Making Comparisons


Objectives
Learn to use comparative and superlative adjectives.
Expand vocabulary with adjectives used for comparison.
Practice comparing people, places, and things.


Comparative Adjectives

We use these to compare two people, places, or things.

Examples
tall - taller
big - bigger
interesting - more interesting

Rule
For short adjectives - one syllable
add -er
tall - taller.

For adjectives ending in -y
change -y to -ier
happy - happier.

For longer adjectives - two syllables +
use more before the adjective
more interesting.


Superlative Adjectives

We use these to compare three or more people, places, or things, identifying the most extreme in some way.

Examples
tall - tallest
big - biggest
interesting - most interesting

Rule:
For short adjectives - one syllable
add -est
tall - tallest.

For adjectives ending in -y
change -y to -iest
happy - happiest.

For longer adjectives - two syllables +
use most before the adjective
most interesting.


Adjectives for Comparison

Examples
small smaller smallest
fast faster fastest
expensive more expensive most expensive

Remember that some adjectives, like 'good', have irregular forms
good better best