This document explains the formation of comparative and superlative adjectives in English. Comparatives compare two items using "-er" and superlatives compare three or more items using "-est". For one-syllable adjectives, simply add "-er" or "-est". For two-syllable adjectives ending in "y", change the "y" to "i" and add "-er" or "-est". Adjectives with more than two syllables use "more" or "most". There are some exceptions like "good", "bad", and "far" that form comparatives and superlatives irregularly.

1. Comparatives and
Superlatives
By guerina3

2. Comparative
The comparative form of an adjective compares
two things.
• The dog is big.
• The horse is bigger than the dog.
When we compare two things, we add -er
than.

3. Examples:
• The man is taller than the boy.
• An airplane is faster than a car.
• The snail is slower than the turtle.
tall taller
fast faster
slow slower

4. Superlative
The superlative form of an adjective compares more
than two things.
• Batman is strong.
• Superman is stronger than Batman.
• The Hulk is the strongest of them all.
When we compare three things, we add the +-est to the end
of the word.

5. More Examples:
• The boy is tall, but the man is taller.
• The giraffe is the tallest of them all.
• A car is fast, but an airplane is faster.
• A jet is the fastest of the three.
• The turtle is slow, but the snail is slower.
• The slug who is feeling sluggish, is the
slowest of all.
tall taller tallest
fast faster fastest
slow slower slowest

6. If the word has one syllable, just add –er
or –est to the end.
Examples:
Adverb or
Adjective
Comparative Superlative
tall Taller than The tallest
fast Faster than The fastest
slow Slower than The slowest
strong Stronger than The strongest

7. My cat is grumpy.
My brother’s cat is grumpier.
My friend’s cat is the
grumpiest of all.
For two syllable adjectives that end in y-change
the y to an i and add -er or –est.

8. If the adjective has more than two
syllables, you add MORE or MOST.
Adjective Comparative Superlative
interesting more interesting than The most interesting
beautiful more beautiful than The most beautiful
intelligent more intelligent than The most intelligent

9. Some words are exceptions!
.
Adverb or
Adjective
Comparative Superlative
good Better than The best
bad Worse than The worst
far Further than The furthest