Comparative and Superlative Rules
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[eslprof.com/handouts/Info/comparativesuperlativeinfo.doc]
We use the comparative forms (ER or MORE) to make a comparison between
two things or people:
My brother is BIGGER THAN I am. He's SMARTER THAN me, too.
The winter of '96 was a SNOWIER winter THAN the winter of '97.
I have two sons. My MORE INTELLIGENT son is in college.
Sometimes we don't name the second person or thing, but we are thinking
about it, and we know the listener is thinking about it:
I'll see you LATER (than now).
Your work is getting BETTER (than your previous work).
I need a BIGGER hat (than the one I have now).
BETTER is the form that means "more good."
WORSE is the form that means "more bad."
We use the superlative forms (EST or MOST) to single out one thing or
person in a group. We use THE with the superlative:
My brother is THE BIGGEST boy in the family.
Last winter was THE SNOWIEST winter in many years.
These girls are THE MOST INTELLIGENT girls in the school.
THE BEST= "the most good." THE WORST= "the most bad."
We usually name the group or place that the superlative person or thing
is the best or most of something in. If we don't do that, we often
use the present perfect with the superlative:
He's the smartest guy in the class. (but not in the school)
That's the most beautiful sunset [that] I've ever seen!
She's the most beautiful woman in town. (but not in the world)
If you use possessive adjectives (my, his, John's), don't use THE:
She's MY OLDEST daughter. (NOT *She's the my oldest daughter.)
Somebody stole JOHN'S MOST EXPENSIVE pen. (NOT *the John's...)
Comparative and Superlative Rules
page2 of 2
[eslprof.com/handouts/Info/comparativesuperlativeinfo.doc]
Spelling Rules for Comparative/Superlative
no. of syllables
comparative
-----------------------------------------------------------------1 syllable
add ER
fast
big
faster than
bigger than
------------------------------------------------------------------2 syllables that
end in y
change Y to I and
add ER
heavy
heavier than
snowy
snowier than
-------------------------------------------------------------------
2 or more syllables
comparative
-------------------------------------------------------------------2 syllables that
don't end in y
use MORE and
don't add ER!
modern
more modern than
common
more common than
-------------------------------------------------------------------3 or more syllables
use MORE and
don't add ER!
beautiful
more beautiful than
enjoyable
more enjoyable than
--------------------------------------------------------------------
superlative
add EST
the fastest
the biggest
change Y to I and
add EST
the heaviest
the snowiest
superlative
use THE MOST and
don't add EST!
the most common
the most modern
use THE MOST and
don't add EST!
the most beautiful
the most enjoyable