Unit 1 - Grammar Handout

Comparative and Superlative
There are different ways we can compare things. We can use both adjectives and adverbs to
make comparisons.
1. When saying something is the same, use as + adjective/adverb + as
e.g. Running is as healthy as swimming.
You ate the cake as quickly as the dog.
2. When saying something is NOT the same, use not as + adjective/adverb + as

e.g. Math isn’t as interesting as English.
She doesn’t speak English as well as German.
3. Use the comparative to compare two or more things.

e.g. This pencil is longer than that one.
Skiing is more interesting than swimming.
Riccardo drives more slowly than Juan.
4. Use the superlative to express maximum and minimum.

e.g. This pencil is the longest.
Skiing is the most interesting sport.
Riccardo drives the most slowly of all of us.
Notice the different spelling rules when creating comparatives and superlatives from one-
syllable words and words with two or more syllables.
One-syllable adjectives
Spelling Rule Adjective Comparative Superlative
adjectives ending in a consonant: tall taller tallest
add -er or -est clean cleaner cleanest
adjectives ending in -e: add -r or -st nice nicer nicest
large larger largest
adjectives ending in a vowel + big bigger biggest
consonant: double the consonant hot hotter hottest
and add -er or -est
adjectives ending in -y: replace the - happy happier happiest
y with -ier or -iest easy easier easiest
Adjectives with two or more syllables
put more or most before the interesting more interesting most interesting
adjective beautiful more beautiful most beautiful
*you can also use less or least. Less famous less famous least famous
is the opposite of more and least is
the opposite of most.
Irregular adjectives
good -> better -> best
bad -> worse -> worst
far -> further -> furthest
When creating the comparative and superlative forms of adverbs, we usually use more and
most. If the adverb has the same form as the adjective, we use -er and -est. The same spelling
rules apply as for adjectives. Some adverbs are irregular.
Adverb Comparative Superlative

slowly more slowly most slowly
carefully more carefully most carefully
quietly more quietly most quietly
often more often most often
fast faster fastest
early earlier earliest
late later latest
soon sooner soonest
near nearer nearest
hard harder hardest
well better best
badly worse worst
little less least
When comparing two things, we use the comparative form of the adjective or adverb and the
word than.
verb adjective (comparative)

is bigger
A feels more difficult than B
wasn’t funnier
aren’t better
e.g. Sharon is more beautiful than Hilda.
My car is faster than yours.
My jokes aren’t funnier than his.
We can use modifiers to express the extent of the difference.

- big difference: much, far, a lot
e.g. She is much smarter than him.
This car is far less expensive.
- small difference: a bit, a little, slightly

e.g. I feel a bit better today.
My house is a little smaller than Mike’s house.
We use the comparative to say something is changing.

e.g. You are getting smarter and smarter.
It is raining harder and harder.
He is getting taller and taller.
We use The + comparative, the + comparative to talk about two things that change together.
e.g. The longer we wait, the harder it will be to do it.

The older I get, the happier I feel.
The more you study, the better grades you get.
When saying a thing is the most or the least of something, we use the and the superlative form
of an adjective or an adverb.
verb adjective (superlative)
was biggest
A are the most difficult
will be funniest
aren’t best
e.g. Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.

I want the fastest car you have.
This is the worst possible answer.
We often use the superlative with present perfect and ever.

e.g. She is the most beautiful woman I have ever met.
This is the fastest car I have ever driven.
That was the least interesting movie I have ever seen.
We can also use the superlative to place something in a position after the first place and to
show that it is important but not the only important one.
e.g. This is the second largest swimming pool in the world.
It is one of the most intelligent beings on this planet.

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Comparative and Superlative

2. When saying something is NOT the same, use not as + adjective/adverb + as

3. Use the comparative to compare two or more things.

4. Use the superlative to express maximum and minimum.

Adverb Comparative Superlative

verb adjective (comparative)

We can use modifiers to express the extent of the difference.

- small difference: a bit, a little, slightly

We use the comparative to say something is changing.

e.g. The longer we wait, the harder it will be to do it.

e.g. Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.

We often use the superlative with present perfect and ever.

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