Title: COMPARISON

When we compare two things, we use comparative adjectives (An elephant is bigger than a mouse.)

When we are comparing three or more things we can use superlative adjectives (I am the tallest in my family.)

The form the comparative or superlative adjectives take depend on the number of syllable the adjective has.

Comparative adjectives:

- for one syllable words and two syllable words which end in -y: (a bit/ much) older than... ; happier than...
- for longer words with two or more syllables: (a lot/ much) more expensive than
- for negative comparisons: not as expensive as/ not as happy as...

Superlative adjectives:

- for one syllable words and two syllable words which end in -y: the oldest... ; the happiest... (in the world)

Attention

Irregular adjectives

good/ well          better          the best

bad                    worse          the worst

little                   less              the least

one-sylable adjectives

old                   older

tall                   taller most adjectives: + er

cheap              cheaper

wide                 wider

large                larger adjectives ending in e: +r

nice                 nice

big                   bigger

thin                  thinner                one vowel and one consonant: double the consonant + er

fat                    fatter

two-sylabe adjectives

happt                happier

heavy                heavier               all adjectives ending in y: remove the y + ier

easy                  easier

helpful               more helpful       some two-syllable adjectives: more + adjective

longer adjectives

expensive          more expensive

beautiful             more beautiful     adjectives of three or more syllables*: more + adjective

* except: adjectives using the prefix un which normally follow their positive forms.