Comparative adjectives
Comparative adjectives are used to compare differences between the two objects they modify (larger, smaller, faster, higher). They are used in sentences where two nouns are compared, in this pattern:
Comparative and superlative exercises. Positive, comparative and superlative adjectives. Comparison: lower intermediate level exercises. Esl exercises. Adjectives: comparative and superlative 1. Complete the chart with the comparatives and superlatives: Adjective Comparative Superlative long longer than the longest fast faster than pretty the prettiest beautiful more beautiful than ugly uglier than thin the thinnest fashionable more fashionable than 2. Through various writing and speaking tasks, students practice the equative, comparative, and superlative form of adjectives and adverbs. The exercises progress from separate adjective and adverb tasks to mixed exercises to ensure students know the difference between the forms. To view and print this. COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES Comparative and Superlative Practice Comparatives and Superlatives Adjectives are used to describe nouns. If two nouns are being compared to one another, we use comparative adjectives. When comparing three or more nouns, we use superlative adjectives. Adjective form Comparative form Superlative form Only one.
Noun (subject) + verb + comparative adjective + than + noun (object).
- In this comparatives and superlatives worksheet activity, students complete a survey and then write comparative and superlative sentences about the results. Each student is given a copy of the worksheet. The students answer six questions on the worksheet and write their answers in the second column of the table.
- These comparative and superlative adverbs worksheets give good practice with writing in the comparative and superlative form. Our comparative and superlative adverbs worksheets are free to download and easy to access in PDF format. Use these comparative and superlative adverbs worksheets at school or at home.
The second item of comparison can be omitted if it is clear from the context (final example below).
Examples
- My house is larger than hers.
- This box is smaller than the one I lost.
- Your dog runs faster than Jim's dog.
- The rock flew higher than the roof.
- Jim and Jack are both my friends, but I like Jack better. ('than Jim' is understood)
Superlative adjectives
Superlative adjectives are used to describe an object which is at the upper or lower limit of a quality (the tallest, the smallest, the fastest, the highest). They are used in sentences where a subject is compared to a group of objects.
Noun (subject) + verb + the + superlative adjective + noun (object).
The group that is being compared with can be omitted if it is clear from the context (final example below).
Examples
- My house is the largest one in our neighborhood.
- This is the smallest box I've ever seen.
- Your dog ran the fastest of any dog in the race.
- We all threw our rocks at the same time. My rock flew the highest. ('of all the rocks' is understood)
Forming regular comparatives and superlatives
Forming comparatives and superlatives is easy. The form depends on the number of syllables in the original adjective.
One syllable adjectives
Add -er for the comparative and -est for the superlative. If the adjective has a consonant + single vowel + consonant spelling, the final consonant must be doubled before adding the ending.
Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
---|---|---|
tall | taller | tallest |
fat | fatter | fattest |
big | bigger | biggest |
sad | sadder | saddest |
Two syllables
Adjectives with two syllables can form the comparative either by adding -er or by preceeding the adjective with more. These adjectives form the superlative either by adding -est or by preceeding the adjective with most. In many cases, both forms are used, although one usage will be more common than the other. If you are not sure whether a two-syllable adjective can take a comparative or superlative ending, play it safe and use more and most instead. For adjectives ending in y, change the y to an i before adding the ending.
Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
---|---|---|
happy | happier | happiest |
simple | simpler | simplest |
busy | busier | busiest |
tilted | more tilted | most tilted |
tangled | more tangled | most tangled |
Three or more syllables
Adjectives with three or more syllables form the comparative by putting more in front of the adjective, and the superlative by putting most in front.
Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
---|---|---|
important | more important | most important |
expensive | more expensive | most expensive |
Irregular comparatives and superlatives
These very common 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 / farthest |
Examples
- Today is the worst day I've had in a long time.
- You play tennis better than I do.
- This is the least expensive sweater in the store.
- This sweater is less expensive than that one.
- I ran pretty far yesterday, but I ran even farther today.
