Comparatives and superlatives
Compare two things, and say which one is number one in a group.
12 minElementary
1The grammar
Use a comparative to compare two people or things. We often use 'than' after it: This hotel is cheaper than that one. Use a superlative to say that one person or thing is number one in a group: This is the cheapest hotel in the city.
Short adjectives add -er and the -est: cheap, cheaper, the cheapest. If the adjective ends in e, add only -r or -st: nice, nicer, the nicest. If it ends in one vowel + one consonant, we usually double the last letter: big, bigger, the biggest. If it ends in a consonant + y, change y to i: easy, easier, the easiest.
Longer adjectives use more and the most: expensive, more expensive, the most expensive. Do not use both forms together: say 'bigger', not 'more bigger'.
Some adjectives are irregular: good, better, the best; bad, worse, the worst; far, further, the furthest. Americans also often say 'farther' and 'the farthest'.
2Structure and formation
Short adjective
adjective + -er + than; the + adjective + -est
faster than; the fastest
Consonant + y
y becomes -ier / -iest
easier than; the easiest
Long adjective
more + adjective + than; the most + adjective
more modern than; the most modern
Irregular
good - better - the best; bad - worse - the worst
This coffee is better than that one.
3Examples
This suitcase is lighter than that one.
Short adjective: -er + than.
My new office is bigger than my old one.
Double the g: bigger.
The exam was easier than I thought.
Consonant + y: easier.
This is the most expensive restaurant in town.
Long adjective: the most.
She is the youngest person in our team.
Superlative: the + -est.
This is the best pizza in the city.
Irregular: good - better - the best.
The weather was worse in the north.
Irregular: bad - worse - the worst.
4Common mistakes
This is more cheap than that.
This is cheaper than that.
Short adjectives use -er, not 'more'.
She is more better than me at tennis.
She is better than me at tennis.
'Better' is already a comparative, so do not add 'more'.
He is taller that his brother.
He is taller than his brother.
After a comparative, use 'than', not 'that'.
It is the most big city in the country.
It is the biggest city in the country.
Short adjectives use -est, not 'the most'.
Paris is the expensivest city on our trip.
Paris is the most expensive city on our trip.
Long adjectives use 'the most', not -est.
5Practical usage
Shopping and choosing
Use comparatives to choose between two things: This laptop is cheaper, but that one is faster.
Recommending places
Use superlatives to give advice: This is the best café in the area. It has the nicest staff.
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