Miss. Najet Khalifa Sahli
COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES
FORMING THE COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE
Using the comparative of adjectives in English is quite easy once you
have understood the few simple rules that govern them.
Below you will find the rules with examples for each condition.
Rules
Number of syllables
Comparative
Superlative (see rule)
one syllable
+ -er
+ -est
tall
taller
tallest
one syllable with the spelling consonant + single vowel + consonant: double the final
consonant:
fat
fatter
fattest
big
bigger
biggest
sad
sadder
Saddest
Number of syllables
Comparative
Superlative
two syllables
+ -er OR more + adj
+ -est OR most + adj
ending in: -y, -ly, -ow
ending in: -le, -er or -ure
these common adjectives - handsome, polite, pleasant, common, quiet
happy
happier/ more happy
happiest/ most happy
yellow
yellower/ more yellow
yellowest/ most yellow
simple
simpler/ more simple
simplest/ most simple
tender
tenderer/ more tender
tenderest/ most tender
King Abdul Aziz University ELI
Level 3 North Star
Spring 2010
Reading/Writing- Listening/Speaking
Unit 3: An Amazing Cure
Miss. Najet Khalifa Sahli
If you are not sure, use MORE + OR MOST +
Note: Adjectives ending in '-y' like happy, pretty, busy, sunny, lucky etc:. replace the -y with -ier
or -iest in the comparative and superlative form
busy
busier
busiest
Number of syllables
Comparative
Superlative
three syllables or more
more + adj
most + adj
important
more important
most important
expensive
more expensive
most expensive
Examples



A cat is fast, a tiger is faster but a cheetah is the fastest
A car is heavy, a truck is heavier, but a train is the heaviest
A park bench is comfortable, a restaurant chair is more comfortable, but a sofa is the
most comfortable
COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES
IRREGULAR COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES
These adjectives have completely irregular comparative and superlative forms:
Adjective
Comparative
Superlative
good
better
best
bad
worse
worst
little
less
least
much
more
most
far
further / farther
furthest
COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES
NOT AS + ADJECTIVE + AS
Difference can also be shown by using not so/as ...as:
Examples




Mont Blanc is not as high as Mount Everest
Norway is not as sunny as Thailand
A bicycle is not as expensive as a car
Arthur is not as intelligent as Albert
COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES
King Abdul Aziz University ELI
Level 3 North Star
Spring 2010
Reading/Writing- Listening/Speaking
Unit 3: An Amazing Cure
Miss. Najet Khalifa Sahli
COMPARISONS OF QUANTITY
To show difference: more, less, fewer + than
Examples:
With countable nouns: more / fewer





Eloise has more children than Chantal.
Chantal has fewer children than Eloise.
There are fewer dogs in Cardiff than in Bristol
I have visited fewer countries than my friend has.
He has read fewer books than she has.
With uncountable nouns: more / less





Eloise has more money than Chantal.
Chantal has less money than Eloise.
I spend less time on homework than you do.
Cats drink less water than dogs.
This new dictionary gives more information than the old one.
So, the rule is:
MORE + nouns that are countable or uncountable
FEWER + countable nouns
LESS + uncountable nouns
COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES
AS + ADJECTIVE + AS
Usage
To compare people, places, events or things, when there is no difference, use as + adjective +
as:
Examples





Peter is 24 years old. John is 24 years old. Peter is as old as John.
Moscow is as cold as St. Petersburg in the winter.
Ramona is as happy as Raphael.
Einstein is as famous as Darwin.
A tiger is as dangerous as a lion.
King Abdul Aziz University ELI
Level 3 North Star
Spring 2010
Reading/Writing- Listening/Speaking
Unit 3: An Amazing Cure
Miss. Najet Khalifa Sahli
Exercise on Comparison of Adjectives
Fill in the correct form of the words in brackets (comparative or superlative).
bigger
1.
My house is (big)
than yours.
2.
This flower is (beautiful) more beautiful than that one.
3.
This is the (interesting) most interesting book I have ever read.
4.
Non-smokers usually live (long) longer than smokers.
5.
Which is the (dangerous) most dangerous animal in the world?
6.