Comparative Superlative and adjectives list from A to Z
List of comparative superlative and adjectives from A to Z
Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
angry | angrier | angriest |
bad | worse | worst |
big | bigger | biggest |
bitter | bitterer | bitterest |
black | blacker | blackest |
bland | blander | blandest |
bloody | bloodier | bloodiest |
blue | bluer | bluest |
bold | bolder | boldest |
bossy | bossier | bossiest |
brave | braver | bravest |
brief | briefer | briefest |
bright | brighter | brightest |
broad | broader | broadest |
busy | busier | busiest |
calm | calmer | calmest |
cheap | cheaper | cheapest |
chewy | chewier | chewiest |
chubby | chubbier | chubbiest |
classy | classier | classiest |
clean | cleaner | cleanest |
clear | clear | clearest |
clever | cleverer | cleverest |
close | closer | closest |
cloudy | cloudier | cloudiest |
clumsy | clumsier | clumsiest |
coarse | coarser | coarsest |
cold | colder | coldest |
cool | cooler | coolest |
crazy | crazier | craziest |
creamy | creamier | creamiest |
creepy | creepier | creepiest |
crispy | crispier | crispiest |
cruel | crueller | cruellest |
crunchy | crunchier | crunchiest |
curly | curly | curliest |
curvy | curvier | curviest |
cute | cuter | cutest |
damp | damper | dampest |
dark | darker | darkest |
deadly | deadlier | deadliest |
deep | deeper | deepest |
dense | denser | densest |
dirty | dirtier | dirtiest |
dry | drier | driest |
dull | duller | dullest |
dumb | dumber | dumbest |
dusty | dustier | dustiest |
early | earlier | earliest |
easy | easier | easiest |
faint | fainter | faintest |
fair | fairer | fairest |
fancy | fancier | fanciest |
far | further/farther | furthest/farthest |
fast | faster | fastest |
fat | fatter | fattest |
few | fewer | fewest |
fierce | fiercer | fiercest |
filthy | filthier | filthiest |
fine | finer | finest |
firm | firmer | firmest |
fit | fitter | fittest |
flaky | flakier | flakiest |
flat | flatter | flattest |
fresh | fresher | freshest |
friendly | friendlier | friendliest |
full | fuller | fullest |
funny | funnier | funniest |
gentle | gentler | gentlest |
gloomy | gloomier | gloomiest |
good | better | best |
grand | grander | grandest |
grave | graver | gravest |
greasy | greasier | greasiest |
great | greater | greatest |
greedy | greedier | greediest |
gross | grosser | grossest |
guilty | guilter | guiltiest |
hairy | hairier | hairiest |
handy | handier | handiest |
happy | happier | happiest |
hard | harder | hardest |
harsh | harsher | harshest |
healthy | healthier | healthiest |
heavy | heavier | heaviest |
high | higher | highest |
hip | hipper | hippest |
hot | hotter | hottest |
humble | humbler | humblest |
hungry | hungrier | hungriest |
icy | icier | iciest |
itchy | itchier | itchiest |
juicy | juicier | juiciest |
kind | kinder | kindest |
large | larger | largest |
late | later | latest |
lazy | lazier | laziest |
light | lighter | lightest |
likely | likelier | likeliest |
little | littler | littlest |
lively | livelier | liveliest |
lonely | lonlier | loneliest |
long | longer | longest |
loud | louder | loudest |
lovely | lovelier | loveliest |
low | lower | lowest |
mad | madder | maddest |
mean | meaner | meanest |
messy | messier | messiest |
mild | milder | mildest |
moist | moister | moistest |
narrow | narrower | narrowest |
nasty | nastier | nastiest |
naughty | naughtier | naughtiest |
near | nearer | nearest |
neat | neater | neatest |
needy | needier | neediest |
new | newer | newest |
nice | nicer | nicest |
noisy | noisier | noisiest |
odd | odder | oddest |
oily | oilier | oiliest |
old | older/elder | oldest/eldest |
plain | plainer | plainest |
polite | politer | politest |
poor | poorer | poorest |
pretty | prettier | prettiest |
proud | prouder | proudest |
pure | purer | purest |
quick | quicker | quickest |
quiet | quieter | quietest |
rare | rarer | rarest |
raw | rawer | rawest |
rich | richer | richest |
ripe | riper | ripest |
risky | riskier | riskiest |
roomy | roomier | roomiest |
rough | rougher | roughest |
rude | ruder | rudest |
rusty | rustier | rustiest |
sad | sadder | saddest |
safe | safer | safest |
salty | saltier | saltiest |
sane | saner | sanest |
scary | scarier | scariest |
shallow | shallower | shallowest |
sharp | sharper | sharpest |
shiny | shinier | shiniest |
short | shorter | shortest |
shy | shyer | shyest |
silly | sillier | silliest |
simple | simpler | simplest |
sincere | sincerer | sincerest |
skinny | skinnier | skinniest |
sleepy | sleepier | sleepiest |
slim | slimmer | slimmest |
slimy | slimier | slimiest |
slow | slower | slowest |
small | smaller | smallest |
smart | smarter | smartest |
smelly | smellier | smelliest |
smoky | smokier | smokiest |
smooth | smoother | smoothest |
soft | softer | softest |
soon | sooner | soonest |
sore | sorer | sorest |
sorry | sorrier | sorriest |
sour | sourer | sourest |
spicy | spicier | spiciest |
steep | steeper | steepest |
stingy | stingier | stingiest |
strange | stranger | strangest |
strict | stricter | strictest |
strong | stronger | strongest |
sunny | sunnier | sunniest |
sweaty | sweatier | sweatiest |
sweet | sweeter | sweetest |
tall | taller | tallest |
tan | tanner | tannest |
tasty | tastier | tastiest |
thick | thicker | thickest |
thin | thinner | thinnest |
thirsty | thirstier | thirstiest |
tiny | tinier | tiniest |
tough | tougher | toughest |
true | truer | truest |
ugly | uglier | ugliest |
warm | warmer | warmest |
weak | weaker | weakest |
wealthy | wealthier | wealthiest |
weird | weirder | weirdest |
wet | wetter | wettest |
wide | wider | widest |
wild | wilder | wildest |
windy | windier | windiest |
wise | wiser | wisest |
worldly | worldlier | worldliest |
worthy | worthier | worthiest |
young | younger | youngest |
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Comparative And Superlative Exercises
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