Adjectives comparative and superlative Form One syllable adjectives

Adjectives comparative and superlative

Form 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 • Modifying superlatives • by far / easily / nearly + superlative adjective

Comparative adjectives are used to compare two things. • John is thinner than Bob. • It’s more expensive to travel by train than by bus. • My house is smaller than my friend’s house. Superlative adjectives are used to compare one thing with the rest of the group it belongs to. • John is the tallest in the class. • He’s the best football player in the team. • This is the most expensive hotel I’ve ever stayed in.

as + adjective + as is used to say that two things are equal in some way. • He’s as tall as me. • Jim’s car is as fast as mine. not as + adjective + as is used to say that two things are not equal in some way. • Jim’s car is not as fast as mine. Comparatives can be repeated to say that something is changing. • These exams are getting worse and worse every year. • She gets more and more beautiful every time I see her.

Additional points Comparatives can be modified with much, a lot, far, a little, a bit, slightly. • Bob is much richer than I am. • My mother’s hair is slightly longer than mine. Superlatives can be modified with by far, easily, nearly. • Mario’s is by far the best restaurant in town. • I’m nearly the oldest in the class.

The is not used with the superlative if there is a possessive. • His strongest point is his ambition. If the second part of a comparative or superlative sentence is clear from what comes before or from the context, we can omit it. • Going by bus is very fast, but the train is more comfortable.

Exercise • https: //www. esl-lounge. com/student/grammar/4 g 2 -thecomparatives. php