Comparative and Superlative Forms of Adjectives and Adverbs

Exercises

Explanation

• Positive form: the basic adjective or adverb
  large, quick, beautiful

• Comparative form: compares two things
  larger, more beautiful, quicker

• Superlative form: compares three or more things
  the largest, the most beautiful, the quickest

1. One-syllable adjectives and short adverbs

Most short adjectives and adverbs form comparisons by adding –er (comparative) and –est (superlative).

Examples

• tall → taller → the tallest

• fast → faster → the fastest

Common spelling changes

• Double the final consonant (vowel + consonant):
  big → bigger → the biggest

• Drop final –e:
  close → closer → the closest

• Change y → i after a consonant:
  dry → drier → the driest

Sample sentences

• “This street is quieter at night than during the day.”

• “That is the heaviest suitcase in the whole group.”

2. Two-syllable adjectives ending in –y, –er, –le, –ow

These adjectives often take –er / –est, but more / most is also possible, especially in more formal contexts.

Examples

• happy → happier → the happiest

• narrow → narrower → the narrowest

• simple → simpler / more simple

Sample sentences

• “This path is narrower than I expected.”

• “Lena is always the happiest when she’s outdoors.”

3. Longer adjectives (two or more syllables)

Longer adjectives almost always use more for the comparative and most for the superlative.

Examples

• attractive → more attractive → the most attractive

• comfortable → more comfortable → the most comfortable

Sample sentences

• “The new office chairs are more comfortable than the old ones.”

• “Out of all the ideas, hers was the most creative.”

4. Comparatives and superlatives of adverbs

Adverbs follow rules similar to adjectives:

• Short adverbs: add –er / –est
  hard → harder, the hardest

• Long adverbs: use more / most
  slowly → more slowly, the most slowly
  
  

Sample sentences

• “He finished the puzzle faster than everyone else.”

• “She speaks the most confidently during presentations.”

5. Irregular forms

Some adjectives and adverbs do not follow normal rules.

Sample sentences

• “This solution is better than the previous one.”

• “Of all the students, Max is the least nervous before exams.”

6. Using articles

• Comparatives may use a or the, depending on meaning:
  “This is a cheaper hotel.”
  “This is the cheaper option of the two.”

• Superlatives almost always use the:
  “She is the most experienced member of the team.”

However, after linking verbs like be, the article may be optional:

• “This method is (the) most effective in my opinion.”

7. Using “less” and “the least”

These forms express a lower degree of quality or intensity.

Examples

• “This book is less interesting than the first one.”

• “That was the least useful piece of advice.”

Quick Summary