FORMATION Comparative and Superlative
FORMATION Comparative and Superlative
FORMATION Comparative and Superlative
1
Comparative and Superlative
1
2 3
1 is taller than 2. (+)
2 is less tall than 1. (-)
3 is not as tall as 1. (-)
2 is as tall as 3. (=)
1 is the tallest. (+++)
Comparative
The comparative is used to compare two things and to demonstrate the superiority,
inferiority, or equality of one of them by respect to the other.
You can use the comparative form of adjectives to compare differences between people,
places and things; you can use the comparative form of the adverbs to compare
differences between actions.
There are three kinds of comparatives:
Majority (+)
Equality (=)
Minority (-)
Comparative and Superlative
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Adjective Adverb
Majority
a) You are taller than me.
b) You are more intelligent than
me.
a) I run faster than you.
b) You play more aggressively than
him.
Comparative sentences often use than after the comparative adjective or the comparative
adverb but you can use the comparative without than when:
the thing you are comparing is not expressed but it is clearly understood:
Eg: This new program is better (than the old program).
you use a conjunction like but:
Eg: I am tall, but he is taller.
Adjective Adverb
Equality
a) She is as tall as me.
b) He is as intelligent as me.
a) She runs as fast as me.
b) They play as aggressively as you.
The comparative of equality is formed by:
as + adjective or adverb + as
But for negative comparison you use:
not as + adjective or adverb + as
Im not as interesting as you.
not so + adjective or adverb + as
Im not so interesting as you.
Comparative and Superlative
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Adjective Adverb
Minority
a) I am less tall than you.
I am not as tall as you.
b) I am less intelligent than you.
I am not as intelligent as you.
a) You run less fast than me.
You dont run as fast as me.
b) He plays less aggressively than you.
He doesnt play as aggressively as
you.
Superlative
Superlative is used to compare more than two things. It is the form of an adjective or an
adverb that shows the highest degree of quality of what is described.
A superlative adjective describes a noun and is used to single out people, places and
things from other people, places and things:
Eg: Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
This is the most boring book Ive ever read.
I have a lot of friends, but you are the best!
You are the funniest person in the world!
A superlative adverb describes a verb and is used to single out something about an action:
Eg: He worked the hardest.
We sang the loudest.
She jumped the furthest.
Note that superlative sentences usually use the before the superlative adjective or the
superlative adverb! (the quickest, the fastest, the furthest)
Comparative and Superlative
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How do you form the comparative of majority and the superlative?
Word Comparative Superlative
one syllable
fast
slow
bright
add er
faster
slower
brighter
add est
the fastest
the slowest
the brightest
one syllable, ending in e
nice
large
add r
nicer
larger
add st
the nicest
the largest
one syllable, ending in vowel +
a consonant
big
hot
AND
deep
double the consonant
and add er
bigger
hotter
deeper
double the consonant and
add est
the biggest
the hottest
deepest
two syllables, ending in y
happy
friendly
pretty
change y into i, add er
happier
friendlier
prettier
change y into i, add est
the happiest
the friendliest
the prettiest
two or more syllables
comfortable
interesting
beautiful
use more before adj.
more comfortable
more interesting
more beautiful
use most before adverb
the most comfortable
the most interesting
the most beautiful
Comparative and Superlative
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Study these exceptions:
Positive Comparative Superlative
good better the best
well better the best
bad worse the worst
far farther/ further the farthest/ the furthest
many/much/some more the most