Comparatives and Superlatives

Comparative Adjectives

For 1 syllable adjectives we add er and use than to compare 2 nouns or activities:

Noun/Activity 1BEComparative AdjectivethanNoun/Activity 2
Giraffesaretallerthandogs.
LondonisolderthanNew York.
Swimmingischeaperthanskiing.

If the adjective has consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) sounds and the last consonant is 1 letter, we double the last consonant and add er:

AdjectiveCVCCerComparative Adjective
bigbiggerbigger
hothotterhotter
thinthinnerthinner

We change y to ier for 2 syllable words ending in y:

AdjectiveComparative Adjective
easyeasier
friendlyfriendlier

For other adjectives with 2 syllables or more, we use more with the normal adjective and use than to compare 2 nouns or activities:

Noun/Activity 1BemoreAdjectivethanNoun/Activity 2
Goldismoreexpensivethansilver.
Dolphinsaremoreintelligentthansharks.
Climbingismoredangerousthansitting.
Marketsaremorecrowdedthanparks.

Irregular Comparatives

Some comparative adjectives are irregular:

AdjectiveComparative
goodbetter
badworse
farfarther/further (AmE/BrE)
funmore fun
well (not sick)better

Tip!
* farther is American English (AmE).
* further is British English (BrE).

Now try the quiz below!

Comparatives - Short Adjectives

Comparatives - Long Adjectives

Irregular Comparatives

Superlatives

Comparatives and Superlatives - Review