Predicate Adjectives
Positive, comparative & superlative forms
Sixth Grade ELA
Adjectives
You can call them describing words. They modify nouns.
pretty sunset
brave girl
fierce dog
scary movie
busy weekend
loyal friend
cool kid
fun time
sly fox
Adjectives like these, that are placed right before
the noun, are referred to as regular adjectives.
However, there is another kind, the
predicate adjective.
Predicate Adjectives
Remember that a predicate basically means a verb.
Predicate adjectives often tell how something is.
Hawaiian sunsets are pretty.
That was a scary movie!
Serena is one cool kid.
Predicate adjectives modify the subject, and are
connected to the subject by a linking verb.
The wall is purple.
subject = wall
linking verb = is
predicate adjective = purple
Comparative Predicate Adjectives
compare two things, and use –er or more:
Rona is taller than Melissa.
Melissa is more athletic than Rona.
Superlative Predicate Adjectives
compare three or more things, and use –est or most:
Rona is the tallest kid in our class.
Melissa is the most talkative kid in sixth grade.
When we’re not really comparing things, we use what
we call the positive form. (Vampires are scary!)
How do we know when to use
-er/-est or more/most?
Number of syllables
Juan is funnier than Reggie. (funny = 2 syllables)
Hawaii has the most beautiful sunsets in the world.
Listen to how it sounds.
Practicing is the effectivest way to learn a skill. (NO!)
Practicing is the most effective way to learn a new skill. (YES!)
Can’t we use BOTH -er/-est and
more/most?
No!
You only need to say someone is funnier.
You don’t need to say they are more funnier.
That is like saying
baby puppy!
“Aw, that’s the
most cutest
baby puppy
I’ve ever seen!”
When you’re describing, think about…
1. Which form of predicate adjective to use:
Positive, Comparative or Superlative?
2. Will you use -er/-est or more/most?
Three or more syllables = more/most
(Sounding it out can also help you decide)
Instructions
You are to work in teams of three or four.
Everyone should copy all ten of the sentences.
As a team you should correctly complete as
many sentences as you can.
The team with the most correct will be crowned
the champion.
Good Luck!
Group work: Number 1-10 on paper and fill in the blanks.
(You don’t need to write the entire sentence.)
Be creative! Remember the rules for using comparative or
superlative and for using –er/-est or more/most.
1. My sister’s wedding ring is the __________ one I’ve ever seen.
2. The food in our school cafeteria is __________ than the food at Haltom
Middle School.
3. The dress Maia got for Valentine’s Day is the ________ one at the mall.
4. Billy’s truck is way __________ than Sammy’s.
5. Reptiles are __________ than mammals.
6. Of all the students in the class, Paul is the __________.
7. I had the __________ weekend ever!
10. You look __________ than the cat today.
11. When I get home today, I’m going to make the __________ sundae
ever.
12. “Hunger Games” is __________ than “Star Wars.”
Some/More/Most Posters
(Enrichment/Extra Credit Project)
1. Think of an adjective.
For example: Hairy
2. Write it in its three forms.
Think: Would you use –er/-est or more/most?
You may need a dictionary to help you decide.
hairy, hairier, hairiest OR hairy, more hairy, most hairy?
3. Make a poster with three sections to illustrate the positive,
comparative, and superlative form of your adjective.
4. On the back, write a paragraph explaining your poster.
Some/More/Most Posters (Enrichment/Extra Credit)
May be drawn OR created electronically and e-mailed
Harry Styles is
hairy.
The “Duck Dynasty”
guys are hairier.
Positive
Elmo, however,
is the hairest
one of all!
Comparative
Superlative
My Explanation (back of poster)
The adjective I used was “hairy.” Harry Styles
has always had a lot of hair, so I chose him
to illustrate the positive form of my
adjective. Because the guys from “Duck
Dynasty” have crazy long beards, I
compared them with Harry Styles for the
comparative form of my adjective. Elmo,
with his red fur-covered body, is the hairiest
of all three. I used him to show the
superlative form of my adjective.
Notes
Adjectives
You can call them ______________ words.
They modify ______________ .
pretty sunset
brave girl
fierce dog
scary movie
busy weekend
loyal friend
cool kid
fun time
sly fox
Adjectives like these, that are placed right before
the noun, are referred to as ___________ adjectives.
However, there is another kind, the
__________________ ___________________ .
Predicate Adjectives
Remember that a ______________ basically means a verb.
______________ ______________ often tell how something is.
Hawaiian sunsets are pretty.
That was a scary movie!
Serena is one cool kid.
Predicate adjectives modify the ______________ , and are
connected to the subject by a ______________ verb.
The wall is purple.
subject = wall
linking verb = is
predicate adjective = purple
Comparative Predicate Adjectives
compare two things, and use –_____ or _______:
Rona is taller than Melissa.
Melissa is _________ athletic than Rona.
Superlative Predicate Adjectives
compare _______________ things, and use –_____ or _______:
Rona is the tallest kid in our class.
Melissa is the _________talkative kid in sixth grade.
When we’re not really comparing things, we use what
we call the _________ ____ form. (Vampires are scary!)
How do we know when to use
-er/-est or more/most?
Number of ______________
Juan is funnier than Reggie. (funny = 2 syllables)
Hawaii has the ___________ beautiful sunsets in the world.
Listen to _________________________
Practicing is the effectivest way to learn a skill. (NO!)
Practicing is the most effective way to learn a new skill. (YES!)