This document discusses comparatives and superlatives in English and Spanish. It provides rules for forming comparatives and superlatives for different types of adjectives in both languages. Comparatives are used to compare two people or things, using forms like "more/less adjective than". Superlatives compare one person or thing to a group, using forms like "the most/least adjective". Examples are given for irregular comparatives and superlatives.

1. Comparatives
&
Superlatives

2. Comparatives of equality
• As + adjective + as
• Not so / as + adjective + as
‘He is as tall as me’
‘He isn’t so / as tall as me’
• In Spanish we use ‘tan’+
adjective + ‘como’

3. Comparatives of superiority
Short adjectives (1 syllable)
We add –er or –r.
Two – syllable adjectives ending in –y
We take –y out and we add –ier.
Longer adjectives (2or more syllables)
We use more before the adjective.
Irregular forms
Some adjectives take completely
irregular forms.

4. • We use these comparatives of
superiority to compare two
things or two people.
• We can use than after the
comparative forms.
‘John is shorter than Mary’
‘He is more intelligent than her’
• In Spanish we use ‘más’ +
adjective + ‘que’

5. Superlatives
Short adjectives (1 syllable)
We add –est or –st.
Two – syllable adjectives ending in –y
We take –y out and we add –iest.
Longer adjectives (2or more syllables)
We use the most before the adjective.
Irregular forms
Some adjectives take completely
irregular forms.

6. • We use superlatives to
compare a person / thing with
a group.
• We always use the before the
superlative adjectives.
‘He is the shortest in the group’
‘He is the most interesting of
the students’
• In Spanish we use ‘el más’ +
adjective

7. Rich Richer than The richest
Nice Nicer than The nicest
Easy Easier than The easiest
Happy Happier than The happiest
Stressful More… than The most …
Dangerous More… than The most …
Good Better than The best
Bad Worse than The worst
Far Farther / further
than
The farthest /
furthest
Old Older / Elder
(for people)
The oldest /
The eldest (for
people)

8. Comparatives of inferiority
• Less + adjective + than
‘He is less tall / intelligent than her’
• In Spanish we use ‘menos’ +
adjective + ‘que’
Superlatives of inferiority
• The least + adjective (in / of)
‘He is the least tall / intelligent
in the group / of the students’
• In Spanish we use
‘el menos’ + adjective (‘de’)