Comparison of Adjectives

Exercise on Positive Form and Comparison of Adjectives

Positive Form
Use the positive form of the adjective if the comparison contains one of the following expressions: as as

Example: Jane is as tall as John.

not as as / not so as

Example: John is not as tall as Arnie.

Comparative Form and Superlative Form (-er/-est)

one-syllable adjectives (clean, new, cheap) two-syllable adjectives ending in -y or -er (easy, happy, pretty, dirty, clever)

positive form
clean

comparative form
cleaner

superlative form
(the) cleanest

Exceptions in spelling when adding -er / -est silent e is dropped Example: late-later-latest final y after a consonant becomes i Example: easy-easier-easiest final consonant after short, stressed vowel is doubled Example: hot-hotter-hottest

Comparative Form and Superlative Form (more/most)

adjectives of three or more syllables (and two-syllable adjectives not ending in -y/-er)

positive form
difficult

comparative form
more difficult

superlative form
most difficult

Comparative Form and Superlative Form (irregular comparisons)

positive form
good

comparative form
better best

superlative form

bad / ill

worse

worst

little (amount)

less

least

little (size)

smaller

smallest

much / many

more

most

far (place + time)

further

furthest

far (place)

farther

farthest

late (time)

later

latest

late (order)

latter

last

near (place)

nearer

nearest

near (order)

next

old (people and older things)

oldest

old (people)

elder

eldest

Exercise on Comparison of COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES

FORMING THE COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE

Using the comparative of adjectives in English is quite easy once you have understood the few simple rules that govern them. Below you will find the rules with examples for each condition. If you are not sure what a syllable or a consonant is - have a look here.

Rules
Number of syllables one syllable tall Comparative + -er taller Superlative (see rule) + -est tallest

one syllable with the spelling consonant + single vowel + consonant: double the final consonant: fat big sad Number of syllables two syllables fatter bigger sadder Comparative + -er OR more + adj fattest biggest saddest Superlative + -est OR most + adj

ending in: -y, -ly, -ow ending in: -le, -er or -ure these common adjectives - handsome, polite, pleasant, common, quiet happy yellow simple tender happier/ more happy yellower/ more yellow simpler/ more simple tenderer/ more tender happiest/ most happy yellowest/ most yellow simplest/ most simple tenderest/ most tender

If you are not sure, use MORE + OR MOST + Note: Adjectives ending in '-y' like happy, pretty, busy, sunny, lucky etc:. replace the -y with -ier or -iest in the comparative and superlative form busy busier busiest

Number of syllables

Comparative

Superlative

three syllables or more important expensive

more + adj more important more expensive

most + adj most important most expensive

Examples

A cat is fast, a tiger is faster but a cheetah is the fastest A car is heavy, a truck is heavier, but a train is the heaviest A park bench is comfortable, a restaurant chair is more comfortable, but a sofa is

the most comfortable

Fill in the correct forms.

Positive Form
exciting

Comparative
more exciting

Superlative
most exciting

Adjectives of three or more syllables are compared with more/most. fat fatter fattest

After a short stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled when adding -er/-est. poor poorer poorest

One-syllable adjectives are compared with -er/-est. terrible more terrible most terrible

Adjectives of three or more syllables are compared with more/most. silly sillier silliest

Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y/-er are compared with -er/-est (y becomes i). Fill in the correct forms.

Positive Form
difficult

Comparative
more difficult most difficult

Superlative

Adjectives of three or more syllables are compared with more/most. unhappy unhappier unhappiest

 This adjective derives from a positive two-syllable adjective ending in y. Therefore the negative form is also compared with -er/-est. cloudy cloudier cloudiest

Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y/-er are compared with -er/-est (y becomes i). high higher highest

One-syllable adjectives are compared with -er/-est. mad madder maddest

After a short stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled when adding -er/-est.

Exercise on Comparison of Adjectives

Fill in the correct form of the words in brackets (comparative or superlative).

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

My house is bigger

than yours. than that one. book I have ever read. than smokers. animal in the world? than a holiday in the mountains. than a beer.

This flower is more beautiful This is the most interesting Which is the most dangerous A holiday by the sea is better Who is the richest He was the cleverest

Non-smokers usually live longer

It is strange but often a coke is more expensive woman on earth? The weather this summer is even worse thief of all.

than last summer.

Exercise on Comparison of Adjectives (as ... as)

Fill in the comparison with as ... as.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

John is as tall as Glen. Janet is as beautiful as Jeniffer. You are as crazy as my sister. We can run as fast as they can. My mom is not as strict as your mum. Your mobile phone is not as trendy as mine. Matrix II was not as interesting as Matrix I. This yoghurt does not taste as good as I can do as many press-ups as you. the one I bought yesterday.

10.

I do not earn as much money as

you do.