Comparatives and Superlatives Adjectives
What do we use them for?
- We use comparative adjectives to compare two things.
- We use superlative adjectives to compare one thing with the rest of the group it belongs to.
- We use as + adjective + as to say that two things are equal in some way.
- We use not as + adjective + as to say that two things are not equal in some way.
- We can repeat comparatives to say that something is changing.
- e.g. These exams are getting worse and worse every year.
One syllable adjectives
Comparative: add -er (cheaper)
Superlative: add -est (the cheapest)
One syllable adjectives ending in 'e'
Comparative: add -r (nicer)
Superlative: add -st (the nicest)
One syllable adjectives ending in consonant - vowel - consonant
Comparative: add consonant + er (hotter)
Superlative: add consonant + est (the hottest)
Two syllable adjectives ending in 'y'
Comparative: replace 'y' with ier (happier)
Superlative: replace 'y' with iest (the happiest)
Two or more syllable adjectives
Comparative: add more / less (more / less beautiful)
Superlative: add the most / the least (the most / least beautiful)
Irregular adjectives
good - better - the best
bad - worse - the worst
far - further - the furthest
Equality and inequality
as + adjective + as
not as + adjective + as
Modifying comparatives
much / a lot / far / a little / a bit / slightly + comparative adjective
We can modify comparatives with much, a lot, far, a little, a bit, slightly.
Cristina is much richer than I am.
My mother's hair is slightly longer than mine.
Modifying superlatives
by far / easily / nearly + superlative adjective
We can modify superlatives with by far, easily and nearly.
Mario's is by far the best restaurant in town.
I'm nearly the oldest in the class.
* We do not use “the” with the superlative if there is a possessive.
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