Mastering English Comparatives and Superlatives Guide
Learn how to use English comparative and superlative adjectives with clear rules, examples, and irregular forms for students and teachers.
Comparatives & Superlatives
Mastering English Adjectives
What are they?
Comparatives are used to compare two things. They usually express that one item has 'more' or 'less' of a quality than the other.
Superlatives are used to compare three or more things. They express that an item has the highest degree of a quality within a group.
One-Syllable Adjectives
For most short adjectives, we simply add suffixes to the end of the word.
Old ➝ Older ➝ Oldest
Tall ➝ Taller ➝ Tallest
Fast ➝ Faster ➝ Fastest
Ending in 'Y'
If a two-syllable adjective ends in 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' before adding the suffix.
Happy ➝ Happier ➝ Happiest
Busy ➝ Busier ➝ Busiest
The CVC Rule
Consonant-Vowel-Consonant words. Double the final consonant before adding -er or -est.
Big ➝ Bigger ➝ Biggest
Hot ➝ Hotter ➝ Hottest
Long Adjectives
For adjectives with 2+ syllables (that don't end in Y), use 'more' and 'most'.
Comparative
Superlative
More beautiful
The most beautiful
More dangerous
The most dangerous
Irregular Adjectives
These do not follow the normal rules. You must memorize them!
Good ➝ Better ➝ Best
Bad ➝ Worse ➝ Worst
Far ➝ Further ➝ Furthest
Example: Speed
The turtle is slow.
The cyclist is faster.
The cheetah is the fastest.
Example: Weather
Comparing Monthly Temperatures
May is warmer than April.
July is the hottest month.
Summary
Short words: Add -er / -est
Ends in Y: Change to -ier / -iest
CVC words: Double the consonant
Long words: Use more / most
Irregular: Good ➝ Better ➝ Best
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