Comparatives and Superlatives
Here are some basic rules for spelling comparatives and superlatives:
Rule 1 - one syllable adjectives or adverbs:
Comparatives Superlatives
Simply add -er Use THE and add -est
Examples: Examples:
smart = smarter smart = the smartest
young = younger young = the youngest
fast = faster fast = the fastest
Rule 1B - One syllable adjectives with a Consonant-Vowel-Consonant
/CVC) Pattern:
If the adjective has a CVC pattern,
If the adjective has a CVC pattern,
double the consonant and add -est. Don't
double the consonant and add -er.
forget THE!
Examples:
Examples:
wet = wetter
wet = the wettest
big = bigger
big = the biggest
sad = sadder
sad = the saddest
Rule 2 - two syllable adjectives ending in Y
Change the Y to I and add -er Change the Y to I and add -est.
Don't forget to use THE!
Examples: Examples:
pretty = prettier pretty = the prettiest
happy = happier happy = the happiest
busy = busier busy = the busiest
Rule 3 - Adjectives or adverbs with two or more syllables (not ending in
Y):
Use MORE Use THE MOST
Examples: Examples:
famous = more famous famous = the most famous
interesting = more interesting interesting = the most interesting
carefully = more carefully carefully = the most carefully
Use of LESS
Less and not as/not so with comparatives
We use less with longer adjectives (interesting, beautiful, complicated), but we
don’t normally use less with short adjectives of one syllable (big, good, high,
small). Instead we use not as … as …, or not so … as … Not as is more
common than not so:
The second method was less complicated than the first one
OR
The second method was not as complicated as the first one
HOWEVER
This new laptop is not as fast as my old one.
NOT : This new laptop is less fast than my old one.) short adjective so we
don’t use less
Comparative adjectives: using much, a lot, far,
etc.
We can strengthen or emphasise a comparative adjective using words such as
much, a lot, far, even or rather, or by using than ever after the adjective:
This food is much better than the food we had yesterday.
The town is a lot more crowded these days because of the new shopping centre.
Alex is far less intelligent than the other kids in the class.
We’ve been busier than ever at work this last month or so.
We can soften a comparative adjective using a little or a bit. A bit is less
formal:
She feels a little more confident now that she’s given her first public
performance.
or She feels a bit more confident … (less formal)
