COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES
FORMING THE COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE
Number of syllables |
Comparative |
Superlative |
one syllable |
+ -er |
+ -est |
tall |
taller |
tallest |
one syllable with the spelling consonant + single vowel + consonant: double the final consonant: |
||
fat |
fatter |
fattest |
big |
bigger |
biggest |
sad | sadder | saddest |
Number of syllables | Comparative | Superlative |
two syllables | + -er OR more + adj | + -est OR most + adj |
ending in: -y, -ly, -ow |
||
happy |
happier/ more happy |
happiest/ most happy |
yellow | yellower/ more yellow |
yellowest/ most yellow |
simple |
simpler/ more simple |
simplest/ most simple |
tender |
tenderer/ more tender |
tenderest/ most tender |
If you are not sure, use MORE + OR MOST + |
||
busy |
busier |
busiest |
Number of syllables | Comparative | Superlative |
three syllables or more | more + adj | most + adj |
important | more important |
most important |
expensive | more expensive | most expensive |
Examples:
a. A cat is fast, a tiger is faster but a cheetah is the fastest
b. A car is heavy, a truck is heavier, but a train is the heaviest
c. A park bench is comfortable, a restaurant chair is more comfortable, but a sofa is the most comfortable