The two basic ways to compare are using as .. as or than. Examples of each are shown below:
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, in this pattern:
We use than when we want to compare one thing with another:
- He's twice as old as his brother.
- She's not as stupid as she looks!
- He's almost as good in maths as in science.
- This book is not as exciting as the last one.
- The cafeteria is not as crowded as usual.
- Russian is not quite as difficult as Chinese.
We use than when we want to compare one thing with another:
Noun (subject) + verb + comparative adjective + than + noun (object).
- This computer is better than that one.
- This box is smaller than the one I lost.
- She is two years older than me.
- My house is larger than hers.
- She's stronger at chess than I am.
- It's much colder today than it was yesterday.
- Our car is bigger than your car.
- New York is much bigger than Boston.
- The rock flew higher than the roof.
- This grammar topic is easier than most others.
- Harry and Jack are both my friends, but I like Jack better. ("than Harry" is understood)
- He is a better player than Neymar.
- I find science more difficult than mathematics.
- France is a bigger country than Britain.
- Today's ESL lesson was more interesting than usual.
- Your dog runs faster than Jon's dog.
When comparing with as .. as, the adjective does not change.
When comparing with than, however, some changes are necessary, depending on the number of syllables the adjective has:
- 1-syllable adjectives: add -er to the adjective
My brother is much taller than me.
It's colder today than it was yesterday.
Note: If the word ends: consonant-vowel-consonant, then the last consonant is usually doubled in the comparative. Examples: big-bigger, fat-fatter, hot-hotter
We need a bigger garden
- 2-syllable adjectives ending in -y: change the -y to -ier
She's looking happier today.
I’m feeling happier now.
This grammar topic is easier than the last one.
Why is everyone else luckier than me?
Beware: Do not confuse adjectives and adverbs. 2-syllable adverbs ending in -y must be compared with the word more. Example: I drive more quickly (quicklier) than my brother.
- Other 2-syllable adjectives: use more with the unchanged adjective
The shops are always more crowded just before Christmas.
Is there anything more boring than reading about grammar?
My sister is more careful with her writing than I am with mine.
Note: The comparative of some shorter 2-syllable adjectives can be formed with -er. Examples: simple-simpler, clever-cleverer, narrow-narrower. To be sure which comparative method to use, you will need to consult a good dictionary.
- Adjectives with 3 or more syllables: use more with the unchanged adjective
Russian grammar is more difficult than English grammar.
My sister is much more intelligent than me.†
I find maths lessons more enjoyable than science lessons.
The older you get, the more irritating you become.
SUPERLATIVE ADJECTIVES
Superlative adjectives are used to describe an object which is at the upper or lower limit of a quality (the tallest, the smallest, the fastest, the highest). They are used in sentences where a subject is compared to a group of objects.
Noun (subject) + verb + the + superlative adjective + noun (object).
In the superlative you talk about one thing only and how it is the best, worst, etc. You do not compare two things. The following guidelines apply to the superlative:
We use the with a superlative:
- 1-syllable adjectives: add -est to the adjective (plus the)
My sister is the tallest in our family.
This is the smallest box I've ever seen.
Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
That’s the best film I have seen this year.
Yesterday was the coldest day of the year so far.
Your dog ran the fastest of any dog in the race.
My house is the largest one in our neighborhood.
I have three sisters, Hannah is the oldest and Miley is the youngest .
We all threw our rocks at the same time. My rock flew the highest. ("of all the rocks" is understood)
Note: If the word ends: consonant-vowel-consonant, then the last consonant is usually doubled in the superlative. Examples: big-biggest, fat-fattest, hot-hottest.
- 2-syllable adjectives ending in -y: change the -y to -iest (plus the)
The richest people are not always the happiest.
Which do you think is the easiest language to learn?
It was the happiest day of my life.
She's the luckiest person I know.
Beware: Do not confuse adjectives and adverbs. 2-syllable adverbs ending in -y form their superlative with the words the most. Example: Of all the people I know my father drives the most quickly (quickliest).
- Other 2-syllable adjectives: use the most with the unchanged adjective
The most boring thing about ESL class is doing grammar exercises.
My sister is the most careful person I know.
Note: The superlative of some shorter 2-syllable adjectives can be formed with -er. Examples: simple-simplest, clever-cleverest, narrow-narrowest. To be sure which superlative method to use, you will need to consult a good dictionary.
- Adjectives with 3 or more syllables: use the most with the unchanged adjective
Some people think that Russian is the most difficult language.
Albert Einstein was the most intelligent person in history.
My most enjoyable class is English.
You are the most irritating person I have ever met!
Following are two common irregular comaparative/superlative forms:
good-better-the best
bad-worse-the worst
The following guidelines apply to the comparative/superlative of most adverbs:
- 1-syllable adverbs: add -er/-est
I can run faster than you. / I can run the fastest in my class.
She works harder than me.† / She works the hardest of all students.
Other adverbs: use more / the most
She ran more quickly than me. / Of all the students she ran the most quickly.
When we want to describe how something or someone changes we can use two comparatives with and:
The balloon got bigger and bigger.
Everything is getting more and more expensive.
Grandfather is looking older and older.
We often use the with comparative adjectives to show that one thing depends on another:
When you drive faster it is more dangerous
> The faster you drive, the more dangerous it is.
When they climbed higher it got colder
> The higher they climbed, the colder it got.
Adjective Comparative Superlative
(ONE SYLLABLE ADJECTIVES)
tall taller tallest
fat fatter fattest
big bigger biggest
sad sadder saddest
(TWO SYLLABLES)
happy happier happiest
simple simpler simplest
busy busier busiest
tilted more tilted most tilted
tangled more tangled most tangled
(THREE OR MORE SYLLABLES)
important more important most important
expensive more expensive most expensive
(IRREGULAR COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES)
good better best
bad worse worst
little less least
much more most
far further / farther furthest / farthest
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