The document provides rules for forming comparatives and superlatives in English. It explains that comparatives are used to compare two objects or people, while superlatives are used to compare more than two. The main rules covered are: adding -er or more for comparatives and -est or most for superlatives depending on the adjective. Exceptions and irregular forms are also noted. Examples are given to illustrate the rules.

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
– Short +er = Shorter The ant is smaller
than the hippo.
The ant works harder
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 bigger
than the giraffe.
The giraffe is taller
than the elephant.

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
•The UTP is better than La Nariño
•Brazil team was worse than Colombia
•The Galpon is farther than the cafeteria.

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 the______.
The oldest car is ________.
The black car is the most
_________of all four cars.

10. Which one of the basketball player is the shortest?
which one of them is the tallest ?
Number _ is the shortest player of all.
Number _ is the tallest player of all

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 three
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
• Colombia is the best country in the world
• Marcelo is the worst player of Brazil
• La Patagonia is the farthest part of Argentina.

16. • Remember, when using a superlative you must always
precede it with the word “the”.
The Toyota has the smallest cars.
The Ford has the biggest trucks.
Brad Pitt was the most handsome actor of the
movie.
Airplanes tickets are the most expensive means of
transport.
Jim Carrey is the funniest comedian.

17. SOME RULES ABOUT FORMING
COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES
• One syllable adjectives generally form the
comparative by adding -er and the superlative by
adding -est, e.g.:
Adjective Comparative Superlative
Soft Softer The softest
Cheap Cheaper The cheapest
Sweet Sweeter The sweetest
Thin Thinner The thinnest

18. TWO SYLLABLE ADJECTIVES
• two syllable adjectives which end
in -y usually form the comparative
by adding -er and the superlative
by adding -est
Adjective Comparative superlative
Lucky luckier The luckiest
Pretty Prettier The prettiest
Tidy Tidier The tidiest

19. TWO SYLLABLE ADJECTIVES
• two syllable adjectives ending in -ed,
-ing, -ful,always form the comparative
with more and the superlative with the
most, e.g.:
Adjective Comparative superlative
Worried More worried The most worried
Boring More boring The most boring
Careful More careful The most careful

20. THREE SYLLABLE ADJECTIVES
• Adjectives which have three or more syllables always form the comparative
and superlative with MORE and THE MOST, e.g.:
Adjective Comparative Superlative
Dangerous More dangerous The most dangerous
Difficult More difficult The most difficult

21. IRREGULAR ADJECTIVES
Adjective Comparative Superlative
Good Better The best
Bad Worse The worst
Far Farther/further The
farthest/furthest

22. Opposite
less < more
This sofa is less comfortable.
I’ve always been less patient than my
sister.
the least < the most.
It’s the least expensive way to travel.
She was the least intelligent of the three
sisters.

23. • 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 ……… (bad) than last
summer.
• He was ………. (clever) thief of all.