ADJECTIVES THAT COMPARE They compare two or more nouns.

Comparative Form Compares only 2 things or people.

One syllable words... Form the comparative by adding -er.

Two or more syllables... Form the comparative by using more before the adjective.

Examples Texas is larger than Florida. Large is one syllable. Add -er to the end. Is Hawaii more beautiful than Delaware? Beautiful is 3 syllables. Use more in front.

Superlative Form Compares more than two things or people.

One syllable adjectives.. Form the superlative by adding -est to the end of the adjective.

Two or more syllables... Form the superlative by using most before the adjective.

Examples What is the poorest country in the world? Poor is one syllable. Add -er to the end. George is the most curious of all monkeys. Curious is 3 syllables. Use most in front.

WARNING! Do NOT use more or most in front of adjectives already in the comparative or superlative form!

greatest Simon Bolivar is one of the (great) heroes of South America. Try It! Simon Bolivar is one of the (great) heroes of South America. greatest

Try It! He was (successful) as an older man than a younger man. more successful

Try It! The general was (wise) than before that struggle. wiser

Try It! Simon Bolivar was one of the (loyal) patriots. most loyal

most important The general cherished the (important) dream of all. Try It! The general cherished the (important) dream of all. most important

more famous He is (famous) in Europe than in the United States. Try It! He is (famous) in Europe than in the United States. more famous

Try It! Maria Tallchief was one of the (noted) dancers in the world. most noted

Try It! Her Canadian tour was the (challenging) of all the tours. most challenging

Try It! Away from home, Tallchief was (homesick) this time than ever before. more homesick

most marvelous Maria received the (marvelous) opportunity of all. Try It! Maria received the (marvelous) opportunity of all. most marvelous

Try It! The Russian composer Igor Stravinsky thought she was the (suitable) dancer for some of his ballets. most suitable

Try It! Tallchief is perhaps (memorable) for her role in Firebird. most memorable

Try It! George Balanchine gave her the (prominent) roles of all. most prominent

Try It! George Balanchine may be the (famous) ballet choreographer of this century. most famous

more inventive Some of his ballets are (inventive) than others. Try It! Some of his ballets are (inventive) than others. more inventive

Try It! Balanchine choreographed ballets to music that was (romantic) than Stravinsky’s music. more romantic

harder Dancing requires (hard) work than some other professions. Try It! Dancing requires (hard) work than some other professions. harder

most dedicated Only the (dedicated) dancers become professionals. Try It! Only the (dedicated) dancers become professionals. most dedicated

Try It! Although ballets have music, scenery, and costumes, the (important) part is the dancing. most important

Try It! American ballet is often (energetic) than Russian ballet. more energetic