A holiday by the sea is (good) better than a holiday in the mountains.
7.
It is strange but often a coke is (expensive) more expensive than a beer.
8.
Who is the (rich) riches woman on earth?
9.
The weather this summer is even (bad) worse than last summer.
10.
He was the (clever) cleverest thief of all
Exercise on Comparison of Adjectives (as ... as)
Fill in the comparison with as ... as.
as tall as
1.
John is (tall)
Glen.
2.
Janet is (beautiful) as Jeniffer. as
3.
You are (crazy) as crazy as my sister.
4.
We can run (fast) as fast as they can.
5.
My mom is (not / strict) not as strict as your mum.
6.
Your mobile phone is (not / trendy) not as trendy as mine.
7.
Matrix II was (not / interesting) not as interesting as Matrix I.
8.
This yoghurt (not / taste / good) does not taste as good as the one I bought yesterday.
9.
I can do (many / press-ups) as many press-ups as you.
10.
I (not / earn / much / money) do not earn as much money as you do
Fill in the correct form of the adjective or adverb.
1.
Once upon a time there were three little pigs who wanted to see the world.
When the they left home, their mum gave them some advice: Whatever you do, do
it the (good)
you can.
King Abdul Aziz University ELI
Level 3 North Star
Spring 2010
Reading/Writing- Listening/Speaking
Unit 3: An Amazing Cure
Miss. Najet Khalifa Sahli
2.
So the three pigs wandered through the world and were the (happy)
pigs you've ever seen.
3.
They were playing (funny)
games all summer long, but then came
autumn and each pig wanted to build a house.
4.
The first pig was not only the (small)
the pigs.
5.
6.
but also the (lazy)
of
He (quick)
built a house out of straw.
The second pig made his house out of wood which was a bit (difficult)
than building a straw house.
7.
The third pig followed his mum's advice and built a strong house out of
bricks, which was the (difficult)
house to build.
8.
The pig worked very (hard)
, but finally got his house ready before
winter.
9.
During the cold winter months, the three little pigs lived (extreme)
(good)
in their houses.
10.
They (regular)
time of their lives
visited one another and had the (wonderful)
Exercise “The three little pigs” – Part 2
Fill in the correct form of the adjective or adverb.
1.
2.
One night, however, a wolf came to the place where the three little pigs
lived. It was the (horrible)
wolf in the whole wide world.
Being (terrible)
hungry, he went straight to the straw house.
3.
"Let me in, little pig," the wolf shouted out (angry)
, "or I'll huff and
I'll puff and I'll blow your house down!"
4.
The pig didn't let him in, but as the house was made out of straw, the wolf
blew it down (easy)
.
5.
The little pig ran to his brother's house as (fast)
wolf followed him to the wooden house.
6.
"Open up, little pigs," he shouted even (angry)
King Abdul Aziz University ELI
Level 3 North Star
Spring 2010
as he could. But the
.
Reading/Writing- Listening/Speaking
Unit 3: An Amazing Cure
Miss. Najet Khalifa Sahli
7.
Then he huffed and puffed and it didn't take him much (long)
blow the house down.
8.
The two pigs (nervous)
house.
ran to their brother who lived in the brick
9.
The wolf followed them (grim)
10.
"Open the door," he shouted (furious)
11.
.
.
As the pigs didn't open, the wolf huffed and puffed (heavy)
the stone house didn't fall down.
12.
to
. But
From all the huffing and puffing the wolf became even (hungry)
.
13.
With his last power he (slow)
through the chimney.
climbed up the house to get in
14.
15.
The pigs saw this and (hasty)
lit a fire.
When the wolf climbed down the chimney, he fell into the fire which was
(awful)
hot.
16.
17.
He burnt his bum (bad)
and ran away.
From that day on, the pigs had no more trouble with the wolf and they lived
(happy)
ever after.
Adjectives: -ed or -ing? English contains numerous -ed or -ing adjective pairs derived from
verbs. To avoid mixing these up, remember that the -ed adjectives are used to describe how you
feel, and the -ing adjectives are used for what it is that makes you feel that way. Here are some
examples:

I feel tired. - Working in the garden all day is very tiring.
 I am bored. - This grammar lesson is boring.
