Índice

Introduction...........................................................................................................................................1
Adjectives...............................................................................................................................................2
Comparative adjectives.........................................................................................................................2
Superlative adjectives............................................................................................................................2
Creating Comparative and Superlative Adjectives.............................................................................3
One-Syllable Adjectives........................................................................................................................3
Two-Syllable Adjectives........................................................................................................................4
Three Syllables or More........................................................................................................................4
Irregular adjectives and exceptions......................................................................................................5
Irregular adjectives...............................................................................................................................5
Exceptions..............................................................................................................................................5
Conclusion..............................................................................................................................................6
Bibliographic references.......................................................................................................................7
Introduction

As easy as it is to make use of comparative and superlative adjectives in English, each of them
has its own set of rules for its formation. It is essential to know each one of them in order not to
make mistakes when using these types of adjectives.

In this work, we will look at everything about comparative and superlative adjectives, covering
all the rules behind them, with several examples.

General objectives:

 Analyze adjective forms;

Specific objectives:

 Exemplify comparative and superlative adjective forms;

Methodology

For the materialization of this work, it was possible to review works by authors that deal with the
subject in question, whose references are cited throughout the work and are referenced in the
final bibliography of this work.
 1. Adjectives

Adjectives can compare two things or more than two things. When we make these comparisons,
we use comparative and superlative forms of adjectives.
Adjectives are words that describe, identify, or quantify nouns and pronouns. They help specify
our writing by offering more details about nouns and pronouns.

1.2. Comparative adjectives

Comparative adjectives are used to compare two things they help describe differences between
two nouns.
Comparative Adjective Sentence Formula
Comparative adjectives are generally used in the following sentence structure:
Noun (subject) + verb + comparative adjective + than + noun (object)

Example Sentence:
My television+ is + bigger + than + my computer.
My television is bigger than my computer.

In some cases, the sentence will end after the comparative adjective adjectives and in include the
objects of comparison. This structure is possible when the context has provided enough
information to make the comparison clear.
Example Sentence
My brother is 6 feet tall, but my father is taller. (“Than my brother” is implied)

1.3. Superlative adjectives

When comparing more than two things, you’ll likely use words and phrases like smallest,
biggest, tallest, most interesting, and least interesting. Notice the -est ending and the words most
and least.
Make sure you use the proper ending or superlative adjective when forming these superlatives.
Superlative adjectives are used to compare three or more things. They help describe things on
either end of a spectrum (e.g., smallest and largest, tallest and shortest).

Superlative Adjective Sentence Formula

Just like comparative adjectives, the objects of comparison can sometimes be left out.
Example Sentence:
We took an exam in class today, and I scored the highest. (“in the class” is implied).

2. Creating Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

Changing an adjective into its comparative or superlative form depends on the number of the
syllables in the base form of the adjectives (e.g., small, tall, big).

2.1. One-Syllable Adjectives

The suffix – er will be added for comparative adjectives and –est for superlative adjectives.
When the adjective has a single vowel between two consonants (consonant + single vowel +
consonant), the second consonant will be doubled.
Exemple of a comparative adjective with a Single Vowel between Two Consonant
Adjective: hot
H (consonant) + o (single vowel) + t (second consonant)
Comparative form: hotter
In a sentence: The temperature is hotter today than yesterday.
 Adjectives Comparative Superlative
Fast Faster Fastest
Cheap Cheaper Cheapest
Fresh Fresher Freshest
Big Bigger Biggest
Sad Sadder Saddest

2.2. Two-Syllable Adjectives

For comparative, the suffix –er will be added, or it will be preceded by more. For superlative
adjectives, the suffix –er will be added, or it will be preceded by most. Occasionally, both forms
are used, but one will be more common. When in doubt, use more or most instead of a suffix.
For adjectives ending in y, the y will become an i, and the appropriate suffix will be added.
Adjective Comparative Superlative
Gentle Gentler Gentlest
Clumsy Clumsier Clumsiest
Happy Happier Happiest
Anxious More anxious Most anxious
Polite More polite Most polite

2.3. Three Syllables or More

Comparative adjectives will be preceded by more, and superlative adjectives will be preceded by
most.
Adjectives Comparatives Superlatives
Important More important Most important
Attractive More attractive Most attractive
Embarrassed More embarrassed Most embarrassed
 2.4. Irregular adjectives and exceptions

Although there are several rules for writing in English, these rules often have irregularities and
exceptions. Sometimes, the deviants follow a pattern that makes then easy to spot, but this is not
the case for comparative and superlatives adjectives. Abnormal adjectives simply have to be
committed to memory.

2.4.1. Irregular adjectives

Adjectives are irregular when their comparative and superlative forms do not adhere to the rules
discussed in this handout. The chart below displays some examples of irregular adjectives.
Adjectives Comparatives Superlatives
Good Better Best
Bad Worse Worst
Much More Most
Little Less Least
Far Farther/further Farthest/furthest

2.4.2. Exceptions

Adjectives are exceptions to the rules discussed in this handout when they simply do not have a
comparative and superlative form. Some examples include blind, unique, vertical, wrong, left,
intelligent, complete, perfect, etc.
Conclusion

Adjectives can compare two things or more than two things. When we make these comparisons,
we use comparative and superlative forms of adjectives.
Comparative adjectives describe a noun by comparing it to another noun. Superlative adjectives
describe a noun by comparing it to two or more nouns to the highest or lowest degree.

In many cases, either form of the comparative or superlative can be used, but there is generally a
‘most common’ usage. Additionally, the adjective does not need to end in ‘y’ in order to use the
‘er’ or ‘est’ usage, as the last example in the table shows. Your ear will often be able to
recognize what sounds best.
Bibliographic references

Lunsford, Andrea. The Everyday Writer. 2nd Edition. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2002. Print.

“The comparative and the superlative.” Education First, https://www.ef.edu/english-resources/

english-grammar/comparative-and-superlative/. Accessed 5 November 2020.