There are two ways of comparing adjectives.
1. by adding -(e)r to the positive to form the comparative, and -(e)st to the positive to form the superlative
2. by placing the adverb more before the positive to form the comparative and most to form the superlative
Comparison of Adjectives
Comparison with -(e)r and -(e)st
As a rule monosyllabic and disyllabic adjectives form their comparatives and superlatives by adding -er and -set.
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| fast | faster | the fastest |
| strong | stroger | the strongest |
| short | shorter | the shortest |
Adjectives ending in -e, -r and -st.
| Positive | Comparative (-r) | Superlative (-st) |
|---|---|---|
| simple | simpler | the simplest |
| brave | braver | the bravest |
| nice | nicer | the nicest |
| polite | politer | the politest |
| large | larger | the largest |
The adjectives ending in a single consonant preceded by a short vowel, a double the last consonant before -er and -est.
| Positive | Comparative (-er) | Superlative (-est) |
|---|---|---|
| big | bigger | the biggest |
| thin | thinner | the thinnest |
| fit | fitter | the fittest |
| fat | fatter | the fattest |
| sad | sadder | the saddest |
Adjectives ending in -y preceded by a vowel do not change -y before -er and -est, also adjectives ending in -y preceded by a consonant, change -y indo -ie before -r and -st.
| Positive | Comparative (-er) | Superlative (-est) |
|---|---|---|
| happy | happier | the happiest |
| merry | merrier | the merriest |
| busy | busier | the busiest |
| lazy | lazier | the laziest |
| grey | greyer | the greyest |
| gay | gayer | the gayest |
After comparative may be followed by than.
Examples
My car is nicer than yours.
You are taller than David.
She is younger than me.
Some monosyllabic adjectives form their comparatives and superlatives by means of more and most.
Examples
| wrong | more wrong | the most wrong |
| just | more just | the more just |
| real | more real | the most real |
The superlative is always preceded by the definite article
Examples
The largest part.
The happiest day of my life.
My opinion is the most important.
