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Comparatives and Superlatives are special forms of adjectives. They are used to compare two or more things. Generally, comparatives are formed using -er and superlatives are formed using -est. This page will explain the rules for forming regular comparatives and superlatives, and also show some basic ways of using them
Adjective Form Only one syllable, ending in E. Examples: wide, fine, cute
Superlative Add -st: widest, finest, cutest Double the consonant, and add -est: hottest, biggest, fattest
Only one syllable, with one Double the consonant, vowel and one consonant and add -er: hotter, at the end. Examples: hot, bigger, fatter big, fat
Only one syllable, with more than one vowel or more than one consonant at the end. Examples: light, neat, fast Two syllables, ending in Y. Examples: happy, silly, lonely
Two syllables or more, not ending in Y. Examples: modern, interesting, beautiful
Superlatives
Superlatives are used to compare more than two things. Superlative sentences usually use the, because there is only one superlative.
Masami is the tallest in the class. Yukio is tall, and Jiro is taller, but Masami is the tallest.
As...as
As + adjective + as to show similarity
The son is as tall as his father
The new house is a lot / much / far bigger than the old one. This is the best book Ive read by far. Its just as pretty as I remember it.
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the comparative or superlative. 1. Joe is ________ than Ed. (short) 2. Al is the _______. (short) 3. Ed is the _______. (thin) 4. Joe is ______ than Al. (thin) 5. Al has the _________ clothes. (colourful) 6. Al is _______ than Joe. (heavy) 7. Ed is the _________. (light) 8. Joe is ________ than Ed. (happy) 9. Ed is the __________. (mysterious) 10. Joe is ________ than Ed. (energetic)
Practice
Use either as as or not as as in the sentences below. 1) The blue car is __________ the red car. (fast) 2) Peter is __________ Fred. (not/tall) 3) The violin is _________ the cello. (not/low) 4) This copy is _________ the other one. (bad) 5) Oliver is __________ Peter. (optimistic) 6) Today it's ____________ yesterday. (not/windy) 7) The tomato soup was ___________ the mushroom soup. (delicious) 8) Grapefruit juice is ____________ lemonade. (not/sweet) 9) Nick is ___________ Kevin. (brave) 10) Silver is ____________ gold. (not/heavy)
More practice
Discussion questions
1. How do you imagine life was like in the 1920's? Does the movie segment surprise you? 2. Would you like to have lived during those years? Why (not)? 3. Alcohol was prohibited, so the prices were very expensive. Do you think alcohol should be prohibited again, the way it used to be in the 20's? Why (not)? 4. What about some drugs, like marijuana? Should they remain banned? Or do you think the legalization will be best?
Comparative + and + comparative: (repeated comparatives) to emphasize something in process or in a state of change. Increase or decrease
Since shes stopped the chemo, her body has been getting stronger and stronger. (increase) When she was in chemo, her body got weaker and weaker (decrease)
Other forms
The + comparative ... + the + comparative: (double comparatives) when something is dependent on another thing. Cause and effect. Superlative + present perfect: to compare a person or event to our experience up until now (often with ever)
This is one of the hottest countries Ive ever lived in.
The more education women get, the later they marry
1) He gets ______ (boring). I cant listen to him any longer. 2) I didnt like this book at first, but its getting ____ (interesting). 3) My daughters English results are getting _____ (bad). 4) The boss will be angry with you. You arrive ____ (late) at work. 5) In spring the weather gets _____ (warm). 6) Its time you tidied your room. Its getting _____ (messy). 7) Food is getting ______ (expensive). 8) I think TV programs are getting ______ (violent). 9) I find it ______ (difficult) to see him. 10) Shes getting over her operation. She feels ______ (good).