Making ComparisonsMaking Comparisons

Comparatives and Superlatives

Comparative adjectives are forms like older, more intelligent

Superlative adjectives are forms

like oldest, most intelligent

To make the comparativeand superlative of:

One-syllable adjectives ending in –eyou add –r and -st

Other one-syllable adjectives add –er and –est

Two-syllable adjectives ending in –Ychange y to i and add- er, -est

Other two-syllable adjectivesadd –r, -st

Longer adjectivesput more and most in front

Irregular comparison

Some adjectives form irregular comparatives and superlatives:

Good /well --- better --- best

Bad --- worse --- worst

Far --- farther/further --- farthest / furthest

--- both used to talk about distance:She lives further/farther from school than I do.

further and furthest are also used to mean “additional” in some expressions, such as:further education, further information, further discussion

Comparative or superlative?

Comparative or superlative?

We use a comparative tocompare one person, thing,action or group to anotherperson, thing, etc.

Jane is taller then her two sisters,

Your shoes are in a worse statethan mine.

We use a superlative to compareone person, thing, etc, to thewhole group he/she/it belongs to

I don’t know which one to choose:The chicken is the healthiestbut the hot dog is the tastiest ofall the foods in this fast-foodmenu.

Comparative or superlative?

Comparative or superlative?

We use a comparative tocompare one person, thing,action or group to anotherperson, thing, etc.

Jane is taller then her two sisters,

Your shoes are in a worse statethan mine.

We use a superlative to compareone person, thing, etc, to thewhole group he/she/it belongs to

I don’t know which one to choose:The chicken is the healthiestbut the hot dog is the tastiest ofall the foods in this fast-foodmenu.