Adjectives 4

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Adjectives 4

Introduction

One way of describing a person or thing is by saying that they have more of a particular quality than someone or something else. To do this, we use comparative adjectives, which are formed either by adding -er at the end of the adjective, or placing more before it, e.g.

She’s more intelligent than her sister.

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Rule #1

1. One syllable adjectives generally form the comparative by adding -er and the superlative by adding -est, e.g.

SOFT - SOFTER - THE SOFTEST

2

Rule #2

More and most are sometimes used with one-syllable adjectives as an alternative to the -er/-est form when we particularly want to emphasize the comparison, or if the adjective occurs with another adjective which has more than one syllable, e.g.

That sofa might look nice, but this one is more soft and comfortable.

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Rule #3

Two-syllable adjectives which end in -y usually form the comparative by adding -er and the superlative by adding -est, (note the change of -y to-i in the comparative/superlative).

Lucky - luckier - the luckiest

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Rule #4

Two-syllable adjectives ending in -ed, -ing, -ful, or -less always form the comparative with more and the superlative with most. 

worried- more worried - the most worried

Can you think of more examples like this?

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Note!

As a general rule, most other two-syllable adjectives also form comparatives and superlatives with more and most, apart from those ending in -y.  However, a few two-syllable adjectives can take either -er/-est or more/most. Here are three examples. 

narrow narrower/more narrow the narrowest/most narrow

simple simpler/more simple the simplest/most simple

quiet quieter/more quiet the quietest/most quiet

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Rule #5

Adjectives which have three or more syllables always form the comparative and superlative with more and most.

dangerous- more dangerous - the most dangerous

Can you think of more examples like this?

10

Note!

The only exceptions are some three-syllable adjectives which have been formed by adding the prefix un- to another adjective, especially those formed from an adjective ending in-y. These adjectives can form comparatives and superlatives by using more/most or adding -er/-est. 

unhappy unhappier the unhappiest/most unhappy

Can you think of more examples like this?

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Rule #6

The following adjectives have irregular comparative and superlative forms:

good - better - the best

bad - worse -the worst

far - farther/further -the farthest/furthest

What is the difference between farther and further?

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Note!

The adjectives ill and well, describing bad and good health, have irregular comparative forms. The comparative of ill is worse, and the comparative of well is better, e.g. She’s feeling much better/worse today.

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Rule # 7

Comparatives and superlatives of compound adjectives are generally formed by using more and most, e.g.

Going skiing was the most nerve-wracking experience I’ve had.

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Note!

Some compound adjectives have a first element consisting of an adjective which would normally form a comparative or superlative in one word, either by adding -er/-est, or by an irregular form. Such compound adjectives can, therefore form a comparative/superlative by using these changes to the first adjective, rather than by using more/most.

good-looking- better- looking- the best-looking

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Note!

Note that if a one-syllable adjective ends in a single vowel letter followed by a single consonant letter, the consonant letter is doubled, e.g. thin - thinner/thinnest.

Can you think of more examples like this?

3

Note!

If an adjective ends in -e, this is removed when adding -er/-est, e.g. wide - wider/widest.

Can you think of more examples like this?

4

Note!

If an adjective ends in a consonant followed by -y, -y is replaced by -i when adding -er/-est, e.g. dry - drier/driest.

Can you think of more examples like this?

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Choose comparative

1. more quiet
2. much quiet
3. quieter
4. quiet

Choose
comparative

1. expensive
2. expensiver
3. more expensive
4. the most expensiver

Choose
comparative

1. more narrow
2. narrower
3. much narrow
4. narrow

Which one is not correct?

1. far - further - furthest
2. little - less - least
3. bad - badder - baddest
4. good - better - best

choose comparative

1. thin
2. more thin
3. thiner
4. thinner

Which one is NOT correct?

1. big - biger - bigest
2. good - better - best
3. busy - busier -busiest
4. nice - nicer - nicest

Comparisons:
The King is the ___________

1. more powerful
2. powerfuller
3. powerfullst
4. most powerful

Which comparison is incorrect?

1. Longest
2. Ugliest
3. Handsomest
4. Smartest

Write down the comparison of ILL

Write down the comparison of unhappy

Write down the comparison of FAR

Write down the comparison of QUIET

Write down the comparison of LITTLE

Write down the comparison of
LONG-LASTING

Write down the comparison of DRY

Write down the comparison of THIN

Write down the comparison of NARROW

Write down the comparison of SIMPLE

Compare two people​

You will receive a card with a picture and some information about a person. ​

Work in groups. Talk about appearance. Compate two people.​

What do you think this person might be doing in real life?  Would you like to be friends with this person? Why/why not? ​