COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES We form

COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES

COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES We form the comparative and superlative of short adjectives (e. g. low) and long adjectives (e. g. expensive) in different ways. COMPARATIVE Short word: low: Long word: expensive: lower more expensive SUPERLATIVE (the) lowest (the) most expensive

COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES Short adjectives One-syllable adjectives (e. g. small, nice) usually have the (e)r, (e)st ending. Your hi-fi is smaller. Emma needs a bigger computer. This is the nicest colour. Long adjectives We also use more, most with three-syllable adjectives (e. g. ex-cit-ing) and with longer ones. The film was more exciting than the book. We did the most interesting project. This machine is the most reliable.

TWO-SYLLABLE ADJECTIVES Some two-syllable adjectives have er, est, and some have more, most: a) Words ending in y usually add er, est: happy – happier – happiest. (busy, dirty, easy, funny, happy, lovely, lucky, pretty, tidy. . . ) b) Words ending in er, le, ly add er, est: clever – cleverest early – earlier – earliest but eager, proper. . silly – sillier - silliest noble –nobler – noblest The following words have more, most: a) Words ending in ful or less, e. g. careful, helpful; careless, hopeless b) Words ending in ing or ed, e. g. boring, willing; damaged, surprised, freezing. . . c) Words ending in ard, al, ous, some, ent. . . e. g. awkward, crucial, gorgeous, loathsome, spacious. .

TWO-SYLLABLE ADJECTIVES Some words have er, est or more, most: narrow { narrower - narrowest more narrow - most narrow Examples are: clever, common, cruel, gentle, narrow, pleasant, polite, quiet, simple, stupid, tired. . .

The comparative and than We often use a phrase with than after a comparative. This restaurant is nicer than the Pizza House. I had a bigger meal than you. The steak is more expensive than the fish. than me/than I am Compare than me and than I am. Both are correct, and they have the same meaning. You're twenty years older than me. You're twenty years older than I am. Harriet's husband isn't as tall as her. Her husband isn't as tall as she is. The superlative We normally use the before a superlative. The quickest way is along this path. The last question is the most difficult. Note the pattern with one of: Michael Jackson is one of the most famous pop singers ever.

Spelling of the adjectives using the endings er/est positive comparative superlative larger largest leave out the silent e bigger biggest sadder saddest Double the consonant after short vowel dirty dirtier dirtiest Change y to i (consonant before y) shyer shyest y is not changed to i. (although consonant before -y)

IRREGULAR COMPARISON positive comparative superlative good better best bad / ill worse worst little (amout) less least little (size) much / many far (place + time) smaller more further smallest most furthest far (place) farther farthest late (time) later latest late (order) latter last old (people and things) older oldest old (people) elder eldest

EXCEPTIONS Short adjectives One-syllable adjectives (e. g. small, nice) usually have the (e)r, (e)st ending. Your hi-fi is smaller. Emma needs a bigger computer. This is the nicest colour. but: a) I am getting more and more tired. b) I feel more dead than I did yesterday. a) With adjectives that are also past participles, e. g. forced, lost, torn, burnt, drunk, tired, . . . b) With adjectives that are not gradeable, e. g. true, dead, male, royal, perfect. . .

EXCEPTIONS * Comparison between two persons, items, etc: He is the younger (of the two brothers) * the + comparative. . the + comparative (double the + comparative) the bigger the better The more I swimm, the more energetic I feel. * Doubly marked forms He is the bestest friend i have ever had. This way, it's more easier to see.

Comparison of equality as. . . as We use as. . . as to say that things are equal or unequal. Our house is as big as yours. NOT It is so big as yours. In a negative sentence we can also use so. . . as, but this is less common than as. . . as. This flat isn't as big as/so big as our old one.