grammar for comparatives and superlatives with excercises

1. COMPARATIVE
ADJECTIVES
English II

2. Comparatives
Comparatives are used to show the difference between two objects.
The VW Duneis bigger than the Smart for two”.
To learn to use these we need to learn
some basic rules:

3. • RULE 1
If an adjective has 1 syllable or two we add
the ending –er to the adjective.
– small + er = smaller than
– hard + er = harder than
The ant is smaller than the hippo.

4. • Rule 2. If a one syllable adjective ends
with a consonant + a vowel + a consonant
you must double the last consonant and
then ad –er.
big + er = bigger than
fat + er = fatter than
• Exceptions: adjectives ending in W, X, Y, Z
The elephant is fatter than
the giraffe.

5. • Rule 3. If an adjective with 2 syllables ends
with a “Consonant and a y”, remove the “y”
and add –ier.
happy –y + ier = happier than
funny –y + ier = funnier than
The girl is happier than
the duck.

6. • Rule 4. If an adjective has three syllables, then add
the word “more” before the adjective.
Note: it doesn’t matter if ends with Y.
beautiful + more = more beautiful than
expensive + more = more expensive than
satisfactory + more = more satisfactory than
The butterfly is more beautiful
than the frog.

7. • Rule 5. If an adjective ends with E, just add the R
large = larger than
strange = stranger than
Colored Frogs are stranger than Green Frogs

8. Rule 6. There are a few exceptions.
good = better than
bad = worse than
little = less than
much = more than
far = farther than
I am better than you

9. Rule 7. if the adjective ends with ing
add more.
Example boring
Tennis is more boring than soccer

10. Remember, when using a comparative you
must always follow it with the word “than”.
The Smart for two is smaller than the VW Dune
The VW Dune is bigger than the smarth for two.
The ant is smaller than the hippo.
The elephant is fatter than the giraffe.
The girl is happier than the duck.
The butterfly is more beautiful than the frog.

16. Superlatives
Superlatives are used to show the difference between
more than two objects.
The Durango is big so we can say :
“The Durango is the biggest”.
Because the Smart for two is small we can say:
“The Smart for two is the smallest”.
To learn to use these we need to learn some basic rules.

17. The ant is the smallest.
• Rule 1. If an adjective has 1 or 2 syllable we
add the ending –est to the adjective.
i.e. small + est = the smallest
i.e. hard + est = the hardest

18. The hippo is the fattest.
• Rule 2. If a one syllable adjective ends with a
consonant + a vowel + a consonant you must
double the last consonant and ad –est.
i.e. big + est = the biggest
i.e. fat + est = the fattest
Exceptions : w/x/y/z

19. The elephant is the heaviest.
• Rule 3. If an adjective ends with a “y”, remove
the “y” and add –iest.
i.e. happy –y + iest = the happiest
i.e. funny –y + iest = the funniest

20. The airplane is the most expensive.
• Rule 4. If an adjective has more then two syllables,
then add the word “most” before the adjective.
Note: If the adjective ends with a “y”, you will only
add the word “most” if it has three syllables or more.
i.e. beautiful + most = the most beautiful
i.e. expensive + most = the most expensive
i.e. satisfactory + most = the most satisfactory

21. • Rule 5. If an adjective ends with E, just add the st
large = the largest
strange = the strangest
Colored Frogs are the strangest

22. • Rule .6 There are a few exceptions.
good = the best
bad = the worst
little = the least
much = the most
far = the furthest / the farthest
Today is the worst day ever

23. Rule 7. if the adjective ends with ing
add more.
Example boring
Phylosophie is the most boring subject

24. Remember, when using a superlative you must
always precede it with the word “the”.
The Smart for two is the smallest.
The Durangi is the biggest.
Brad Pitt is the most handsome actor.
The airplane is the most expensive.
Jim Carrey is the funniest.