Comparatives and Superlatives in English
📌 Lesson Contents
🎯 Lesson goal
In this lesson you will learn to use comparatives 📖 (to compare two things) and superlatives 📖 (to say that something is the most or the least of all). You will learn the main rules 🧠 and the exceptions ✍️, and then practise straight away with the test at the bottom of the page! 🚀
🌟 What are comparatives and superlatives?
- Comparative ➔ used to compare two things 📏.
- Superlative ➔ used to say that one thing is the top of a group 📈.
🔍 How do we make the comparative?
Basic rule: for short adjectives (1 syllable) ➔ add -er + than.
Examples of forms:
- small ➔ smaller than 🐭
- tall ➔ taller than 🏀
- fast ➔ faster than 🏃♂️
Example sentences:
- My house is bigger than yours. 🏡
- He is taller than his brother. 🧍♂️
🔍 How do we make the superlative?
Basic rule: for short adjectives ➔ add the + adjective + -est.
Examples of forms:
- small ➔ the smallest 🐭
- tall ➔ the tallest 🏀
- fast ➔ the fastest 🏃♂️
Example sentences:
- This is the biggest apple. 🍎
- He is the tallest in the team. 🏀
🧩 Special rules
| Case | Comparativo | Superlative | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short adjectives (1 syllable) | adjective + -er than | the + adjective + -est | small ➔ smaller / the smallest |
| Adjectives ending in -y | change -y to -ier than | the + -iest | happy ➔ happier / the happiest 😄 |
| Long adjectives (2+ syllables) | more + adjective + than | the most + adjective | beautiful ➔ more beautiful / the most beautiful |
| Irregular (Good / Bad) | better / worse than | the best / the worst | good ➔ better / the best ⭐ |
Examples with long adjectives:
- This book is more interesting than that one. 📖
- She is the most intelligent student. 🧠
❓ Basic questions answered
- When do I use -er and when do I use “more”?
➔ Short adjectives (1 syllable) use -er; long adjectives (2+ syllables) use more. - Does the superlative always need “the”?
➔ Yes, always! (e.g. the biggest, the most beautiful). - What about adjectives that end in -y?
➔ Change the final -y to -ier for the comparative and -iest for the superlative (e.g. happy ➔ happier ➔ the happiest).
🚫 Common mistakes to avoid
| Mistake ❌ | Correct ✅ |
|---|---|
| She is more tall than me. | She is taller than me. (tall is short, so it takes -er!) |
| This is most beautiful place. | This is the most beautiful place. (Don’t forget “the”) |
| He is the tallest than his brother. | He is taller than his brother. (With two people we use the comparative) |
👉 Remember: use “than” with comparatives and “the” with superlatives!
📌 Final summary
- Comparative: -er than for short adjectives, more + adjective + than for long adjectives. Always use than when you compare two things!
- Superlative: the + adjective + -est or the most + adjective. Always use the!
Practise every day by comparing objects, people and places around you! 🌍
Gap Fill & Translation Exercises
Test yourself! In the first 15 sentences, type the correct comparative or superlative form. In the last 5, write the sentence in English from the clues.