What are Comparative and Superlative Adjectives?
Comparative and superlative adjectives are used to compare people, things, or places. They help us describe differences in quality, quantity, or degree.
- Comparatives are used to compare two things. Example: My house is bigger than yours.
- Superlatives are used to show the highest degree when comparing more than two things. Example: This is the biggest house on the street.
Forming Comparative Adjectives
To form comparatives, follow these general rules:
- One-syllable adjectives: Add -er. small → smaller
- Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y: Change -y to -ier. happy → happier
- Other two-syllable or longer adjectives: Use more + adjective. beautiful → more beautiful
Forming Superlative Adjectives
To form superlatives, use these rules:
- One-syllable adjectives: Add -est. fast → fastest
- Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y: Change -y to -iest. funny → funniest
- Other adjectives: Use the most + adjective. interesting → the most interesting
Irregular Comparatives and Superlatives List
Some adjectives have irregular forms that do not follow standard rules:
| Adjective |
Comparative |
Superlative |
| good |
better |
best |
| bad |
worse |
worst |
| far |
farther / further |
the farthest / the furthest |
| little |
littler or less |
littlest or least |
| much |
more |
most |
Regular Comparatives and Superlatives List
But many other comparative superlative adjectives have regular forms that follow standard rules:
| Adjective |
Comparative |
Superlative |
| clever |
cleverer or more clever |
cleverest or most clever |
| friendly |
friendlier or more friendly |
friendliest or the most friendly |
| quiet |
quieter or more quiet |
quietest or most quiet |
| sad |
sadder |
saddest |
| pretty |
prettier |
prettiest |
| nice |
Nicer |
Nicest |
| thin |
thinner |
thinnest |
| Difficult |
more difficult |
most difficult |
| expensive |
more expensive |
most expensive |
| narrow |
narrower |
narrowest |
| busy |
busier |
busiest |
| noisy |
noisier |
noisiest |
| interesting |
more interesting |
most interesting |
| lazy |
lazier |
laziest |
| safe |
safer |
safest |
Comparatives vs. Superlatives: What’s the Difference?
Comparatives are used to show how two things are different:
This car is faster than that one.
Superlatives show that one thing is the most or least of all:
This is the fastest car in the world.
Using "Than" with Comparatives
Use the word than after the comparative adjective to introduce what you are comparing:
- He is taller than his brother.
- This book is more interesting than the last one.
Using "The" with Superlatives
Always use the definite article “the” before a superlative adjective:
- She is the smartest student in the class.
- This is the most expensive restaurant in town.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- ❌ He is more taller than me. → ✅ He is taller than me.
- ❌ This is best book. → ✅ This is the best book.
- ❌ This is the more delicious cake. → ✅ This is the most delicious cake.
