Comparatives and superlatives are used to compare two or more objects. For comparatives, the suffixes -er or -ier are added to one-syllable or two-syllable adjectives respectively to indicate something is more of an adjective quality. For superlatives, the suffixes -est or -iest are used with one-syllable or two-syllable adjectives respectively to indicate something has the most of an adjective quality. There are exceptions for adjectives ending in y, consonant-vowel-consonant combinations, and words like good/bad. When comparing, always use "than" and when using superlatives, always precede with "the".

1. Comparatives
Comparatives are used to show the difference between
two objects.
Which
one of
them is
new and
fast ?
OLD and SLOW NEW and FAST
The black car is newer and faster than the red car.
The red car is older and slower than the black car.

2. • Rule 1. If an adjective has 1
syllable we add the ending
–er to the adjective.
– i.e. small + er = smaller
than
– i.e. hard + er = harder
than
The ant is smaller
than the hippo.
Five basic rules for comparative :

3. • 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.
i.e. big + er = bigger than
i.e. fat + er = fatter than
The elephant is fatter
than the giraffe.

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

5. • Rule 4. If an adjective has
two syllables then add the
word “more” before the
word.
• i.e. beautiful + more =
more beautiful than
i.e. expensive + more =
more expensive than
i.e. satisfactory + more =
more satisfactory than
The butterfly is
more beautiful than
the frog.

6. •Rule 5. There are a few exceptions.
good = better than
bad = worse than
far = farther than

7. •Remember, when using a comparative you must always
follow it with the word “than”.
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.

8. Superlatives
If we are compare more than two objects, places,
people we use superlative forms.

9. Four cars and their delivery dates.
1985 2013 1995
1945
The newest car is black car.
The oldest car is green car.
The black car is the newest
of all four cars.

10. Which one of the basketball player is the shortest and
and which one of them is the tallest ?
Number 1 is the shortest player between three of them.
Number 3 is the tallest player between three of them.

11. Kızılırmak is the longest
river in Turkey.
• Rule 1. If an adjective has 1
syllable we add the ending –
est to the adjective.
i.e. small + est = the smallest
• i.e. hard + est = the hardest
Basic rules for superlatives

12. The Atatürk Airport is one
of the biggest airport in
Turkey.
• 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

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

14. The diamond is the most
precious stone in the
world.
• Rule 4. If an adjective has
two syllables or more then
add the word “most” before
the word.
• i.e. beautiful + most = the
most beautiful
• i.e. expensive + most = the
most expensive
• i.e. satisfactory + most = the
most satisfactory

15. • Rule 5. There are a few exceptions.
good = the best
bad = the worst
far = the farthest

16. • Remember, when using a superlative you must always precede it with the
word “the”.
The Toyota is the smallest.
The Ford is the biggest.
Brad Pitt is the most handsome.
The airplane is the most expensive.
Jim Carrey is the funniest.

17. • Fill in the correct form of the words in brackets
(comparative or superlative).
• My house is……. (big) than yours.
• This flower is ……. (beautiful) than that one.
• This is the ……….. (interesting) book I have ever read.
• Non-smokers usually live ……… (long) than smokers.
• Which is the ………. (dangerous) animal in the world?
• A holiday by the sea is ……… (good) than a holiday in
the mountains.
• Who is the ……....... (rich) woman on earth?
• The weather this summer is even ……… (bad) than last
summer.
• He was the ………. (clever) thief of all.