COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE ADJECTIVES
These are the simple adjectives that simply describe the noun without comparing it to another – big, sweet, clean, etc.
These are used when we are comparing two nouns and need to show which noun possesses the adjective or character in a greater or lesser amount, when compared with the other. – bigger, sweeter, cleaner, etc.
This form is used when three or more nouns are being compared and we need to show that one or more of the nouns posses the adjective or characteristic to the highest amount possible. We usually add ‘the’ before the superlative form. – biggest, sweetest, cleanest, etc.
HOW TO MAKE COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE
There are certain rules that must be followed in the making of the comparatives and superlatives of the adjectives. Not all adjectives form their comparatives and superlatives in the same way and there are also some irregular adjectives that form completely different comparative and superlative forms.
Single Syllable Words and Double Syllable Words ending with -y, -er, -ow, -le –
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
| Black | Blacker | Blackest |
| Fair | Fairer | Fairest |
| Clever | Cleverer | Cleverest |
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
| Nice | Nicer | Nicest |
| Late | Later | Latest |
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
| Pretty | Prettier | Prettiest |
| Lazy | Lazier | Laziest |
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
| Hot | Hotter | Hottest |
| Wet | Wetter | Wettest |
Other Words with Two or More Syllables
For other double syllable words that do not end with -y, -er, -ow, -le, and for adjectives with more than two syllables, we use moreand most to form the comparatives and superlatives.
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
| Difficult | More Difficult | Most Difficult |
| Careful | More Careful | Most Careful |
| Handsome | More Handsome | Most Handsome |
| Interesting | More Interesting | Most Interesting |
There a few adjectives that can use both ‘-er and -est’ and ‘more’ and ‘most’ to form their comparative and superlative forms. The distinction between these is that ‘-er and -est’ are used when we are comparing the noun to another noun and ‘more’ and ‘most’ is used when we are comparing characteristics within the noun.
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
| Clever | Cleverer/ More Clever
E.g: He is clevererthan her. |
Cleverest/Most Clever
E.g: He is more clever than studious. |
| Quiet | Quieter/ More Quiet
E.g: This is the most quiet it gets here. |
Quietest/ Most Quiet
E.g: This is the quietest place. |
| Brave | Braver/ More Brave
E.g: She is braver than other girls. |
Bravest/ Most Brave
E.g: She was more bravethan afraid. |
| Sure | Surer/ More Sure
E.g: He was surer of the result than others. |
Surest/ Most Sure
E.g: You’ll be more sureabout the concept after you read the chapter. |
These adjectives do not make their comparative and superlative forms using the rules above. Their comparative and superlative forms are different words altogether.
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
| Bad | Worse | Worst |
| Good | Better | Best |
| Far (place & time) | Further | Furthest |
| Far (place) | Farther | Farthest |
| Old (people) | Elder | Eldest |
| Little (amount) | Less | Least |
| Late (order) | Latter | Last |
