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ACTIVITY 1

Reading Activity

Comparative adjectives are used to compare differences between the two objects they modify (larger, smaller, faster, higher). They are used in sentences where two nouns are compared.

EXAMPLES
  • My house is larger than hers.
  • This box is smaller than the one I lost.
  • Your dog runs faster than Jim's dog.
  • The rock flew higher than the roof.
  • Jim and Jack are both my friends, but I like Jack better. ("than Jim" is understood)

Superlative adjectives are used to compare more than two adjectives

EXAMPLES
  • My house is the largest one in our neighborhood.
  • This is the smallest box I've ever seen.
  • Your dog ran the fastest of any dog in the race.
  • We all threw our rocks at the same time. My rock flew the highest. ("of all the rocks" is understood)

The rules to form comparatives and superlatives:

1. One syllable adjective ending in a silent 'e' — nice

  • Comparative — add 'r' — nicer
  • Superlative — add 'st' — nicest

2. One syllable adjective ending in one vowel and one consonant — big

  • Comparative — the consonant is doubled and 'er' is added —bigger
  • Superlative — the consonant is doubled and 'est' is added—biggest

3. One syllable adjective ending in more than one consonant or more than a vowel (or long vowels) — high, cheap, soft.

  • Comparative — 'er' is added — higher, cheaper, softer.
  • Superlative — 'est is added — highest, cheapest , softest.

4. A two syllable adjective ending in 'y' — happy

  • Comparative — 'y' becomes 'i' and 'er' is added — happier
  • Superlative — 'y' becomes 'i' and 'est' is added — happiest

5. Tow syllable or more adjectives without 'y' at the end — exciting

  • Comparative — more + the adjective + than — more exciting than
  • Superlative — more + the adjective + than — the most exciting 

Examples:

  • The Nile River is longer and more famous than the Thames.
  • Egypt is much hotter than Sweden.
  • Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
  • This is one of the most exciting films I have ever seen.

rregular comparatives and superlatives

Adjectives Comparatives Superlatives
bad worse worst
far(distance) farther farthest
far(extent) further furthest
good better best
little   less least
many more most
much more most

How to use comparatives and superlatives

Comparatives Superlatives
Comparatives are used to compare two things or two people:
Alan is taller than John.		 Superlatives are used to compare more than two things or two people. Superlative sentences usually use 'the':
Alan is the most intelligent.

Similarities

To express similarities use the following structure:

... as + adjective + as ...

Examples:

  • Mike is as intelligent as Nancy.
  • Larry is as popular as Oprah.