Skill 27: Form Comparatives and Superlatives Correctly

Use a comparative adjective to compare two nouns. Use a superlative adjective to describe one noun as having the highest or lowest degree of a quality in a group.

_{*Noun phrases.
*Base adjective.
*Comparative or superlative
*Comparison word.
*Comparison group.}

One syllable adjectives: add -er or -est

For many short adjectives, add -er to compare two nouns and -est to describe one noun in a group. Put the before the superlative adjective.

_{*Base adjective.
*Comparative or superlative.}

For example, a car can be faster than a bike, while one car can be the fastest car in a race.

Two syllable adjectives ending in -y: change y to -ier or -iest

When an adjective ends in a consonant plus -y, change y to i before adding -er or -est. Use the before the superlative form.

_{*Base adjective.
*Comparative or superlative.}

For example, one child can be happier than another child, while one can be the happiest child in a class.

Longer adjectives: use more and most

With many adjectives of two or more syllables, put more or the most before the adjective. For example, use more beautiful and the most beautiful.

_{*Noun phrases.
*Comparative or superlative word.
*Adjective.
*Comparison word.
*Comparison group.}

Beautiful keeps its spelling. More makes the comparative adjective, and the most makes the superlative adjective. Do not mix -er or -est with More and The most.

Irregular forms

Some common words do not follow the usual spelling rules. Learn their comparative and superlative forms as separate words.

_{*Base form.
*Comparative or superlative form.}

TOEFL strategy

Look for than with a comparative adjective and usually the with a superlative adjective. Use only one form: smaller, not more smaller; the fastest, not the most fastest. Check that the nouns in a comparison name the same kind of thing.