THE COMPARATIVE vs.

THE SUPERLATIVE COMPARATIVES

Comparatives are used to compare two things and to highlight the superiority, inferiority, or equality of one term compared to another. a) Short adjectives: adj + -ER THAN Peter is taller than Sandra. SUPERIORITY b) Long adjectives: MORE + adj + THAN A Ferrari is more expensive than a Mini. Short & long adjectives: AS... adjective... AS English is as easy as German. Short & long adjectives: LESS + adjectif + THAN July is less cold than January.

SUPERLATIVES
For comparisons in larger groups, you must use the superlative. Thesuperlative designates extremes: the best, the first, the worst, the last, etc.

MAIN USE

Short & long adjectives: THE MOST + adjective This is the most pleasant place on Earth!

EQUALITY

Doesn't exist

INFERIORITY

Short & long adjectives: THE LEAST + adjective This is the least interesting movie of the year!

NOTES: Short adjectives: 1 syllable (eg: young) + 2-syllable adjectives ending in -y (eg: pretty) Long adjectives: all the other adjectives COMPARATIVES: > If the adjective ends in "--y" the "y" becomes "i" : heavy --> heavier > If the adjective ends in "--e" only an "r" is needed: wise --> wiser > If the adjective ends with "single vowel + consonant" the consonant is doubled and one adds "--er" : big --> bigger > Some very common adjectives have irregular comparatives: good --> better | bad --> worse | far --> farther SUPERLATIVES:

Irregular forms:

good --> the best

bad --> the worst

far --> the farthest

> TEST
COMPARATIVES (+ superiority, = equality, - inferiority). a) Sandra is ___________ (+ pretty) Sophia. b) This song is ___________ (+ good) the previous one. c) My boat is ___________ (= expensive) your boat. d) This book is ___________ (= bad) that one. e) Jurassic Park is ___________ (- frightening) Star Wars. f) The Lost World is ___________ (- good) Jurassic Park I.

SUPERLATIVES (+ superiority, = equality, - inferiority). a) Peter is ___________ (+ intelligent) student in the school! b) This place is ___________ (- interesting) of the town.

> ANSWERS
COMPARATIVES a) Sandra is prettier than Sophia. b) This song is better than the previous one. c) My boat is as expensive as your boat. d) This book is as bad as that one. e) Jurassic Park is less frightening than Star Wars. f) The Lost World is less good than Jurassic Park I.

SUPERLATIVES a) Peter is the most intelligent student in the school!

b) This museum is the least interesting place of the town.