Meaning and use
We use comparatives to compare one person or thing with another person or thing.
My new phone is smaller than my old phone.
The online platform is more exciting than the book.
He’s better than me at Grammar.
We use superlatives to compare one person or thing with several other people or
things of the same kind. Superlatives tell us which thing or person is the greatest
in some way.
It’s the smallest car in the market..
We’ve got the best teacher in spelling..
Europe is the coldest place than Africa..
Comparatives
We make comparatives in two ways: by adding -er to an adjective or by putting more
in front of the adjective. We often use the word “than” after the comparative,
but not always.
He is (old) older than me.
I'm (young) younger than him.
Who is more famous – Frank Sinatra or Elvis?
We add add –er to adjectives with one syllable, but if the adjective ends in -e,
just add -r.
old – older
small – smaller
nice – nicer
wide – wider
If an adjective ends in one vowel and one consonant, double the consonant and
add -er (except when the final consonant is ‘w’).
hot – hotter // cold - colder
big – bigger // small - smaller
new – newer // old - older
few –fewer
If an adjective has two syllables and ends in -y, change the y to i and add -ier.
happy – happier
noisy – noisier
easy – easier
We put more or less before other adjectives with two or more syllables.
Sit in the chair – it’s less comfortable than the sofa.
A desktop is more useful than having a computer at home.
Take note: (not) as … as
To say that two things or people are similar in some way, use as + adjective + as.
I think that travelling by car is as dangerous as travelling by plane.
We can use not as + adjective + as to say that two things or people are not equal
in some way.
He is not as successful as his sister.
Superlatives
We make superlatives in two ways: by adding -est to an adjective or by putting
most in front of the adjective. We usually use the before the superlative.
Ferrary is probably the fastest car in the world.
It’s the cheapest shop in town.
If an adjective has one syllable, add -est to form the superlative, but if the adjective
already ends in -e, just add –st.
high – highest
small – smallest
nice – nicest
wide – widest
If an adjective ends in one vowel and one consonant, double the consonant and
add -est (except when it ends in –w)
hot – hottest
big – biggest
new – newest
If an adjective has two syllables and ends in -y, change the ‘y’ to ‘i’ and add -est
happy – happiest
funny – funniest
We put most before adjectives with two or more syllables.
It’s the most beautiful picture I’ve ever seen.
Take note: superlative and present perfect
We often use the superlative with the present perfect.
It’s the most delicious hamburger I’ve ever had.
She is the friendliest girl he’s ever known.
Remember!
After superlative adjectives, we usually use in, not of.
She was the smallest person in her family.
Take note: irregular comparatives and superlatives
Some adjectives have irregular comparative and superlative forms.
good – better – best
bad – worse – worst
It’s the best movie I’ve seen in a decade.
It’s the worst winter in years..