Comparatives & superlatives

comparatives & superlatives

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1.

Comparatives

-er / more

comparatives

They are used to compare differences between the two objects or people they modify. Two nouns are compared. Usually has the suffix -er. *The second item of comparison can be omitted if it is clear from the context.

Noun (subject) + verb + comparative adjective + than + noun (object)

• This box is smaller than the one I lost.
• She runs faster than me.
• He is taller than his wife.
• Jim and Jack are both my friends, but I like Jack better. ("than Jim" is understood) *

how to form regular comparatives

ONE SYLLABLE

TWO SYLLABLES

THREE SYLLABLES OR MORE

"as + adj + as"

We use As + adjective + as when the things we are comparing are equal in some way. -The world’s biggest bull is as big as a small elephant. - A motorcycle can be as fast as a cheetah - A whale's tongue can be as heavy as an elephant.

2.

SUPERLATIVES

-est / most

superlatives

They are used to show the difference betweeen more than two objects or people. It signals if the object or person is in the lower or higher limit of the quality. Usually has the suffix -st.

Noun (subject) + verb + the + superlative adjective

*The group that is being compared with can be omitted if it is clear from context.

• The blue house is the largest one in the neighborhood.
• This is the smallest box I have ever seen.
• Your dog ran the fastest of any dog in the race.
• We all threw are rocks at the same time. My rock flew the highest. ("of all the rocks" is understood)*

how to form regular superlatives

ONE SYLLABLE

TWO SYLLABLES

THREE SYLLABLES OR MORE

Negative

least

Less

Contrary to "the most" the + least + adjective

Contrary to "more"less + adjective + than

EXAMPLE

EXAMPLE

irregular

Thank you!