|
2. Comparatives and Superlatives |
Comparatives can be either adjectives or adverbs. They are used to compare two persons, things or places. Comparatives are created by adding –er to either an adjective or adverb. Superlatives are used to compare more than two people, things or places, and mostly created by adding –est to adjectives or some adverbs. However, if the word ends in –y, make the comparative by changing the y to i and then add –er or -est
| Word |
Comparative |
Superlative |
| clever |
cleverer |
cleverest |
| fat |
fatter |
fattest |
| tall |
taller |
tallest |
| happy |
happier |
happiest |
| hairy |
hairier |
hairiest |
| pretty |
prettier |
prettiest |
| Word |
Comparative |
Superlative |
| bad, badly |
worse |
worst |
| beautiful |
more beautiful |
most beautiful |
| far (additional) |
further |
furthest |
| far (distance) |
farther |
farthest |
| good/well |
better |
best |
| intelligent |
more intelligent |
most intelligent |
| kindly |
kindlier |
kindliest |
| little |
less |
least |
| more |
more |
most |
| old (age) |
older |
oldest |
| old (position in family) |
elder |
eldest |
| Word |
Comparative |
Superlative |
| sweet (adjective) |
sweeter |
sweetest |
| sweet (adverb) |
more sweetly |
most sweetly |
The common mistake made is adding more to comparative or most to superlative.
| EXAMPLE: |
weaker – more weaker – most weakest (INCORRECT) |
| |
weaker – weaker – weakest (CORRECT) |
|
