GRAMMAR GUIDE: COMPARISONS
3. Comparisons
Formation Rules
Add -er and -est to form the comparative and superlative of
regular one-syllable adjectives.
Double the final consonant if the adjective ends in a single
vowel + consonant (e.g., big → bigger).
Examples of Adjectives
Comparative: cheaper, later
Superlative: the cheapest, the latest
Time reference: at the moment
Multi-Syllable Adjectives
Use more and the most before adjectives with two or more
syllables (except those ending in *-y*).
For adjectives ending in *-y* after a consonant, change *-
y* to *-i* and add -er/-est:
o happy → happier → the happiest
Income Example
The highest income since the happiest year.
Two-Syllable Adjectives with Two Forms
Some adjectives allow both forms (e.g., *-er*/-est or more/most):
clever, common, friendly, gentle, likely, narrow, pleasant, polite,
quiet, simple, stupid, tired.
Adverb Comparisons
Most adverbs use more and the most.
Exceptions (add -er/-est): fast, hard, late, long, soon.
Irregular Forms
Adjective/Adverb Comparative Superlative
good/well better the best
bad/badly worse the worst
far further/farther the furthest/farthest
Usage Notes
1. Comparative Differences
Use than to compare differences:
o Listening is more difficult than reading.
Small differences: a bit, a little, slightly + comparative:
o Your lounge is slightly bigger than ours.
Large differences: much, (quite) a lot, far, significantly +
comparative:
o My new car is much faster than my old one.
2. Superlatives
Emphasize with by far or easily:
o This is by far the best book I’ve read.
Specify a group with in:
o Steven is the most intelligent boy in the class.
3. Opposites: Less/Least
Less (comparative) and least (superlative) negate more/most:
o Rugby is less popular than football here.
o This is the least friendly bar in town.
Can stand alone:
o You should eat less and exercise more.
4. Countable vs. Uncountable Nouns
Uncountable: less/least (e.g., less chocolate).
Countable (plural): fewer/fewest (e.g., fewer sweets).
5. Showing Similarity
As...as structure:
o She’s just as intelligent as her sister.
Negative comparisons: Replace the first as with so:
o It’s not so difficult as I expected.
o With nouns: not such a... as:
This isn’t such a good idea as I thought.
Degree modifiers:
o Small difference: not quite, nearly, almost:
He’s not quite as impatient as his brother.
o Large difference: not nearly:
Her new film isn’t nearly as bad as her last one.
Quantity comparisons:
o Uncountable: as much (e.g., I don’t weigh as much as
before).
o Countable: as many (e.g., I haven’t got as many chips as
Sally).
6. Same/Different Attributes
Use the same [noun] as with modifiers (just, almost, not
nearly):
o My mum is almost the same age as my dad.
o Nouns: age, color, height, length, size, weight, width.
7. Parallel Changes
The + comparative..., the + comparative...:
o The more money I have, the faster I spend it.
8. Comparing Differences
Structures:
o little/no/(not) a lot of/(not) a great deal of/not much
difference between:
There isn’t much difference between our jobs.
9. Collocations with "More of a"
Make more of an effort/a difference.
Become/pose more of a problem/challenge/threat/danger:
o Smoke can pose more of a danger than flames in a fire.
