Grammar Boot Camp: Comparatives and superlatives
Comparatives and Superlatives are special forms of adjectives. They are used to
compare two or more things.
Generally, comparatives are formed using “-er” and superlatives are formed
using “-est”. How you form them, depends on how many syllables the adjective has.
You use comparatives when you are comparing TWO things.
Use with “than” or “but”.
Example: Dogs are cuter than cats.
You use superlatives when you are comparing MORE THAN TWO things.
Use “the” since there is only one.
Example: Kareem is the tallest player on the team.
Adjective form
One syllable, ending in “e”
ex: cute
One syllable, one vowel,
ending in a consonant
ex: fat
One syllable, more than
one vowel, ending in
consonant
ex: bright
Two syllables, ending in “y”
ex: happy
Two or more syllables, not
ending in “y”
ex: beautiful
Comparative
Add “-r”
ex: cuter
Double the consonant and
add “-er”
ex: fatter
Add “-er”
Superlative
Add “-st”
ex: cutest
Double the consonant and
add “-est”
ex: fattest
Add “-est”
ex: brighter
Change the “y” to “i” and
add “-er”
ex: happier
Use “more” before the
adjective
ex: more beautiful
ex: brightest
Change the “y” to “i” and
add “-est”
ex: happiest
Use “most” before the
adjective
ex: most beautiful
Not are so easy! The adjectives “good”, “bad”, and “far” are different.
Adjective
Comparative
Superlative
good
better
best
bad
worse
Worst
far
farther OR further
farthest OR furthest
*Please note that there is no “more better” or “more worse”! Something is either just
plain old better or worse, or the best or worst.
Fill out the chart below with the correct comparative and superlatives.
Adjective form
Comparative
Superlative
deep
ugly
happy
destructive
sad
safe
short
Woo hoo! Grammar Boot Camp is improving our writing one day at a time!
Tomorrow, we’re looking at double negatives. 