Comparing adjectives

Forming comparative adjectives

As well as serving as modifying words like beautiful and big, adjectives are also used for indicating the position on a scale of comparison. The lowest point on the scale is known as the positive form, the middle point is known as the comparative form, and the highest point is known as the superlative form. Here are some examples:

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
This book is long.	This book is longer than that book.	This is the longestbook.
The airport is far.	The airport is farther than the train station.	This is the farthestairport.
My mom is a goodcook.	My mom is a better cook than your mom.	My mom is the bestcook.

The comparative form

When two objects or persons are being compared, the comparative form of the adjective is used. The comparative adjective can be formed in two ways:

For example:

Here are the rules for choosing and forming the right form:

Add	When	Example	Forming and Exceptions
–er	Words of one syllable	This is a longerbook.	Words ending with ‘e‘, add ‘r‘ to the end of the word (e.g., lame → lamer). Words with one vowel and one consonant at the end, double the consonant and add –er to the end of the word (e.g., big → bigger). Words with more than one vowel or more than one consonant at the end, add –er to the end of the word (e.g., hard → harder).
–er	Words of two syllables ending with ‘y‘	This doll is prettier.	Change ‘y‘ to ‘i‘, and add –er to the end of the word.
more	Words of two syllables not ending with ‘y‘	He is morecharming than his friend.	Insert more before the adjective
more	Three syllable words or longer	This is a morepowerful cable.	Insert more before the adjective

When comparing two things, the word than is positioned between the adjective and the thing being compared. For example:

1. Apples are tastier than oranges.
2. This painting is more interesting than that painting.

Superlatives

The superlative is used to say what thing or person has the most of a particular quality within a group or of its kind. The superlative can be formed in two ways:

For example:

1. This is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen.
2. The biggest table in the room.

Here are the rules for choosing and forming the right form:

Add	When	Example	Forming and Exceptions
–est	Words of one syllable	This is the longestbook.	Words ending with ‘e‘, add ‘st‘ to the end of the word (e.g., large → largest). Words with one vowel and one consonant at the end, double the consonant and add –estto the end of the word (e.g., big → biggest). Words with more than one vowel or more than one consonant at the end, add –est to the end of the word (e.g., blue → bluest).
–est	Words of two syllables ending with ‘y‘	This doll is the prettiest.	Change ‘y‘ to ‘i‘, and add –est to the end of the word.
most	Words of two syllables not ending with ‘y‘	He is the mostcharming boy at school.	Insert most before the adjective
most	Three syllable words or longer	This is the mostpowerful story.	Insert most before the adjective

Superlatives are usually preceded by the word the.

Positive form

The positive form is used in cases where there are no differences between the two compared things or persons. To form the positive, we use the word as before and after the positive form of the adjective. For example:

1. Danny is as smart as Phillip.
2. She is as beautiful as her older sister.

This can also be applied in a negative context to indicate that the compared objects are not similar:

1. Danny is not as smart as Phillip.
2. She is not as beautiful as her older sister.

Exceptions (irregular forms)

Certain adjectives have irregular forms in the comparative and superlative degrees:

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
Good	Better	Best
Bad	Worse	Worst
Little	Less	Least
Much/many/some	More	Most

Examples of comparing adjectives

1. This house is bigger than that one.
2. This flower is more beautiful than that.
3. He is taller than Mr. Hulas.
4. He is more intelligent than this boy.
5. Jonathan is the most handsome man on campus.
6. This is the prettiest dress in the window.
7. I lost my most comfortable shoes.
8. My job is worse than yours.

Comparing adjective exercises

1. Choose the comparative adjective in each group of sentences:

Answers: A: 2 – shorter B: 1 – nearer C: 3 – uglier D: 1: more informative

2. Which of the following sentences does not contain a comparing adjective?

Answer:C

3. Choose the superlative adjective in each group of sentences:

Answers: A – 1: best B – 2: most stylish C – 1: clearest D – 3: most exciting

4. Which of the following sentences contains a superlative adjective?

Answer: : B – pinkest

5. Choose the positive adjective in each group of sentences:

Answers: A – 1: red B – 3: good C – 1: sweet D – charming

6. Choose the correct comparing adjective for each sentence:

Answers: A – smart B – quickly C – faster D – messiest

7. Name the type of comparing adjective in each sentence:

Answers: A – positive B – superlative C – comparative D – comparative

8. Choose the sentence with the positive form comparing adjective:

Answer: B

9. Which of the following sentences contains a comparing adjective in the comparative form?

Answer: C – worse

10. Which of the following sentences contains a comparing adjective in the superlative form?

Answer: B – least exciting