Wonderful English | Comparative and Superlative
Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
Objective:
Understand how to form and use comparative and superlative adjectives.
Practice using these forms in sentences.
1. Introduction to Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
Adjectives describe qualities or states of being (e.g., "big," "fast," "happy"). When comparing two or more
things, we use comparative and superlative forms of adjectives.
Comparative adjectives are used to compare two things or people.
Superlative adjectives are used to show that something or someone has the highest or lowest degree of a quality
among three or more things or people.
2. Formation of Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
Comparative Adjectives:
For one-syllable adjectives, add -er to the adjective.
Example:
þÿtall !’ taller
þÿfast !’ faster
For adjectives ending in "e", add -r.
Example:
þÿlate !’ later
For two-syllable adjectives ending in "y", change the "y" to -ier.
Example:
þÿhappy !’ happier
þÿbusy !’ busier
For adjectives with three or more syllables, use more before the adjective.
Example:
þÿbeautiful !’ more beautiful
þÿintelligent !’ more intelligent
Superlative Adjectives:
For one-syllable adjectives, add -est to the adjective.
Example:
þÿtall !’ tallest
þÿfast !’ fastest
For adjectives ending in "e", add -st.
Example:
þÿlate !’ latest
For two-syllable adjectives ending in "y", change the "y" to -iest.
Example:
þÿhappy !’ happiest
þÿbusy !’ busiest
For adjectives with three or more syllables, use most before the adjective.
Example:
þÿbeautiful !’ most beautiful
þÿintelligent !’ most intelligent
3. Examples:
Comparative:
Sarah is taller than Lisa. (comparing two people)
This book is more interesting than the last one. (comparing two things)
Superlative:
Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world. (among many mountains)
She is the most talented artist in our class. (among several artists)
4. Practice Activities:
Activity 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the adjective.
This car is much __________ (fast) than my old one.
Of all the students, Tom is the __________ (smart).
The movie we watched last night was __________ (good) than the one we saw last week.
That was the __________ (bad) day of my life.
Among the three books, this one is the __________ (interesting).
Activity 2: Answer the questions using comparative or superlative forms.
Which is __________ (big), a lion or a tiger?
Who is the __________ (young) person in your family?
þÿWhat is the __________ (expensive) item you ve ever bought?
Which country is __________ (cold), Canada or Russia?
5. Review and Summary:
Comparative adjectives are used for comparing two things and usually end in -er or use more.
Superlative adjectives are used to describe something as the best or worst in a group of three or more things and
often end in -est or use most.
Homework:
Write 5 sentences using comparative adjectives and 5 sentences using superlative adjectives. Make sure you
compare people, places, or things.
