There are three forms of comparison:
- positive
- comparative
- superlative
A – Comparison with -er/-est
clean – cleaner – (the) cleanest
We use -er/-est with the following adjectives:
1) adjectives with one syllable
| clean | cleaner | cleanest |
| new | newer | newest |
| cheap | cheaper | cheapest |
2) adjectives with two syllables and the following endings:
2 – 1) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -y
| dirty | dirtier | dirtiest |
| easy | easier | easiest |
| happy | happier | happiest |
| pretty | prettier | prettiest |
2 – 2) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -er
| clever | cleverer | cleverest |
2 – 3) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -le
| simple | simpler | simplest |
2 – 4) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -ow
| narrow | narrower | narrowest |
Spelling of the adjectives using the endings -er/-est
| large | larger | largest | leave out the silent -e |
| big | bigger | biggest | Double the consonant after short vowel |
| sad | sadder | saddest | |
| dirty | dirtier | dirtiest | Change -y to -i (consonant before -y) |
| shy | shyer | shyest | Here -y is not changed to -i. (although consonant before -y) |
B – Comparison with more – most
difficult – more difficult – (the) most difficult
all adjectives with more than one syllable (except some adjectives with two syllables – see
2 – 1 to 2 – 4)
C – Irregular adjectives
| good | better | best | |
| bad | worse | worst | |
| much | more | most | uncountable nouns |
| many | more | most | countable nouns |
| little | less | least | |
| little | smaller | smallest |
D – Special adjectives
Some ajdectives have two possible forms of comparison.
| common | commoner / more common | commonest / most common |
| likely | likelier / more likely | likeliest / most likely |
| pleasant | pleasanter / more pleasant | pleasantest / most pleasant |
| polite | politer / more polite | politest / most polite |
| simple | simpler / more simple | simplest / most simple |
| stupid | stupider / more stupid | stupidest / most stupid |
| subtle | subtler / more subtle | subtlest |
| sure | surer / more sure | surest / most sure |
Difference in meaning with adjectives:
| far | farther | farthest | distance |
| further | furthest | distance or time |
|
| late | later | latest | |
| latter | x | ||
| x | last | ||
| old | older | oldest | people and things |
| elder | eldest | people (family) | |
| near | nearer | nearest | distance |
| x | next | order |
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