1. Comparatives and Superlatives

2. Comparative and Superlative Endings
Add –er to a word to compare two people, places, things, or animals
Add –est to a word to compare three or more people, places, things, or animals.
Don’t forget that some words will be spelled differently when endings are added.

3. tall taller Comparative The dad is taller than the son.
We are comparing two things, the dad and the son.

4. tall tallest Superlative The dad is the tallest person in the family.
We are comparing more than two things, the dad, the mom and the son.

5. Spelling Rules
Add –er to one-syllable adjectives to form the comparative. Add -est to one-syllable adjectives to form the superlative.
cheap - cheaper – cheapest
bright - brighter - brightest

6. Spelling Rules If the adjective ends in –e, add –r or –st.
nice - nicer - nicest
brave – braver- bravest

7. Spelling Rules
If the adjective ends in a consonant +y, change to y to i before you add –er or –est.
pretty - prettier – prettiest
friendly – friendlier - friendliest

8. Spelling Rules
If the adjective ends in a vowel +y, just add –er or –est.
gray - grayer

9. Spelling Rules
If the adjective ends in a consonant-vowel-consonant combination (CVC), double the final consonant before adding –er or –est.
big - bigger - biggest
hot – hotter – hottest
BUT, do NOT double the consonant in words ending in - W or -Y
slow – slowly- slowest

10. fat fatter, fattest happy safe happier, happiest kind safer, safest
Apply the Rules
fat
happy
safe
kind
fatter, fattest
happier, happiest
safer, safest
kinder, kindest

11. Comparatives and Superlatives
Add –er to a word to compare two people, places, things, or animals
Add –est to a word to compare three or more people, places, things, or animals.
Don’t forget about spelling changes when endings are added.