There are three forms of comparison:
- positive
- comparative
- superlative
The simplest form of the adjective is its positive form. When two objects or persons are being compared, the comparative form of the adjective is used. When three or more things are being compared, we use the adjective’s superlative form.- comparative
- superlative
A few adjectives, like good and bad form their comparatives with different words:
That is a good book. This is a better book. Which of the three is the best book?
He made a bad choice. She made a worse choice. They made the worst choice of all.
The comparative forms of most adjectives, however, are formed by adding the suffixes
-er and -est, or by placing the words more and most in front of the positive form.
A - Comparison with -er/-est
clean - cleaner - (the) cleanest
We use -er/-est with the following adjective:
1) adjectives with one syllable
| clean | cleaner | cleanest |
| new | newer | newest |
| cheap | cheaper | cheapest |
2) adjectives with two syllables and the following endings:
2 - 1) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -y
| dirty | dirtier | dirtiest |
| easy | easier | easiest |
| happy | happier | happiest |
| pretty | prettier | prettiest |
2 - 2) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -er
| clever | cleverer | cleverest |
2 - 3) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -le
2 - 4) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -ow
| narrow | narrower | narrowest |
Spelling of the adjectives using the endings -er/-est
| large | larger | largest | leave out the silent -e |
| big | bigger | biggest | Double the consonant after short vowel |
| sad | sadder | saddest | |
| dirty | dirtier | dirtiest | Change -y to -i (consonant before -y) |
| shy | shyer | shyest | Here -y is not changed to -i. (although consonant before -y) |
B - Comparison with more - most
difficult - more difficult - (the) most difficult
all adjectives with more than one syllable (except some adjectives with two syllables - see
2 - 1 to 2 - 4)
2 - 1 to 2 - 4)
C - Irregular adjectives
| good | better | best | |
| bad | worse | worst | |
| much | more | most | uncountable nouns |
| many | more | most | countable nouns |
| little | less | least | |
| little | smaller | smallest |
D - Special adjectives
Some ajdectives have two possible forms of comparison.| common | commoner / more common | commonest / most common |
| likely | likelier / more likely | likeliest / most likely |
| pleasant | pleasanter / more pleasant | pleasantest / most pleasant |
| polite | politer / more polite | politest / most polite |
| simple | simpler / more simple | simplest / most simple |
| stupid | stupider / more stupid | stupidest / most stupid |
| subtle | subtler / more subtle | subtlest |
| sure | surer / more sure | surest / most sure |
Difference in meaning with adjectives:
| far | farther | farthest | distance |
| further | furthest | distance or time | |
| late | later | latest | |
| latter | x | ||
| x | last | ||
| old | older | oldest | people and things |
| elder | eldest | people (family) | |
| near | nearer | nearest | distance |
| x | next | order |
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