COMPARING ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS
In this module, you will learn to use
 Gradable adjectives correctly in comparative and superlative forms
 Gradable adverbs correctly in comparative and superlative forms.
Introduction
We'll learn how to create comparisons with adjectives and adverbs. In comparing the
different levels of intensity, we create gradable constructions.
Adjectives
Gradable constructions for adjectives depend not only on the degree of comparison but
also on the number of syllables in the words being compared. Let's assume we want to
talk about or compare the redness of one, two, or more than two apples.
We use the positive to talk about one.
"This apple is red."
We use the comparative to compare two.
"This apple is redder than that one."
We use the superlative to compare more than two:
"Of the dozen apples, this one is reddest."
One Syllable
We form one-syllable comparatives by adding "er" to the positive form; for example,
"firmer."
We form one-syllable superlatives by adding "est" to the positive form; for example,
"firmest."
We do not construct one-syllable negatives.
Two Syllables
We form most two-syllable comparatives by placing the word "more" before the positive
form; for example, "more useful." Consult your dictionary for two-syllable comparative
construction, as usage varies.
Two-syllable Y-ending and ER-ending adjectives take "er" in the comparative; for example,
"happier, cleverer."
We form all two-syllable negative comparisons by placing "less" or "least" before the
positive form; for example, comparative: "less" hopeful, superlative: "least" hopeful.
Multisyllables
We form all multisyllable comparatives by adding "more" to the positive form; for example,
"more" beautiful, "more" comprehensive.
We form all multisyllable superlatives by adding "most" to the positive form; for example,
"most" wonderful, "most" appealing.
We form all multisyllable negative comparisons by placing "less" or "least" before the
positive form; for example, comparative: "less" adventurous, superlative: "least"
systematic.
Adverbs
Just as we can compare the intensity of adjectives, we can compare the intensity of
adverbs. The number of syllables in the word does not affect comparative adverbs, unlike
comparative adjectives.
Positive Adverbs
We use the positive form of an adverb to make a statement about an action (verb).
"The sprinter ran quickly."
Comparative Adverbs
We construct comparative adverbs by placing "more" before the positive form.
"The freshman sprinter ran more quickly than the senior sprinter ran."
We construct comparative negative adverbs by placing "less" before the positive form.
"The freshman sprinter ran less quickly than the senior sprinter ran."
Superlative Adverbs
We construct superlative adverbs by placing "most" before the positive form.
"Five children cried, but Martin cried most loudly."
We construct superlative negative adverbs by placing "least" before the positive form.
"Of the three candidates, Judy was least qualified for the job."
Exercises
For all 10 questions, select an answer that correctly completes the sentence. The answers
appear after the last question.
1. Both cars are appealing, but the Honda is (expensive, least expensive, less expensive,
expensiver) than the Ford.
A. expensive
B. least expensive
C. less expensive
D. expensiver
2. She told us that this was the (more, most, mostly, mostest) pleasant day she had ever
experienced.
A. more
B. most
C. mostly
D. mostest
3. Management will take a (firm, more firm, most firm, firmer) stand about vacation time
than about pay issues.
A. firm
B. more firm
C. most firm
D. firmer
4. Sam's golf game is (steadier, more steady, steadily, more steadily, steadiest) than
Iskander's game.
A. steadier
B. more steady
C. steadily
D. more steadily
E. steadiest
5. Sam plays his golf game (steadier, more steady, steadily, more steadily) than Iskander
plays his game.
A. steadier
B. more steady
C. steadily
D. more steadily
6. Of the eight applicants who applied for the position, Aaron seemed to be the (more
little, less, least) qualified.
A. more little
B. less
C. least
7. He finished drafting the club bylaws (quicker, more quickly, quicklier) than he did the
club constitution.
A. quicker
B. more quickly
C. quicklier
8. Of the four applicants, Margaret seemed to be the (most, more, mostly) optimistic
about getting the job.
A. most
B. more
C. mostly
9. Margaret completed the inventory (quicker, more quickly, most quickly) than she did
last year.
A. quicker
B. more quickly
C. most quickly
10. Of all the interns on staff, Thuan followed instructions (carefully, more carefully, most
careful, most carefully) than did the others.
A. carefully,
B. more carefully
C. most careful
D. most carefully
Answers
1, C. 2, B. 3, D. 4, A. 5, D. 6, C. 7, B. 8, A. 9, B. 10, B.