 She was disappointed. - Her math test score was disappointing.
 I'm interested in Ancient Egypt. - I think Ancient Egypt is interesting.
 He was shocked. - He found your behaviour shocking.
 I'm very confused by this film. - This film is very confusing
Q1.
This wet weather is so ......
depressed
depressing
King Abdul Aziz University ELI
Level 3 North Star
Spring 2010
Reading/Writing- Listening/Speaking
Unit 3: An Amazing Cure
Miss. Najet Khalifa Sahli
Q2.
I will be very ..... if she does well in her test.
surprised
surprising
Q3.
My new job is extremely ......
tired
tiring
Q4.
I come home extremely ..... at the end of each day.
tired
tiring
Q5.
He's such a ..... person. He never wants to go out.
bored
boring
Q6.
I'm ...... I have no idea what to do.
confused
confusing
Q7.
Did you hear the ..... news about the accident?
shocked
shocking
Q8.
I'm not very ..... in sport.
interested
interesting
Q9.
I didn't find his joke very ......
amused
amusing
King Abdul Aziz University ELI
Level 3 North Star
Spring 2010
Reading/Writing- Listening/Speaking
Unit 3: An Amazing Cure
Miss. Najet Khalifa Sahli
Q10.
I am ..... of spiders.
frightened
frightening
Q11.
I am ..... with my grade in the grammar test.
disappointed
disappointing
Q12.
The film is very ......
excited
exciting
Q13.
I am ..... about my test grades. They are all quite bad.
depressed
depressing
Q14.
It was not ..... she failed her tests. She never studied.
surprised
surprising
Reduction
1- He wants to go with us. ( Use reduction if possible)
a- He wan to go with us.
b- He wango with us.
c- He wanna to go with us.
d- The sentence cannot be reduced.
2-I am going to buy a car. (Use reduction if possible)
King Abdul Aziz University ELI
Level 3 North Star
Spring 2010
Reading/Writing- Listening/Speaking
Unit 3: An Amazing Cure
Miss. Najet Khalifa Sahli
a- I’ m gonna to buy a car.
b- I’m gonna buy a car .
c- I’m going to buy a car.
d- The sentence cannot be reduced.
3-I am going to the market. (Use reduction if possible)
a- I’ m gonna to the market.
b- I’m going to the market.
c- I’m gonna the market.
d- The sentence cannot be reduced.
4- I want to get the best mark.
a- I wanna to get the best mark.
b- I wanna get the best mark.
c- I wan to get the best mark.
d-The sentence cannot be reduced.
5-Students have to take the final exam.
a- They hafta take the final exam.
b- They’ ve to take the final exam.
c- They hafta to take the final exam.
d- d-The sentence cannot be reduced.
6- Reduced words are used in:
a- reports
b-Writing
c-speaking
d-formal letters
Vocabulary
1- Add prefixes and suffixes to the words between parenthesis to
complete the following sentences.
1- Take a deep breath and shut your eyes! This may be rather …….(pain).
2- We called an ambulance because we thought he needed
hospital………(treat).
3- The doctor said there was nothing he could do. My illness is……….(cure).
King Abdul Aziz University ELI
Level 3 North Star
Spring 2010
Reading/Writing- Listening/Speaking
Unit 3: An Amazing Cure
Miss. Najet Khalifa Sahli
4- Although the surgeon did his best, the operation was……..(success).
5- Sleeping all day, eating too much and never going out is…….(healthy).
6- We read more and more in the newspapers nowadays about
physical………..( fit).
7- A doctor who treats a particular illness is a ……(special)
8- It is ………(legal) to drive without a driving license.
9- The accident victim fell…..(help) on the street.
10She ………(uses) the printer so it broke down. Her husband has to
take it back to the store for repair.
11Since her accident, Jane has been using a wheel chair. She is
……..(able) to walk.
12My mother reads a lot, whenever you ask her a question, she would
have a detailed answer. She is really …….(knowledge).
13Do you think it is (responsible) to leave children alone at home?
14I tried to explain the situation to my friend, but I couldn’t. She had
already ………( understand) the whole thing.
2-Complete with the suitable word from the list
Con artist- pressure - deposit - gullible Reassured- swindled- trusted – victims
prize
- protect -
1- The woman believed that the salesman told her the truth, she…….him.
