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.
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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
Practice Exercises
4 exercises
Complete: 'She is ___ than her brother.'
Complete: 'This hotel is ___ than that one.'
Complete: 'This restaurant is ___ than the other one.'
Complete: 'This is ___ movie I've ever seen.'
See Real Examples in Stories
Now that you've practiced, see this grammar in context
“'I feel much better!' Anna said happily.”
“Elena heard about Maria's plans to move to a bigger apartment.”
“'Family is the most important thing in life,' her grandmother said.”
“This was the best day of Marco's tennis life.”
“Emma said she also wanted to know about cheaper plans.”
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