Comparisons: Part 1 - Adjectives

I. Comparative Adjectives

S + be/linking-Verbs + Comparative Adj + than + O/(S+Aux)

1/ Adjectives + -er:

We add -er to Short Adjectives to change them into Comparative form. Short Adjectives have only ONE syllable, or TWO syllables ending in -y.

Example: Andrew is taller than Toby. (tall)

These boxes seem bigger those ones. (big)

Building A looks higher than building B is. (high)

The wealthy often live a happier life than the poor do. (happy)

Her dress seems prettier than mine does. (pretty)

2/ More/Less + Long Adjectives:

We use more or less in front of Long Adjectives to change them into Comparative form.

Long Adjectives have TWO OR MORE syllables.

Example: Lamborghini cars are more expensive than BMWs.

Bus drivers are often less careful than taxi drivers are.

Lan sings more beautiful (beautiful) than the other students do.

I walk more slowly (slow) than my father does.

3/ Other situations that use Comparative Adjectives:

Example: English is hard, but Maths is harder.

Playing sport is great, but winning while playing is even greater.

Renting a house is already expensive. Buying one is more expensive.

We use much and far to signal that the difference is huge.

Example: Maths is much harder than English.

They play badminton far better than I do.

Old people move much more slowly than the young.

II. Superlative Adjectives

S + be/linking-Verbs + Superlative Adj ...

1/ The + Adjectives + -est:

We add the before and -est after Short Adjectives to change them into Superlative form.

Example: She is the shortest person in the class. (short)

Summer used to be the hottest season of the year. (hot)

Bus 40 is the busiest bus line. (busy)

The pupperfish is the deadliest fish in the terms of poison. (deadly)

2/ The most/The least + Long Adjectives:

We use the most or the least in front of Long Adjectives to change them into Superlative form.

Example: I don’t want to continue this book. It is the least interesting.

The most important thing in studying is self-study in your free time.

se Comparative form.

Example: Out of the two, Cindy is the prettier one.

Between these two airlines, Vietnam Airlines is the higher-quality one..

II. Comparison of equality:

S + be/linking-Verbs + as/so + Adj + as + O

Example: He is as good as Mary.

They are so bad at Maths as my younger sister.

IV. Special Adjectives/Adverbs:

The following Adjectives/Adverbs do not follow the above rules when changed into Comparative or Superlative form.

good/well >> better >> the best
bad/badly/ill >> worse >> the worst
old >> older/elder >> the oldest/the eldest
far >> farther/further >> the farthest/the furthest
many/much >> more >> the most
little >> less >> the least
clever >> cleverer >> the cleverest
polite >> politer >> the politest
quiet >> quieter >> the quietest
simple >> simpler >> the simplest
stupid >> stupider >> the stupidest
subtle >> subtle >> the subtlest
narrow >> narrower >> the narrowest
shallow >> shallower >> the shallowest

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Related posts:

Comparisons: Part 2 - Adverbs