comparative and superlative © 2004 1 comparative and superlative

© 2004 www.teachit.co.uk 1

Comparative and Superlative

Comparative

and

Superlative



When we compare things we use a different form of the adjective:

fat fatter fattest



•We say that fatter is the comparative form of fat – we are comparing them.

•We say that fattest is the superlative form of fat.



Find the comparative and superlative form of:

high



high

higher

highest



large long warm




large larger largest

long longer longest

warm warmer warmest



Sometimes, instead, we use an extra word before the adjective:

comfortablemore

comfortablemost

comfortable



We say that more comfortable is the comparative form of comfortable – we are

comparing them.

We say that most comfortable is the superlative form of comfortable.



Most words of more than one syllable use more and most

What is the comparative form of miserable?

more miserable

and the superlative?

most miserable



more unusual

most unusual

more intelligent

most intelligent


unusual intelligent



There are some exceptions:

happier happiesthappy

• Words ending in –y add –ier and -iest



cleverer cleverest

quieter quietestquiet

clever

Some two-syllable words add –er and –est:

• clever and quiet add –er and -est

sssh sssh sssh

or



A few three syllable words add –ier and –iest:

unhappy unhappier unhappiest

unlucky unluckier unluckiest



A small group of words can add -er and –est or use more and most:

common

gentle

pleasant

shallow

stupid

cruel

narrow

polite

simple



A few words change completely in the comparative and superlative:

good

better

best

bad

worse

worst



A few words cannot have a comparative or superlative.

Why?

Because they are already absolute

e.g. unique perfect



Some for you to try:

Find the comparative and superlative of:

small

popular

famous

spotless

well

cruel

smaller smallest

more popular most popular

more famous most famous

spotless spotless

better best

crueller/more cruel

cruellest/most cruel

comparative and superlative © 2004 1 comparative and superlative

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