Comparison of adjectives Grammar Notes Preparatore Linguistico:Barbara Meloni

Comparison of adjectives To compare in English means: to make a confrontation, to examine differences or similarities between 2 or more people, things,topics, etc. We use comparative adjectives + than to compare 2 people / things. Mosquitoes are more dangerous than sharks.

Comparison of adjectives There are 3 different forms of comparison in English. Comparison with –er /-est Eg.: clean - cleaner - (the) cleanest We use -er/-est with the following adjectives: Adjectives with one syllable: Clean cleaner cleanest new newer newest cheap cheaper cheapest adjectives with two syllables and the following endings: Adjectives with two syllables, ending in –y: Dirty dirtier dirtiest easy easier easiest happy happier happiest pretty prettier prettiest Adjectives with two syllables, ending in –er: Clever cleverer cleverest Adjectives with two syllables, ending in –le: Simple simpler simplest Adjectives with two syllables, ending in –ow: Narrow narrower narrowest

Comparison of adjectives We use the + superlative adjective to say which is the (biggest) in a group. It’s the hottest country in the world. Spelling of the adjectives using the endings -er/-est: Large larger largest : leave out the silent –e Big bigger biggest : Double the consonant after short vowel Dirty dirtier dirtiest : Change -y to -i (consonant before -y) shy shyer shyest Here -y is not changed to -i. (although consonant before -y)

Comparison of adjectives Comparison with more – most difficult - more difficult - (the) most difficult all adjectives with more than one syllable (with few exceptions)

Comparison of adjectives Irregular adjectives: Good better best / bad worse worst / much more most little less least Special adjectives: Some adjectives have two possible forms of comparison: Common commoner / more common commonest / most common pleasant pleasanter / more pleasant pleasantest / most pleasant / polite politer / more polite politest / most polite /simple simpler / more simple simplest / most simple / stupid stupider / more stupid stupidest

Comparison of adjectives To sum up, there are 3 so-called degrees of comparison in English. 1. Positive: This fruit is as sweet as that one (= the same) 2. Comparative: This fruit is sweeter than that one (= it is more sweet). 3. Superlative: This fruit is the sweetest of all.(= it is the most sweet). Finally, we use less+ adjective+ than (COMPARATIVE OF INFERIORITY) to express the idea that a thing or a person shows a lower degree of quality: Football is less interesting than tennis.