Degrees of comparison

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 1

Adjectives part 2

Year 1

Learning objective

I can use comparatives and superlatives in a sentence.

Degrees of comparison

Comparative = 2 people/ things/ animals

Superlative = You compare 1 person/thing/animal with the rest

more intelligent

least

happier

safest

smaller

Vergrotende trap

Overtreffende trap

Comparatives and Superlatives

To compare two things or people, you add -er (comparative) or 

-est (superlative) to the adjective.

The baseball is small

The tennis ball is smaller.

The golf ball is smallest of them all.

Comparatives and Superlatives

If the adjective end in -e, you only add -r or -st.

safe - safer - safest

If the adjective ends in a short vowel (a, e, i, o, u) + one consonant, you also double the consonant.

fit - fitter - fittest.

Comparatives and Superlatives

If the adjective ends in a consonant +y, you replace the last letter with -ier and -iest.

happy - happier - happiest

Comparatives and Superlatives

For adjectives with three syllables (lettergrepen) or more, you use more in the comparative and most in the superlative. 

Note: 

practical - more practical - most practical

awful - more awful - most awful

Comparatives and Superlatives

Some adjectives have their own irregular form.

good/well - better - best

bad/ill - worse - worst

little - less - least

many/much - more - most

What is the comparative of "beautiful"?

What is the comparative of "sad"?

What is the superlative of "hot"?

What is the superlative of "safe"?

What is the superlative of "good"

What is the superlative of "slow"?

Write a sentence using the superlative.
Write a sentence using the comparison.