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Comparison


Comparison is used to show that things are equal or unequal.

Equal

Often we use as (adjective) as to show that two things are equal. e.g. I am as tall as my father.

Unequal

To show that things are unequal we use comparatives and superlatives.

Comparatives

Comparatives usually use adjective + -er or more + adjective to show that something is more than something. e.g. I am taller than my father.

Superlatives

Superlatives usually use adjective + -est or most + adjective to show that something is the number one. e.g. I am the tallest in my family.

Form

One-syllable comparatives and superlatives are usually formed by adding -er or -est. However, if the word finishes CVC, consonant, vowel, consonant (not w/y), then you need to double the last consonant.
Adjective Comparative Superlative
Most Adjectives: + -er, -est.
old older oldest
tall taller tallest
cheap cheaper cheapest
Adjectives ending in -e: + -r, -st.
late later latest
nice nicer nicest
Ending in CVC: double final C
fat fatter fattest
big bigger biggest
thin thinner thinnest

Adjective Comparative Superlative
Adjectives ending in y use -ier, -iest.
happy happier happiest
easy easier easiest
Some two-syllable adjectives use -er, -est.
narrow narrower narrowest
simple simpler simplest
clever cleverer cleverest
quiet quieter quietest
Others (including adjectives ending -ing, -ed, -ful, -less) use more and most
boring more boring most boring
bored more bored most bored
helpful more helpful most helpful
helpless more helpless most helpless

Longer adjectives of three syllables or more usually use more or most. The main exception are opposites of two-syllable adjectives that end in -y (e.g. unhappy / unhappier / unhappiest).

Adjective Comparative Superlative
Adjectives of three or more syllables use more and most.
intelligent more intelligent most intelligent
practical more practical most practical
beautiful more beautiful most beautiful
Opposites of two-syllable adjectives ending in -y are an exception.
unhappy unhappier unhappiest
untidy untidier untidiest

Some adjectives have irregular comparatives and superlatives.

Adjective Comparative Superlative
good better best
bad worse worst
far farther / further farthest / furthest
old older / elder oldest / eldest

Write either the comparative or superlative of the following adjectives.

Example:

  1. happy (comparative)
    happier

  2. terrible (superlative)
    the most terrible

  3. strong (comparative)
    the strongest

Questions

  1. I’m not very interested in reading. I’m _____ in sports.
    • more interested
  2. small (superlative)
    • smallest
    • the smallest
  3. tall (comparative)
    • taller
  4. My brother is two years _____ than me. (young)
    • younger
  5. Chinese is the _____ language to learn. (difficult)
    • most difficult
  6. far (superlative)
    • furthest
    • the furthest
    • farthest
    • the farthest
  7. Melbourne is as _____ as Sao Paulo in winter. (cold)
    • cold
  8. busy (comparative)
    • busier
  9. Mt Everest is the _____ mountain in the world. (high)
    • highest
  10. These tomatoes aren’t very tasty. The other ones are _____.
    • tastier
  11. cold (comparative)
    • colder
  12. late (superlative)
    • latest
    • the latest
  13. wet (superlative)
    • wettest
    • the wettest
  14. amazing (comparative)
    • more amazing
  15. late (comparative)
    • later
  16. noisy (comparative)
    • noisier
  17. warm (comparative)
    • warmer
  18. cheap (comparative)
    • cheaper
  19. London isn’t very romantic. France is _____.
    • more romantic
  20. Jane is as _____ as Lisa. (smart)
    • smart

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