2. Adjectives are describing words. They tell us about the colour, size, shape, nature, quality or condition of a
noun. Examples are: blue, green, round, square, good, old, tall, brave, beautiful, tired, happy, exhausted
etc.
The basic types of adjectives
An opinion adjective explains what you think about something (other people may not agree with you).
Opinion
For example: silly, beautiful, horrible, difficult
A size adjective, of course, tells you how big or small something is.
Size
For example: large, tiny, enormous, little
An age adjective tells you how young or old something or someone is.
Age
For example: ancient, new, young, old
A shape adjective describes the shape of something.
Shape
For example: square, round, flat, rectangular
A colour adjective, of course, describes the colour of something.
Colour
For example: blue, pink, reddish, grey
An origin adjective describes where something comes from.
Origin
For example: French, lunar, American, eastern, Greek
A material adjective describes what something is made from.
Material
For example: wooden, metal, cotton, paper
A purpose adjective describes what something is used for. These adjectives often end with “-ing”.
Purpose
For example: sleeping (as in “sleeping bag”), roasting (as in “roasting tin”)
2
3. Where a number of adjectives are used together, the order depends on the function of the adjective. The usual order is:
Value/opinion, Size, Age/Temperature, Shape, Colour, Origin, Material/Purpose
3
4. Positive Adjectives
The positive adjective is the simple form of the adjective without expressing increase or diminution of the
original quality: big.
Comparative Adjectives (+er)
The comparative adjective is that form of the adjective which expresses increase or diminution of the quality:
bigger. Examples are older than or more expensive than or bigger than or faster than or taller than etc.
Adjectives are compared in two ways, either by adding -er to the positive to form the comparative and -est to
the positive to form the superlative. The following adjectives are exceptions to this rule ( irregular ):
1.- good becomes better or best. 2.- bad becomes worse or worst
Superlative Adjectives (+est)
The superlative adjective is that form which expresses the greatest increase or diminution of the quality:
biggest. An adjective is in the superlative form when it expresses a comparison between one and a number of
individuals taken separately; "John is the richest man in Boston."
4
5. An adjective is also in the positive form when it does not express comparison; as, "A rich man." Adjectives of
two or more syllables are generally compared by prefixing more and most. Example: Paris is the most romantic
city in the world.
Using the comparative of adjectives in English is quite easy once you have understood
the few simple rules that govern them.
Below you will find the rules with examples for each
condition.
5
6. Number of Comparative Superlative
syllables
one syllable + -er + -est
tall taller tallest
one syllable with the spelling consonant + single vowel + consonant: double the final
consonant:
fat fatter fattest
big bigger biggest
sad sadder saddest
two syllables + -er OR more +
+ -est OR most + adj
adj
happy happier/ more happy happiest/ most happy
simple simpler/ more simplest/ most simple
simple
If you are not sure, use MORE + OR MOST +
Note: Adjectives ending in '-y' like happy, pretty, busy, sunny, lucky etc:. replace the -y with -
ier or -iest in the comparative and superlative form
busy busier busiest
three more + adj most + adj
syllables or
more
important more important most important
expensive more expensive most expensive
6
7. Examples
• A cat is fast, a tiger is faster but a cheetah is the fastest
• A car is heavy, a truck is heavier, but a train is the heaviest
• A park bench is comfortable, a restaurant chair is more comfortable, but a sofa is the most comfortable
These 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
7
8. 1. To compare the difference between two people, things or events.
• Mt. Everest is higher than Mt. Blanc.
• Thailand is sunnier than Norway.
• A car is more expensive than a bicycle.
• Albert is more intelligent than Arthur.
2. To compare people, places, events or things, when there is no difference (use as + adjective + as).
• Peter is 24 years old. John is 24 years old. Peter is as old as John.
• Moscow is as cold as St. Petersburg in the winter.
• Ramona is as happy as Raphael.
• Einstein is as famous as Darwin.
• A tiger is as dangerous as a lion.
3. Difference can also be shown by using not so/as ...as: (NOT AS + ADJECTIVE + AS)
• Mont Blanc is not as high as Mount Everest
• Norway is not as sunny as Thailand
• A bicycle is not as expensive as a car
• Arthur is not as intelligent as Albert
8