2- Clara believes any thing you say, she is very…….
3- Every year thousands of people become………..of crimes.
4- A……………is a person who tricks people into giving away
their money.
5- The salesman put the…………on the man to buy the most expensive car.
6- Be careful, you must………….yourself from people who want to take
your money.
7- If you win the game, you will get a big……….
8- The salesman…………..the customer that the washing machine will
never break.
9- If you buy this car, you must give us a 500 pounds………so that we don't
sell the car to someone else.
3 word from t-Complete with the suitable he list
King Abdul Aziz University ELI
Level 3 North Star
Spring 2010
Reading/Writing- Listening/Speaking
Unit 3: An Amazing Cure
Miss. Najet Khalifa Sahli
Clinic
Lie
discovery
miracle
fraud
mistake
guarantee
unproven
harmless
victim
1-Quacks do not tell the truth about their treatments. They __________ so people
will buy their products.
2. The treatment has not been tested or studied. It is _____________.
3. That new “youth” drink does not work. It is a ____________.
4. The diabetes patient went to the _____________ to see her doctor.
5. Every day a new ___________ is made in the study of cancer, but no one has
found a cure.
6. “We ___________ you will feel better in ten days. If you don’t, you can get
your money back.”
7. The young child survived the accident. It was a ________
8. She spent all her money on the diet drink and she didn’t lose any weight. She
was a __________ of a quack.
9. The patient didn’t listen to his doctor and instead went to a quack. The man got
very sick and lost a lot of money. He made a ___________.
10. The diet drink will not hurt you. It’s __________
STYLE
1- Choose the best transition the following pairs of sentences.
1- I use my computer to do a lot of different things ( however/ for example/ in
addition) I pay most of my bills on-line.
2- I was searching on the internet until 3 A.M. this morning; ( therefore/ on the
other hand/ for instance) , I can't keep my eyes open today.
3- I got to bed after 3 A.M.( therefore/ however/ in addition), my friend fell
asleep right after dinner.
4- I was working hard( meanwhile/ for instance/ during) my friend was dreaming
about the next vacation.
5- I' m exhausted ( as a result/ however/ consequently) I have to go to work.
6- Computers have become necessary and indispensable in business( for
instance/ however/ for this reason) most office employees must be computer
literate.
7- Andrew spends a lot of time on his computer( consequently/ for example/ in
contrast)yesterday, he was in front of his screen for almost ten hours.
King Abdul Aziz University ELI
Level 3 North Star
Spring 2010
Reading/Writing- Listening/Speaking
Unit 3: An Amazing Cure
Miss. Najet Khalifa Sahli
8- There are many Chinese acupuncturists in Canada. Many of them studied in
China and traveled to Canada. ( however/ in addition/ for example) many
Canadian doctors are now giving acupuncture treatments.
9- I often drink herbal teas when I m sick. ( Furthermore/ also/ however) If I m
very sick or have a fever , I take modern medicine.
10- My grandmother often goes to an old lady who gives her very expensive
treatments.( for example/ also/ however) These treatments don't usually help
her.
Choose the right answer
1- When we summarize a paragraph, we have to..
a-write all details and the concluding sentence.
b-write the topic sentence and all supporting details.
c-write the topic sentence and the important supporting details.
d-write our opinion and the topic sentence.
Writing
1- Underline the topic sentence.
2- Circle the concluding sentence.
3- Number the supporting details.
You don't have to spend a lot of money at a pharmacy to treat a cold because
there are many inexpensive traditional remedies that are as good as the modern
ones. For example, my grandmother always advised us to drink honey and lemon
juice in hot water to cure a cold. People who study natural medicine now say that
the lemon is good for colds because it kills the germs, and honey contains natural
elements that improve health. In addition, my mother used a natural remedy to
help me breathe better when I had a cold. She put me in a room full of steam.
Doctors still recommend this remedy. Because scientists haven't found any easily
available medicine that kills viruses that cause colds, honey, lemon juice, and
steam might be the most effective treatments available.
King Abdul Aziz University ELI
Level 3 North Star
Spring 2010
Reading/Writing- Listening/Speaking
Unit 3: An Amazing Cure