Unit 11
Grammar
Comparatives and superlatives / so, such, enough, to
Comparative and superlative adjectives
adjective
comparative
superlative
regular adjectives with one syllable
black
+ -er
blacker
+ -est
blackest
regular adjectives with one syllable
(ending in vowel + consonant)
thin
double final letter + -
er
thinner
double final letter + -
est
thinnest
regular
adjectives
with
two
syllables
(ending in -y)
funny
replace -y with -ier
funnier
replace -y with -iest
funniest
regular adjectives with two or more
syllables
intelligent
more/less + adj
more intelligent
most/least + adj
most intelligent
irregular adjectives / quantifiers
good
bad
far
little
much
many
better
worse
farther/further
less
more
more
best
worst
farthest/furthest
least
most
most
Use
Example
Comparative
To compare things or people that are different
The crime rate in this area is higher than in
other parts of the country.
Superlative
To compare one member of a group of people
or things with the whole group
The robbery was the biggest in the bank’s
history.
Regular adjectives with two syllables can often also form the comparative and
superlative like adjectives with one syllable.
e.g. clever, cleverer, cleverest
Adjectives with one syllable that end in -e add -r and -st.
e.g. white, whiter, whitest
Remember that comparative forms are often followed by than.
e.g. Crime is a much bigger problem in this country than in many other
countries.
Remember that superlative forms are often preceded by the.
e.g. Our local police force is the best in the country.
Comparative and superlative adverbs
adverb
comparative
superlative
regular adverbs
easily
more/less + adv
more easily
most/least + adv
most easily
irregular adverbs
badly
early
far
worse
earlier
farther/further
worst
earliest
farthest/furthest
Watch
out!