MAKING COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES
There are
certain rules that must be followed in the making of the comparatives
and superlatives of the adjectives.
Single Syllable Words and Double Syllable Words ending with -y,
-er, -ow, -le -
We use ‘-er’ to make the comparative and ‘-est’ to make the superlative.
Positive
|
Comparative
|
Superlative
|
Black
|
Blacker
|
Blackest
|
Fair
|
Fairer
|
Fairest
|
Clever
|
Cleverer
|
Cleverest
|
When there is a
silent ‘e’ at the end of the
positive form, we remove that and add ‘-er’ and ‘-est’
Positive
|
Comparative
|
Superlative
|
Nice
|
Nicer
|
Nicest
|
Late
|
Later
|
Latest
|
When the
adjective ends with a ‘y’, we convert the ‘y’ into ‘i’ before adding ‘-er’ and
‘-est’
Positive
|
Comparative
|
Superlative
|
Pretty
|
Prettier
|
Prettiest
|
Lazy
|
Lazier
|
Laziest
|
If the
adjective is a small one with little stress on the vowel, we double the last
consonant.
Positive
|
Comparative
|
Superlative
|
Hot
|
Hotter
|
Hottest
|
Wet
|
Wetter
|
Wettest
|
Other Words with Two or More Syllables -
For other double syllable words
that do not end with -y, -er, -ow, -le, and for adjectives with more than two
syllables we use more and most to form the comparatives and
superlatives.
Positive
|
Comparative
|
Superlative
|
Difficult
|
More Difficult
|
Most Difficult
|
Careful
|
More Careful
|
Most Careful
|
Handsome
|
More Handsome
|
Most Handsome
|
Interesting
|
More Interesting
|
Most Interesting
|
SPECIAL ADJECTIVES -
There a few adjectives that can
use both ‘-er and -est’ and ‘more’ and ‘most’ to form their comparative and
superlative forms. The distinction between these is that ‘-er and -est’ are
used
When we are comparing the noun to
another noun and ‘more’ and ‘most’ is used when we are comparing
characteristics within the noun.
Positive
|
Comparative
|
Superlative
|
Example
|
Clever
|
Cleverer/ More Clever
|
Cleverest/Most Clever
|
He is cleverer than her.
He is more clever than studious.
|
Quiet
|
Quieter/ More Quiet
|
Quietest/ Most Quiet
|
This is the most quiet it gets here.
This is the quietest place.
|
Brave
|
Braver/ More Brave
|
Bravest/ Most Brave
|
She is braver than other girls.
She was more brave than afraid.
|
Sure
|
Surer/ More Sure
|
Surest/ Most Sure
|
He was surer of the result than others.
You’ll be more sure about the concept after
you read the chapter.
|
IRREGULAR COMPARISONS -
These adjectives do not make
their comparative and superlative forms using the rules above. Their
comparative and superlative forms are different words altogether.
Positive
|
Comparative
|
Superlative
|
Bad
|
Worse
|
Worst
|
Good
|
Better
|
Best
|
Far (place & time)
|
Further
|
Furthest
|
Far (place)
|
Farther
|
Farthest
|
Old (people)
|
Elder
|
Eldest
|
Little (amount)
|
Less
|
Least
|
Late (order)
|
Latter
|
Last
|