Adjectives - Comparatives - Superlatives (general List)

1 Adjective – Comparative – Superlative Form the comparative and superlative forms of a one-syllable adjective by adding –er for the comparative form and –est for the superlative. tall cold long

Comparative taller colder longer

Superlative tallest coldest longest

If the one-syllable adjective ends with an e, just add –r for the comparative form and –st for the superlative form. large wise

Comparative larger wiser

Superlative largest wisest

If the one-syllable adjective end with a single consonant with a vowel before it, double the consonant and add –er for the comparative form; and double the consonant and add –est for the superlative form. big thin fat

Comparative bigger thinner fatter

Superlative biggest thinnest fattest

Two-syllable adjectives. With most two-syllable adjectives, you form the comparative with more and the superlative with most. peaceful pleasant careful thoughtful

Comparative more peaceful more pleasant more careful more thoughtful

Superlative most peaceful most pleasant most careful most thoughtful

If the two-syllable adjectives ends with –y, change the y to i and add –er for the comparative form. For the superlative form change the y to i and add –est.

happy angry busy

Comparative happier angrier busier

Superlative happiest angriest busiest

Two-syllable adjectives ending in –er, -le, or –ow take –er and –est to form the comparative and superlative forms. narrow gentle

Comparative narrower gentler

Superlative narrowest gentlest

2 Adjectives with three or more syllables. For adjectives with three syllables or more, you form the comparative with more and the superlative with most. generous important intelligent

Comparative more generous more important more intelligent

Superlative most generous most important most intelligent

Comparative better worse farther less more

Superlative best worst farthest least most

Exceptions. Irregular adjectives. good bad far little many

Two-syllable adjectives that follow two rules. These adjectives can be used with -er and -est and with more and most. clever clever gentle gentle friendly friendly quiet quiet simple simple

Comparative cleverer more clever gentler more gentle friendlier more friendly quieter more quiet simpler more simple

Superlative cleverest most clever gentlest most gentle friendliest most friendly quietest most quiet simplest most simple

3 How to apply: Adjective

Comparative

Superlative

big

bigger than

the biggest

busy

busier than

the busiest

exciting

more exciting than

the most exciting

pretty

prettier than

the prettiest

tall

taller than

the tallest

interesting

more interesting than 

the most interesting

good

better than

the best

happy

happier than

the happiest

sad

sadder than

the saddest

unusual

more unusual than

the most unusual

bad

worse than

the worst

short

shorter than

the shortest

amazing

more amazing than

the most amazing

red

redder than

the reddest

green

greener than

the greenest

sleepy

sleepier than

the sleepiest

wonderful

more wonderful than

the most wonderful

terrible

more terrible than

the most terrible

large

larger than

the largest

hot

hotter than

the hottest

expensive

more expensive than

the most expensive

old

older than

the oldest

fascinating

more fascinating than 

the most fascinating