Spelling rules for comparatives and superlatives with one, two and three syllables.
1. One syllable adjectives
Adjective
old
tall
cheap
late
nice
Comparative
older
taller
cheaper
later
nicer
Superlative
oldest
tallest
cheapest
latest
nicest
fat
big
thin
fatter
bigger
thinner
fattest
biggest
thinnest
Most adjectives:
+ -er, -est
Adjectives ending
in: -e
+ -r, -st
One vowel + one
consonant:
double consonant
Irregular comparison
Adjective
good
bad
ill
far
old
little
much/ many
Comparative
better
worse
worse
farther/ further
older/ elder
less
more
Superlative
best
worst
farthest/ furthest
oldest/ eldest
least
most
2. Two syllable adjectives
Adjectives ending in –y have –ier and –iest
happy
easy
happier
easier
happiest
easiest
Some other two-syllable adjectives can have –er and –est, especially adjectives ending
in an unstressed vowel, /l/ or /ɘ(r)/ (the schwa).
narrow
simple
quiet
clever
narrower
simpler
quieter
cleverer
narrowest
simplest
quietest
cleverest
With many two syllable adjectives (e.g polite, common), -er/ -est and more/ most are
both possible. With others (including adjectives ending in –ing, -ed, -ful and –less), only
more/ most is possible. In general, the structure with more/ most is becoming more
common. To find out the normal comparative and superlative for a particular twosyllable adjective, check in a good dictionary.
3. Longer adjectives
Adjectives of three or more syllables have more and most.
intelligent
practical
beautiful
more intelligent
more practical
more beautiful
most intelligent
most practical
most beautiful
Words like unhappy (the opposite of two-syllable adjectives endinɡ in –y) are an
exceptionː they can have forms in –er and -est
unhappy
untidy
unhappier/ more unhappy
untidier/ more untidy
unhappiest/ most unhappy
untidiest/ most untidy
Some compound adjectives like good-looking or well-known have two possible
comparatives and superlatives.
good-looking
better-looking
or more good-looking
best-looking
most good-looking
well-known
better-known
or more well-known
best-known
most well-known
4. Adverbs
Most adverbs have two or more syllables and therefore their comparative and
superlative forms are made using more and most.
e.g. If you speak more clearly, everyone will be able to hear you.
Adverbs that have the same form as adjectives and a few others, have comparatives and
superlatives with –er and –est. The most common are:
fast, early, hard, long, near, high, low, soon, well (better, best), badly (worse, worst)
and in informal English: easy, slow, loud and quick