The document discusses comparatives and superlatives in English. It explains that comparatives compare two items using suffixes like -er, while superlatives compare three or more items using suffixes like -est. It provides rules for forming comparatives and superlatives depending on the number of syllables in the adjective and whether it ends in a consonant or vowel sound. Exceptions for irregular adjectives are also noted. Examples are given throughout to illustrate the different forms.

1. COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES

2. Comparatives and Superlatives are special forms of adjectives. They are used to compare two or more things. Generally, comparatives are formed using -er and superlatives are formed using -est .

3. FORMING COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES How these forms are created depends on how many syllables there are in the adjective. Syllables are like “sound beats”. For instance, “sing” contains one syllable, but “singing” contains two — sing and ing .

4. The rules Use “ most” before the adjective: most modern, most interesting, most beautiful Use “ more ” before the adjective: more modern, more interesting, more beautiful Two syllables or more, not ending in Y . Examples: modern, interesting, beautiful. Change y to i , then add -est : happiest, silliest, loneliest Change y to i , then add -er : happier, sillier, lonelier Two syllables, ending in Y . Examples: happy, silly, lonely Add -est : lightest, neatest, fastest Add -er : lighter, neater, faster Only one syllable, with more than one vowel or more than one consonant at the end. Examples: light, neat, fast Double the consonant, and add -est : hottest, biggest, fattest Double the consonant, and add -er : hotter, bigger, fatter Only one syllable, with one vowel and one consonant at the end. Examples: hot, big, fat Add -st : widest, finest, cutest Add -r : wider, finer, cuter Only one syllable, ending in E . Examples: wide, fine, cute Superlative Comparative Adjective form

5. EXCEPTIONS IRREGULAR ADJECTIVES most more many least less little furthest further far worst worse bad best better good Superlative Form Comparative Form Irregular Adjective

6. Two-syllable adjectives that follow two rules. These adjectives can be used with -er and -est and with more and most. Big dogs are gentler than small dogs. Of all the dogs in the world, English Mastiffs are the gentlest . Big dogs are more gentle than small dogs. Of all the dogs in the world, English Mastiffs are the most gentle . most simple more simple simple simplest simpler simple most quiet more quiet quiet quietest quieter quiet most friendly more friendly friendly friendliest friendlier friendly most gentle more gentle gentle gentlest gentler gentle most clever more clever clever cleverest cleverer clever Superlative Form Comparative Form Two-Syllable Adjective

7. USE Superlatives are used to compare more than two things. Superlative sentences usually use “ the ”, because there is only one superlative. Masami is the tallest in the class. Yukio is tall, and Jiro is taller, but Masami is the tallest. SUPERLATIVES Comparatives are used to compare two things. You can use sentences with “ than ”, or you can use a conjunction like “ but ”. Jiro is taller than Yukio. Yukio is tall, but Jiro is taller. COMPARATIVES

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