Comparatives & Superlatives
Form and use comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs, choosing correctly between them
What a learner can do afterwards
- Form comparatives and superlatives for 'big' (bigger/biggest), 'beautiful' (more/most beautiful), and 'good' (better/best)
- Choose the correct form in 'She runs _____ (faster/more fast) than her brother' and explain the rule
- Write sentences using both a comparative adverb ('more carefully') and a superlative adjective ('tallest') correctly
1 · Read
You already know adjectives describe nouns and adverbs describe verbs. Comparatives and superlatives are special forms of those same words that let you compare two or more things.
Short words like big and fast add -er or -est. Long words like beautiful and carefully use more or most in front instead. Never use both at once.
Good is irregular, so it breaks the normal rule. This cake is good. That cake is better. The cake at the bakery is the best.
Say faster, not more fast. Say more careful, not carefuller. Pick one way to compare, never both.
Comparing two things uses -er or more, comparing three or more uses -est or most, except for irregular words like good, better, best.
More to read
Comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs
Comparative adjectives let you compare two things. If your room is messier than your sister's room, that's a comparative.
Superlative adjectives let you compare three or more things. If your room is the messiest room in the whole house, that's a superlative.
Comparative and superlative adverbs work the same way. Use a comparative adverb to compare two actions, like she runs faster than her brother, and a superlative form to compare three or more, like she works the most carefully of all.
Short words usually add -er for two (bigger) and -est for three or more (biggest). Longer words use more and most instead (more beautiful, most beautiful). A few common words break the pattern, like good turning into better and best.
Glossary: Adjectives and adverbs
adjective: a word that describes a noun or pronoun. Examples: blue hippo, delightful book, three cookies.
adverb: a word that adds information about a verb, an adjective, or another adverb, telling how, when, where, or how much. Examples: burped noisily, very chocolatey, sang yesterday.
comparative adjective: an adjective that compares two nouns or pronouns, usually made by adding -er or by using the word more.
superlative adjective: an adjective that compares three or more nouns or pronouns, usually made by adding -est or by using the word most. Example: the tallest tower.
comparative adverb: an adverb that compares two actions, often made with -er or more. Examples: she finished faster, he spoke more carefully.
Adjectives and adverbs
Adjectives are words that describe nouns and pronouns. You might call a tuna sandwich stinky or delicious.
Adverbs are words that describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They often tell how, when, or where something happened. Many adverbs end in -ly, so you might make your sandwich quickly, carefully, or messily.
2 · Watch
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