Comparison of Adjectives

Forming the Comparative

We add –er to one syllable adjectives. ColdColder OldOlder TallTaller FastFaster

We add –er after a vowel+consonant, we double the final consonant. HotHotter BigBigger FatFatter

We add –er to one-syllable adjectives ending in –e. WideWider LateLater LargeLarger

We add –ier to two-syllable adjectives after a consonant+ -y. EasyEasier EarlyEarlier HappyHappier

We use more with two or more syllable adjectives. BeautifulMore beautiful FamousMore famous UsefulMore useful ComfortableMore comfortable

We can use –er or more with some two-syllable adjectives QuieterorMore quiet ClevererorMore clever NarrowerorMore narrow SimplerorMore simple CommonerorMore common

A few adjectives have irregular comparative forms. GoodBetter BadWorse FarFarther/Further LittleLess ManyMore

We use the comparative form of adjectives to compare one person, thing, etc. with another.

comparative + than we use than after the comparative

Red house is bigger than blue house

He is taller than me

Forming the Superlative

We use –est, -st or –iest to form the superlative of one-syllable adjectives. oldolderthe oldest largelargerthe largest happyhappierthe happiest wetwetterthe wettest latelaterthe latest

We use most to form the superlative of adjectives that have two or more syllables comfortablethe most comfortable interestingthe most interesting importantthe most important beautifulthe most beautiful famousthe most famous

A few adjectives have irregular superlative forms. Goodbetterthe best Badworsethe worst Littlelessthe least Manymorethe most Farfartherthe farthest (furtherthe furthest)

We use the superlative form of the adjective to compare three or more people, things, etc.

the + superlative we use the before the superlative

He is the happiest man in the world.

This is the biggest animal.

as + comparative + as

We use as+comparative+as to compare places, people, events or things, when there is no difference.

Tom is 14 years old.

Marry is also 14 years old.

Marry is as old as Tom.

We can show differences by using not as+…….+as.

A dog is not as dangerous as a tiger.

Examples

Robert is young.

Richard is younger than Robert

Bob is the youngest.

This car is expensive

This is more expensive than the first one.

This is the most expensive

The moon is as happy as the sun.

A strawberry is smaller than a pumpkin.

Exercises

Which one is more beautiful?

Which one is faster?

Which one is the most dangerous?

Which man is busier?

Complete the sentences using the comparative form of the verbs. A plane is……(fast) than a car. A bike is ……(cheap) than a motorbike. A city is ……(big) than a village. Winter is …….(cold) than Spring. A motorbike …..(expensive) than a bike. Tv is ……(good) than radio.

Complete the sentences using the superlative form of the verbs. A plane is……(fast) A bike is ……(cheap) A city is ……(big) place Winter is …….(cold) season A motorbike …..(expensive) TV is ……(good) to watch

Choose the correct word or phrase underlined in each sentence. Our journey took longer than/the longest we expected. The fish was so tasty as/as tasty as the meat. This is the taller/tallest building in the world. Reading is more interesting/the most interesting than walking