end of the adjective.
    • Examples:
      • small → smallest
      • fast → fastest
      • tall → tallest
  2. Long Adjectives: Use “most” or “least” before the adjective.
    • Examples:
      • beautiful → most beautiful
      • difficult → most difficult
      • interesting → most interesting
  3. Irregular Adjectives: Some adjectives have irregular superlative forms.
    • Examples:
      • good → best
      • bad → worst
      • far → farthest/furthest

Usage: Superlatives are often preceded by “the.”

  • Examples:
    • She is the tallest in her class.
    • This is the most interesting book I have ever read.
    • Today is the best day of my life.

Special Rules and Notes

  1. One-Syllable Adjectives: Usually take “-er” and “-est.”
    • Examples: small → smaller → smallest
  2. Two-Syllable Adjectives: Generally use “more/most” or “less/least,” but adjectives ending in “-y,” “-er,” “-le,” or “-ow” can take “-er” and “-est.”
    • Examples: happy → happier → happiest, clever → cleverer → cleverest
  3. Adjectives with Three or More Syllables: Always use “more/most” or “less/least.”
    • Examples: beautiful → more beautiful → most beautiful
  4. Spelling Changes:
    • If an adjective ends in “e,” add only “r” or “st.”
      • Examples: large → larger → largest
    • If an adjective ends in a consonant + vowel + consonant, double the final consonant before adding “-er” or “-est.”
      • Examples: big → bigger → biggest
    • If an adjective ends in “y” preceded by a consonant, change the “y” to “i” before adding “-er” or “-est.”
      • Examples: happy → happier → happiest

Exercise 1: Form the Comparative and Superlative

Form the comparative and superlative of these adjectives:

  1. tall
  2. busy
  3. beautiful
  4. good
  5. far

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks with the Correct Form

Complete the sentences using the correct comparative or superlative form of the adjectives in parentheses.

  1. This test is (easy) __________ than the last one.
  2. She is the (intelligent) __________ student in the class.
  3. Today is (hot) __________ than yesterday.
  4. That was the (bad) __________ movie I have ever seen.
  5. He is (friendly) __________ than his brother.

Exercise 3: Write Sentences

Write sentences comparing the following items using comparatives and superlatives.

  1. apples and oranges (sweet)
  2. summer and winter (cold)
  3. your hometown and a famous city (big)

Exercise 1

  1. tall → taller → tallest
  2. busy → busier → busiest
  3. beautiful → more beautiful → most beautiful
  4. good → better → best
  5. far → farther/further → farthest/furthest

Exercise 2

  1. easier
  2. most intelligent
  3. hotter
  4. worst
  5. friendlier

Exercise 3 Sample Answers:

  1. Apples are sweeter than oranges. Oranges are not as sweet as apples.
  2. Winter is colder than summer. Summer is not as cold as winter.
  3. My hometown is smaller than New York City. New York City is the biggest city I have ever visited.

Summary:

  • Comparatives: Used to compare two things.
    • Formation: Short adjectives take “-er,” long adjectives use “more/less,” and some are irregular.
    • Examples: faster, more beautiful, better
  • Superlatives: Used to compare three or more things.
    • Formation: Short adjectives take “-est,” long adjectives use “most/least,” and some are irregular.
    • Examples: fastest, most beautiful, best

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