superlative and comparative

1. Comparative, and
Superlative
By Henry Caro =)

2. Adjectives and adverbs are
words the modify other
words. The comparative
form of an adjective or
adverb compares two
things. The superlative form
of an adjective or adverb
compares three of more
things.

3. Rules at a Glance
Adjective form Comparative Superlative
Only one syllable, with more
than one vowel or more than
one consonant at the end.
Examples:
light, neat, fast, tall, neat, deep
Add -er:
lighter, neater, faster, taller,
neater, deeper
Add -est:
lightest, neatest, fastest,
tallest. neatest, deepest
Only one syllable, ending in E.
Examples:
wide, fine, cute
Add -r:
wider, finer, cuter
Add -st:
widest, finest, cutest
Only one syllable, with one
vowel and one consonant at
the end. Examples:
hot, big, fat, sad
Double the consonant, and add
-er:
hotter, bigger, fatter, sadder
Double the consonant, and add
-est:
hottest, biggest, fattest,
saddest
Two syllables, ending in Y.
Examples:
happy, silly, lonely, jolly
Change y to i, then add -er:
happier, sillier, lonelier, jollier
Change y to i, then add -est:
happiest, silliest, loneliest,
jolliest
two syllable word ending a
vowel-sound that is not
stressed
yellow, simple
Add -er:
yellower, simpler
Add -est:
yellower, simpler
Two syllables or more, not
ending in Y. Examples:
modern, interesting, beautiful,
Use more before the adjective:
more modern, more
interesting, more beautiful
Use most before the adjective:
most modern, most interesting,
most beautiful

4. This sentence shows the use of
large in the positive degree.
This hippopotamus is
large.(larger than)

5. But what happens when you want
to compare the large
hippopotamus to something else?

6. When you compare the large
hippopotamus to another thing,
you have to use the comparative
degree. This means that the
word has to change.

7. There are 2 ways that you can
change “large” to the comparative
degree:
•Add “er” to the end of the word
•Add “more” to the front of the word
large + er = larger

8. The hippopotamus is
larger than the pig.

9. Some adjectives, especially
those with 3 syllables or
more, use “more” instead of
“er.” Here’s an example:

10. The hippopotamus is more
intelligent than the chicken.
1 + 1 = 2 2
4
= 16

11. But what should we do if we want
to compare our large
hippopotamus with more than just
one other thing? What should we
do if we want to compare our large
hippopotamus to….let’s say….3
other things?

12. We would then use the adjective in
the superlative degree, and that
means that our word would have
to change again.

13. There are 2 ways that you can
change “large” to the superlative
degree:
•Add “est” to the end of the word
•Add “most” to the front of the word
large + est = largest

14. The hippopotamus is the
largest one in the bunch.

15. Here’s an example where you
would use “most” in front of an
adjective.

16. The hippopotamus is the most
courteous animal of the group.
Move
it or
lose it!
You’re
outta
here! Hit the
highway,
big guy!
May I please
be excused?

17. So, we have learned that we can
use an adjective to show
relationships in the comparative
and superlative degrees:

18. •larger (comparing 2 things)
•largest (comparing more than 2 things)
•more intelligent (comparing 2 things)
•most intelligent (comparing more than 2 things)
• more courteous (comparing 2 things)
• most courteous (comparing more than 2 things)

19. Like many things in the English
language, there are some
exceptions:

20. Some words change differently in
the comparative and superlative
degrees.

21. For example,
let’s consider the word “good”:
POSITIVE: good
COMPARATIVE: better
SUPERLATIVE: best

22. This grade is good.
This grade is better than that grade.
The is the best grade of all.
B+
A- B+
A

23. Here’s another example of unusual
changes from positive, comparative,
and superlative degrees:
POSITIVE: bad
COMPARATIVE: worse
SUPERLATIVE: worst

24. Keep an eye out for them!