We use comparatives to compare two people or things, and superlatives to compare three or more and show the extreme (the most/least). Use than with comparatives and the with superlatives.
Quick Overview
| Type | Structure | Meaning | Example |
|---|
| Comparative (short adj.) |
adjective + -er + than |
More of a quality |
My car is faster than yours. |
| Comparative (long adj.) |
more + adjective + than |
More of a quality |
This task is more difficult than that one. |
| Superlative (short adj.) |
the + adjective + -est |
Most in a group |
June is the hottest month here. |
| Superlative (long adj.) |
the most + adjective |
Most in a group |
She is the most creative designer on the team. |
1) Forming Comparatives
A) Short adjectives (one syllable)
- Adj + -er + than
- Spelling:
- big → bigger (double final consonant CVC)
- nice → nicer (drop silent e)
- hot → hotter (double final consonant CVC)
This street is narrower than that one.
My phone is faster than my old one.
B) Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y
- Change y → i + -er + than
Today is windier than yesterday.
He is happier than before.
C) Long adjectives (two+ syllables)
This book is more interesting than the movie.
The new route is more convenient than the old one.
Adverbs: Most adverbs use more and most (e.g., carefully → more carefully). Irregular adverbs: well → better, badly → worse, fast → faster.
2) Forming Superlatives
A) Short adjectives (one syllable)
- the + adjective + -est
- Spelling:
- big → the biggest
- nice → the nicest
- hot → the hottest
August is the driest month in my city.
She climbed the highest mountain in the region.
B) Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y
- the + change y → i + -est
It was the funniest show I’ve seen this year.
C) Long adjectives (two+ syllables)
- the most + adjective
- the least + adjective (for the opposite)
That was the most memorable trip of my life.
This is the least expensive option.
3) Irregular Forms
| Base | Comparative | Superlative | Notes |
|---|
| good / well | better | the best | |
| bad / badly | worse | the worst | |
| far | farther / further | the farthest / the furthest | Both are common. |
| little (amount) | less | the least | |
| many / much | more | the most | |
4) Common Patterns
A) Using than with comparatives
The train is cheaper than the plane.
This one is more reliable than that one.
B) Modifying comparatives
Use words to show degree:
- much / far / a lot + comparative → big difference
- a little / slightly + comparative → small difference
This laptop is much lighter than mine.
The new policy is a little more flexible than the old one.
C) With superlatives: groups and places
Use in or of to show the group.
She is the youngest in her family.
It’s the most popular app of the three.
D) Equality: as … as
The test was as hard as last time.
This room isn’t as bright as the kitchen.
5) Forms at a Glance
| Type | Structure | Example |
|---|
| Comparative (short) |
Adj + -er + than |
This road is wider than that one. |
| Comparative (long) |
more + adj + than |
He is more patient than I am. |
| Superlative (short) |
the + adj + -est |
Winter is the coldest season here. |
| Superlative (long) |
the most + adj |
That was the most exciting match of the year. |
| Equality |
as + adj + as |
The soup is as spicy as yesterday’s. |
6) Timelines (Meaning Focus)
Comparative: A < B → A has more/less of a quality than B
Example: This route is more direct than the other.
Superlative: A is the most/least in a group → extreme level
Example: That tower is the tallest in the city.
7) Adjective & Spelling Guide
| Rule | Comparative | Superlative | Examples |
|---|
| One syllable |
-er |
-est |
tall → taller → the tallest |
| Ends with silent -e |
-r |
-st |
nice → nicer → the nicest |
| CVC (consonant–vowel–consonant) |
double last consonant + -er |
double last consonant + -est |
big → bigger → the biggest |
| Ends in -y (two syllables) |
y → i + -er |
y → i + -est |
happy → happier → the happiest |
| Two+ syllables (most others) |
more + adj |
the most + adj |
expensive → more/most expensive |
8) Common Mistakes
- ❌ She is more tall than me. → ✅ She is taller than I am / me.
- ❌ This is the most cheapest option. → ✅ This is the cheapest option. (Don’t use most with -est)
- ❌ He is the most fastest runner. → ✅ He is the fastest runner.
- ❌ My score is more better. → ✅ My score is better. (Irregular form)
- ❌ She’s the tallest of the two. → ✅ She’s taller (use comparative for two).
- ❌ He is as more confident as before. → ✅ He is more confident than before or as confident as before.
9) Extra Tips
- Ever with superlatives: “It’s the best movie I’ve ever seen.”
- One of + the + superlative + plural noun: “She is one of the best players.”
- Adverbs of degree with comparatives: “far/much/a lot/slightly + comparative.”
- Than + subject pronoun: In formal English, use subject forms: “taller than I (am).” Both than I and than me are common in speech.
10) Practice Prompts (for class use)
- Compare two cities you know using three comparatives.
- Describe the best restaurant in your area using two superlatives.
- Write two sentences with as … as and two with not as … as.