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. This page will explain the rules for forming regular comparatives and superlatives, and also show some basic ways of using them.Forming regular comparatives and superlativesHow these forms are created depends on how many syllables there are in the adjective. Syllables are like "sound beats". For instance, "sing" contains one syllable, but "singing" contains two -- sing and ing. Here are the rules:Adjective formComparativeSuperlativeOnly one syllable, ending in E. Examples:wide, fine, cuteAdd -R:wider, finer, cuterAdd -ST:widest, finest, cutestOnly one syllable, with one vowel and one consonant at the end. Examples:hot, big, fatDouble the consonant, and add -ER:hotter, bigger, fatterDouble the consonant, and add -EST:hottest, biggest, fattestOnly one syllable, with more than one vowel or more than one consonant at the end. Examples:light, neat, fastAdd -ER:lighter, neater, fasterAdd -EST:lightest, neatest, fastestTwo syllables, ending in Y. Examples:happy, silly, lonelyChange Y to I, then add -ER:happier, sillier, lonelierChange Y to I, then add -EST:happiest, silliest, loneliestTwo syllables or more, not ending in Y. Examples:modern, interesting, beautifulUse MORE before the adjective:more modern, more interesting, more beautifulUse MOST before the adjective:most modern, most interesting, most beautifulHow to use comparatives and superlatives.
Comparatives:
Comparatives are used to compare two things. You can use sentences with THAN, or you can use a conjunction like BUT. Examples:Jiro is taller than Yukio.Yukio is tall, but Jiro is taller.
Superlatives:
Superlatives are used to compare more than two things. Superlative sentences usually use THE, because there is only one superlative. Examples:Masami is the tallest in the class.Yukio is tall, and Jiro is taller, but Masami is the tallest.
Regular Comparatives and Superlatives
