CONTENT
  1. Usage
  2. Formation
  3. Irregular Adjectives
  4. Non-Comparable Adjective

Comparative and superlative adjectives compare one thing or person against another or the whole group.

Example

Explanation

Today was a better day than yesterday. Perhaps it was the best day of a month so far.

Better and the best are comparative and superlative forms of the common adjective good.

Usage

Rule 1: We use comparative adjectives to express that a person or thing has more or less of something.

Example

Explanation

This cake is bigger than we expected.

Bigger is a comparative adjective used to express the real size of the cake compared to expectations - there is more of it than expected.

Rule 2: We use superlative adjectives to compare a person or thing (subject) to a group of objects and express that this subject is at the upper or lower limit of a quality.

Example

Explanation

This is the biggest cup of coffee I've ever had.

The biggest is a superlative adjective that expresses the upper limit of a quality (size of a cup) compared to other cups one's had before.

Formation

Rule 3: To form the comparative adjectives, we add the suffix -er to the most single and two-syllable adjectives and we use the word more and the basic form of the adjective with multi-syllable adjectives.

Example

Explanation

This show is funnier than the previous one. The leading actor is more talented than the majority of that cast.

Funnier is a comparative adjective formed by adding the suffix -er to its basic form funny; more talented is a comparative adjective created by adding the world more to its basic form talented.

Rule 4: To form the superlative adjectives, we add the suffix -est to the most single and two-syllable adjectives and we use the word most and the basic form of the adjective with multi-syllable adjectives.

Example

Explanation

This standup show is the funniest I've ever been to. This guy is the most talented comedian in his genre.

The funniest is a superlative adjective formed by adding the suffix -est to its basic form funny; the most talented is a comparative adjective created by adding the world most to its basic form talented.

Note: Superlative adjectives always come with the article the in front of them.

Irregular Adjectives

Rule 5: Some comparative and superlative forms of adjectives are irregular, meaning that we need to learn them by heart.

Here's an overview the most common irregular comparative and superlative adjectives:

AdjectiveComparativeSuperlative
good better the best
bad worse the worst
little less the least
much / many more the most
far further / farther the furthest / the farthest
AdjectiveComparativeSuperlative
good better the best
bad worse the worst
little less the least
much / many more the most
far further / farther the furthest / the farthest

Non-Comparable Adjective

Rule 6: Ungradable or extreme adjectives do not have a comparative or superlative form because they express that something is already very (e.g., hilarious = very funny) or cannot be graded (e.g., dead) at all.

Some of these adjectives include the words pregnant, brilliant, ultimate, immortal, unique, excellent, ancient, complete, perfect, etc.

Quiz

1/4

Choose comparative or superlative form of an adjective to complete the sentence. Your dog runs ___ (fast) than mine.

0

correct answers.