Comparing two things, or many
Use a comparative to compare two things (taller than). Use a superlative to say something is at the top or bottom of three or more (the tallest).
tall
adjective
taller
comparative
the tallest
superlative
Short adjectives: -er / -est
| Rule | Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|---|
| One syllable: add -er / -est | fast | faster | the fastest |
| Ends in -e: add -r / -st | large | larger | the largest |
| One vowel + one consonant: double | big, hot | bigger, hotter | the biggest, the hottest |
| Ends in consonant + y: -ier / -iest | happy, easy | happier, easier | the happiest, the easiest |
Long adjectives: more / the most
Adjectives with two or more syllables (except those ending in -y) use more and the most: more expensive, the most beautiful. Never use both: “more taller” is wrong.
Short: add -er / -est
- cheap → cheaper → the cheapest
- easy → easier → the easiest
Long: more / most
- expensive → more expensive → the most expensive
- modern → more modern → the most modern
Irregular forms
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| good | better | the best |
| bad | worse | the worst |
| far | farther / further | the farthest / furthest |
| little | less | the least |
Rule
Patterns to remember
- Comparative + than: Cars are faster than bicycles.
- the + superlative + in (a place or group) / of (a number): the tallest in the class, the best of all.
- Equal: as + adjective + as: She is as tall as her brother. Not equal: not as … as.
- Make a comparison stronger or weaker: much / a lot / a bit / slightly + comparative: much cheaper, a bit slower.
Lots of examples
- My bag is heavier than yours.Short adjective.
- This exercise is more difficult than the last one.Long adjective.
- Cairo is the biggest city in Africa.Superlative + in.
- She is the most talented player in the team.Long superlative.
- Today is hotter than yesterday.Double consonant.
- English is easier for me than Chinese.easy → easier.
- This is the best pizza I’ve ever eaten.Irregular superlative.
- His English is getting better every month.Irregular comparative.
- The train is as fast as the bus. (about the same speed)Equality.
- The film wasn’t as good as the book.Not equal.
- This laptop is much cheaper than that one.Stronger comparison.
- Of all my friends, Omar is the funniest.Superlative + of.
Don’t say / Say
Don’t sayShe is more tall than me.
SayShe is taller than me.Why: Short adjectives take -er.
Don’t sayIt is the most cheap hotel.
SayIt is the cheapest hotel.Why: Short adjective → the + -est.
Don’t sayThis is more better.
SayThis is better.Why: Better is already a comparative.
Don’t sayHe is taller that me.
SayHe is taller than me.Why: Use than, not that.
Don’t sayShe is the cleverest of the class.
SayShe is the cleverest in the class.Why: Use in for a group or place.