Today, however, you'll definitely get there: we'll provide not only an explanation, but also exercises on comparatives and superlatives in English that will help you better understand the topic and put it into a real-world context.
Sometimes, in fact, the mistake is to study the theory "alone," without putting it into practice: by doing a complete work, however, you have the opportunity to concretely see what you are studying and your memory is significantly helped.
Continue the lesson!
Comparatives and superlatives are the English forms we use to compare things. The comparative compares two items (taller than), while the superlative marks the highest or lowest degree within a group (the tallest). Most short adjectives add -er and -est, longer ones use more and most, and a small set is irregular. This guide from SPRACHCAFFE explains the rules with a clear table, then gives you three exercises with fully worked answer keys so you can practise straight away.
The comparative and superlative are two forms used to compare the qualities of people, things, or places in English.
The word than follows a comparative (bigger than), and the definite article the introduces a superlative (the biggest).
| Adjective type | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| One syllable (tall) | taller | the tallest |
| One syllable, consonant-vowel-consonant (big) | bigger (double consonant) | the biggest |
| Two syllables ending in -y (happy) | happier | the happiest |
| Two or more syllables (beautiful) | more beautiful | the most beautiful |
Irregular comparatives and superlatives
A few common adjectives change form completely and must be learned by heart:
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| good | better | the best |
| bad | worse | the worst |
| far | farther / further | the farthest / furthest |
| little | less | the least |
| much / many | more | the most |
Fill each gap with the correct comparative or superlative.
Answer key: 1. faster 2. more entertaining 3. taller 4. larger 5. most talented 6. best 7. colder 8. more interesting 9. smartest 10. cheaper
Each sentence contains one error in the comparative or superlative. Correct it.
Answer key: 1. more fatter → fatter 2. the goodest → the best 3. most beautifuler → most beautiful 4. tallestest → tallest 5. more fast → faster 6. more worst → worst 7. most highest → highest 8. more good → better 9. more better → better 10. more hot → hotter
Write both forms of each adjective.
Answer key:
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| happy | happier | happiest |
| sad | sadder | saddest |
| tall | taller | tallest |
| short | shorter | shortest |
| big | bigger | biggest |
| small | smaller | smallest |
| fast | faster | fastest |
| slow | slower | slowest |
| smart | smarter | smartest |
| funny | funnier | funniest |
| serious | more serious | most serious |
| beautiful | more beautiful | most beautiful |
| ugly | uglier | ugliest |
| strong | stronger | strongest |
| weak | weaker | weakest |
| brave | braver | bravest |
| cowardly | more cowardly | most cowardly |
| kind | kinder | kindest |
| mean | meaner | meanest |
| generous | more generous | most generous |
| good | better | best |
| bad | worse | worst |
| far | farther / further | farthest / furthest |
| little | less | least |
| much | more | most |
