Comparative and Superlative Adjectives in English

Dialogue:

Emma: Hi, Jake! Have you noticed that this summer is hotter than last year?

Jake: Yes! It's definitely the hottest summer I can remember. I think the beaches are more crowded than usual too.

Emma: You're right! The new beach near my house is less busy than the main one, though.

Jake: That sounds nice. I bet it's quieter and more relaxing.

Emma: It is! And the water is even clearer than the other beaches. I think it’s the best place to swim!

Jake: That sounds great! Maybe we should go there this weekend.

The friends are talking about the most beautiful beach.

Grammar Explanation

We use comparative adjectives to compare two things and superlative adjectives to show the highest degree of a quality. Let’s look at how to form them.

1. Comparatives: Comparing Two Things

  • To compare two people, places, or things, we often add -er to short adjectives (one syllable).

    • Example: hothotter, smallsmaller

  • If the adjective is longer (two or more syllables), we use more before the adjective.

    • Example: beautifulmore beautiful, crowdedmore crowded

  • For adjectives ending in -y, change y to i and add -er.

    • Example: happyhappier, busybusier

  • If a short adjective ends in one vowel + one consonant, double the consonant before adding -er.

    • Example: bigbigger, thinthinner

2. Superlatives: The Most Extreme Quality

  • To show the highest degree of a quality, we add -est to short adjectives.

    • Example: hothottest, smallsmallest

  • For long adjectives (two or more syllables), we use most before the adjective.

    • Example: beautifulmost beautiful, crowdedmost crowded

  • For adjectives ending in -y, change y to i and add -est.

    • Example: happyhappiest, busybusiest

  • If a short adjective ends in one vowel + one consonant, double the consonant before adding -est.

    • Example: bigbiggest, thinthinnest

3. Irregular Forms

Some adjectives have special comparative and superlative forms:

  • Goodbetterbest

  • Badworseworst

  • Farfarther/furtherfarthest/furthest

Practice Exercises

1. Complete the sentences using the correct comparative form:

  • This test is (easy) __________ than the last one.

  • My house is (big) __________ than yours.

  • This road is (dangerous) __________ than the other one.

2. Complete the sentences using the correct superlative form:

  • That was the (funny) __________ movie I’ve ever seen!

  • Mount Everest is the (high) __________ mountain in the world.

  • Today is the (cold) __________ day of the year.

Remember:

  • Use comparatives to compare two things.

  • Use superlatives when talking about the highest degree of something.

  • Some adjectives have irregular forms, so memorize them!

Now, try using comparative and superlative adjectives in your own sentences!

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