Comparative and superlative adjectives are used to express different degrees of a quality. Comparatives compare two things, while superlatives show the extreme or highest degree among three or more.
- Comparative: Used for comparing two things.
- Superlative: Used for expressing the highest or lowest degree in a group of three or more.
- Regular adjectives: Add "-er" for comparative, "-est" for superlative (e.g., tall, taller, tallest).
- For adjectives ending in "y," change "y" to "i" (e.g., happy, happier, happiest).
- Use "more" and "most" for longer adjectives (e.g., beautiful, more beautiful, most beautiful).
Comparative Adjectives
Comparative adjectives show a comparison between two people, things, or groups.
- For most short adjectives, add -er: fast → faster.
- If the adjective ends in -y, change -y to -i then add -er: happy → happier.
- For long adjectives (usually 2+ syllables), use more before the adjective: careful → more careful.
- Use than after the comparative form to make the comparison clear.
| Adjective | Comparative | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tall | Taller | She is taller than John. |
| Easy | Easier | This task is easier than that one. |
| Intelligent | More intelligent | He is more intelligent than his brother. |
The correct comparative form of 'happy' is 'happier'.
For long adjectives, use 'more' before the adjective.
Superlative Adjectives
Superlative adjectives express the highest or lowest degree of a quality within a group of three or more.
- For most short adjectives, add -est: fast → fastest.
- If the adjective ends in -y, change -y to -i then add -est: happy → happiest.
- For long adjectives, use most before the adjective: careful → most careful.
- Use the before the superlative form.
| Adjective | Superlative | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tall | Tallest | She is the tallest in the class. |
| Easy | Easiest | This is the easiest exam. |
| Intelligent | Most intelligent | He is the most intelligent student. |
The correct superlative form of 'happy' is 'happiest'.
For long adjectives, use 'most' before the adjective.
Irregular Adjectives
Some adjectives have irregular comparative and superlative forms:
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Better | Best | She is a better singer. He is the best. |
| Bad | Worse | Worst | Today is worse than yesterday. This is the worst day. |
| Far | Farther/Further | Farthest/Furthest | We traveled farther than them. She ran the farthest. |
The irregular forms of 'good' are 'better' (comparative) and 'best' (superlative).
Conclusion
Comparative and superlative adjectives are essential for expressing differences and extremes in qualities.
- Use comparatives to compare two items, and superlatives for the highest/lowest in a group.
- Remember the rules for regular, irregular, and long adjectives.
- Mastery of these forms enhances clarity and precision in communication.
Comparative adjectives are used to compare two things.
Correct superlatives include tallest, most beautiful, and best.