comparatives & superlatives

COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES
FORMING THE COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE

Number of syllables


Comparative


Superlative

one syllable


+ -er


+ -est

tall


taller


tallest




one syllable with the spelling consonant + single vowel + consonant: double the final consonant:

fat


fatter


fattest

big


bigger


biggest
sad sadder saddest


Number of syllables Comparative Superlative
two syllables + -er OR more + adj + -est OR most + adj

ending in: -y, -ly, -ow
ending in: -le, -er or -ure
these common adjectives - handsome, polite, pleasant, common, quiet

happy


happier/ more happy


happiest/ most happy
yellow

yellower/ more yellow


yellowest/ most yellow

simple


simpler/ more simple


simplest/ most simple

tender


tenderer/ more tender


tenderest/ most tender




If you are not sure, use MORE + OR MOST +
Note: Adjectives ending in '-y' like happy, pretty, busy, sunny, lucky etc:. replace the -y with -ier or -iest in the comparative and superlative form

busy


busier


busiest



Number of syllables Comparative Superlative
three syllables or more more + adj most + adj
important

more important
most important
expensive more expensive most expensive

Examples:

a. A cat is fast, a tiger is faster but a cheetah is the fastest
b. A car is heavy, a truck is heavier, but a train is the heaviest
c. A park bench is comfortable, a restaurant chair is more comfortable, but a sofa is the most comfortable