Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
What Are Comparative and Superlative Adjectives?
A comparative adjective compares two things:- Jack is taller than Janet. ("Taller" is an example of a comparative adjective.)
- Jack is tallest in the class. ("Tallest" is an example of a superlative adjective.)
More about Comparative Adjectives
Words like "prettier" and "richer" (formed from the adjectives "pretty" and "rich") are known as comparative adjectives. A comparative adjective is used to show who (or what) has a quality to the greater or lesser degree. (In the first example below, the quality being compared is height.)- You call that high? Blackpool Tower is higher. ("Higher" is the comparative adjective from "high." "High" is the normal adjective. The normal adjective is said to be in the positive degree. The comparative adjective is said to be in the comparative degree.)
- The male fish is more beautiful than the female. ("More beautiful" is the comparative adjective from "beautiful." "Beautiful" is the positive degree. "More beautiful" is the comparative degree.)
More about Superlative Adjectives
Words like "prettiest" and "richest" (formed from the adjectives "pretty" and "rich") are known as superlatives. A superlative is used to show who (or what) has a quality to the greatest or least degree.- It is the most wonderful chocolate fudge I have ever tasted. ("Most wonderful" is the superlative adjective from "wonderful." "Wonderful" is the positive degree. "Most wonderful" is the superlative degree.)
- Adam and Roger are good, but Simon is the best. ("Best" is the superlative adjective from "good." "Good" is the positive degree. "Best" is the superlative degree.)
More Examples of Comparative Adjectives
Here are some more examples of comparative adjectives:- I like both horses, but Misty Blue is a stronger horse on the flat. ("Stronger" is the comparative adjective from "strong.")
- The band must be made from a more precious metal than silver. ("More precious" is the comparative adjective from "precious." This compares the unknown metal with silver, so it's a comparison of two things.)
- Peter is far clumsier. ("Clumsier" is the comparative adjective from "clumsy." From this sentence, we can tell that the speaker is comparing Peter to one other person.)
- Try this question. It is less difficult. ("Less difficult" is the comparative adjective from "difficult." The speaker could have used "easier" instead of "less difficult." Both are fine, but it is a common practice to choose a word with the opposite meaning rather than use the "less" form. For example, most people would use "weaker" instead of "less strong.")
More Examples of Superlative Adjectives
Here are some more examples of superlative adjectives:- Geoff is now officially the strongest man in the world. ("Strongest" is the superlative adjective from "strong." Note that Geoff is being compared to more than two people.)
- The bill is extortionate, and this is the noisiest place I have ever stayed. ("Noisiest" is the superlative adjective from "noisy.")
- It is the least attractive offer, but we are obliged to take it. ("Least attractive" is the superlative adjective from "attractive." From this sentence, we can tell that there were more than two offers.)
- He ranks as one of the most silly people on the planet. ("Silliest" is the superlative adjective from "silly." We will cover the rules for forming comparative and superlative adjectives next.)
- Last week, I stated that this woman was the ugliest woman I had ever seen. I have since been visited by her sister and now wish to withdraw that statement. (Author Mark Twain) ("Ugliest" is the superlative adjective from "ugly.")
Forming Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
The table below shows the rules for forming comparative and superlative adjectives:Type of Adjective | Example in the Positive Degree | How to Form the Comparative Degree | How to Form the Superlative Degree |
---|---|---|---|
one syllable | add er | add est | |
one syllable ending vowel consonant | double consonant and add er | double consonant and add est | |
more than one syllable | add less or more | add most or least | |
more than one syllable ending y | remove y add ier | remove y add iest least silly | |
irregular | no rules | no rules |
Are You Good at Forming Comparative and Superlative Adjectives?
Here's a quick test. (Hint: Check whether you're looking for the comparative degree or the superlative degree before clicking.)Even More about Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
An adjective can be in one of the following three degrees.- The positive degree.
For example: - small, happy, wide, beautiful
- The comparative degree.
For example: - smaller, happier, wider, more beautiful
- The superlative degree.
For example: - smallest, happiest, widest, most beautiful
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