Science 7 - LAND and SEA BREEZE and its Characteristics
Comparatives and Superlatives
1. COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES
COMPARATIVES:
When we are comparing 2 or more things we use the comparative form. The
rules are:
- one syllable adjectives:add -er to the adjective + than
My sister is taller than me.
It's colder today than it was yesterday.
Note: If the word ends: consonant-vowel-consonant, then the last consonantis
usually doubled in the comparative.
Examples: big-bigger, fat-fatter, hot-hotter.
An exception is with a word like ‘fun’ which sounds awkward when wesay
‘funner’ and here we use ‘more’ like below. He is more fun than me.
- two or more-syllableadjectives: usemore with the unchanged adjective
Is there anything moreboring than reading aboutgrammar?
My brother ismore careful with his writing than I am with mine.
Russian grammar is more difficult than English grammar.
My sister is much more intelligent than me.
Note: The comparativeof some shorter 2-syllableadjectives can be formed
with -er. Examples: simple-simpler, clever-cleverer, narrow-narrower.
- two-syllable adjectivesending in -y: change the -y to -ier
This grammar topic is easier than the last one.
Why is everyone else luckier than me?
As…as
We can also useas…as to compare. When weuse it in the positiveit means
the 2 things are the same (often we use ‘much/many’ with the adjective):
My car is as fast as your car.
That building is as big as the other.
He can do as many press-upsas my brother.
She can drink as much as him!
2. We can also useit to talk aboutsomething being ‘twice’, ‘three times’ the size,
speed, etc. of something else:
My new house is twice as big as my previous one.
However, weusually use it in the negative:
The cafeteria is not as crowded asusual.
He's not as stupid as he looks!
This doesn’t look as good as the last one.
When comparing with as .. as, the adjective does not change.
SUPERLATIVES:
In the superlative you talk aboutone thing only and how it is the best, worst,
etc. You do not compare two things. The following guidelines apply to the
superlative:
- one syllable adjectives:add -est to the adjective (plus the)
My sister is the tallest in our family.
Yesterday wasthe coldest day of the year so far.
Note: If the word ends: consonant-vowel-consonant, then the last consonantis
usually doubled in the superlative. Examples: big-biggest, fat-fattest, hot-
hottest.
- two or more-syllableadjectives: usethe most with the unchanged
adjective
The most boring thing aboutEnglish class is doing grammar exercises.
My sister is the most careful person I know.
Some people think thatRussian is the most difficult language.
AlbertEinstein was the most intelligent person in history.
Note: The superlative of some shorter 2-syllableadjectives can be formed
with -est. Examples: simple-the simplest, clever-the cleverest, narrow-the
narrowest.
- two syllable adjectives ending in -y: changethe -y to -iest (plus the)
The richest people are not always thehappiest.
Which do you think is theeasiest language to learn?
She's theluckiest person I know.
3. The following are common irregular comparative/superlativeforms:
Adjective Comparative Superlative
Good Better The best
Bad Worse The worst
Little Less The least
Much More The most
Far Further (farther) The furthest(the farthest)