A2 English GrammarComparatives & Superlatives
Compare things using -er/-est or more/most. Express bigger, smaller, the best, the worst. Learn irregular forms and comparison structures.
1Short Adjectives: -er / -est
For short adjectives (1 syllable, or 2 syllables ending in -y), add -er for comparative and -est for superlative. Use 'than' after comparatives. Use 'the' before superlatives.
Short Adjective Forms
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| tall | taller | the tallest |
| big | bigger | the biggest |
| happy | happier | the happiest |
| nice | nicer | the nicest |
Examples
She is taller than me.
She is taller than me.
-er + than
This is the biggest house on the street.
This is the biggest house on the street.
the + -est
Today is hotter than yesterday.
Today is hotter than yesterday.
double consonant: hot → hotter
She's the happiest person I know.
She's the happiest person I know.
y → iest
2Long Adjectives: more / most
For longer adjectives (2+ syllables, except -y), use 'more' for comparative and 'most' for superlative. Don't add -er/-est to these adjectives.
Long Adjective Forms
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| beautiful | more beautiful | the most beautiful |
| expensive | more expensive | the most expensive |
| interesting | more interesting | the most interesting |
| comfortable | more comfortable | the most comfortable |
Examples
This hotel is more expensive than that one.
This hotel is more expensive than that one.
more + adjective + than
She's the most intelligent student in class.
She's the most intelligent student in class.
the most + adjective
This book is more interesting.
This book is more interesting.
more + long adjective
3Irregular Comparatives
Some common adjectives have irregular comparative and superlative forms. These must be memorized as they don't follow the regular patterns.
Irregular Forms
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| good | better | the best |
| bad | worse | the worst |
| far | farther/further | the farthest/furthest |
| little | less | the least |
| much/many | more | the most |
Examples
This restaurant is better than the other one.
This restaurant is better than the other one.
good → better
This is the worst movie I've ever seen.
This is the worst movie I've ever seen.
bad → the worst
I need more time.
I need more time.
much → more
She has the most experience.
She has the most experience.
much → the most
4Comparison Structures
Learn useful comparison structures: 'as...as' for equality, 'not as...as' for inequality, 'less...than' for reverse comparison, 'the...the' for parallel changes.
Comparison Structures
| Structure | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| as + adj + as | equal | as tall as |
| not as + adj + as | less than | not as expensive as |
| less + adj + than | reverse comparison | less interesting than |
| the more...the more | parallel change | The more, the merrier |
Examples
He's as tall as his father.
He's as tall as his father.
equal comparison
This isn't as difficult as I thought.
This isn't as difficult as I thought.
not as...as
The sooner, the better.
The sooner, the better.
the...the structure
He's getting better and better.
He's getting better and better.
increasing change