Comparative and Superlative Adjectives: Getting Better and Best!

Comparative and Superlative Adjectives: Getting Better and Best!

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to explain the use of the comparative and the superlative of English adjectives with one, two or three syllables.

Emphasize the importance of learning adjectives in order to compare things in English.

What do you already know about comparing things?

Adjective Basics

Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns. They can be used to compare things.

Remind students that adjectives are used to describe or modify nouns.

Comparative Adjectives

Comparative adjectives are used to compare two things. They are usually formed by adding -er to the end of the adjective.

Explain that comparative adjectives are used when comparing two things.

Examples of Comparative Adjectives

Examples: bigger, smaller, faster, slower, taller, shorter

Provide examples for students to practice with.

Irregular Comparative Adjectives

Some adjectives are irregular in their comparative form. Examples: good - better, bad - worse, far - farther/further.

Emphasize that students need to memorize these irregular forms.

Superlative Adjectives

Superlative adjectives are used to compare three or more things. They are usually formed by adding -est to the end of the adjective.

Explain that superlative adjectives are used when comparing three or more things.

Examples of Superlative Adjectives

Examples: biggest, smallest, fastest, slowest, tallest, shortest

Provide examples for students to practice with.

Irregular Superlative Adjectives

Some adjectives are irregular in their superlative form. Examples: good - best, bad - worst, far - farthest/furthest.

Emphasize that students need to memorize these irregular forms.

One-Syllable Adjectives

One-syllable adjectives add -er and -est. Examples: big - bigger - biggest

Demonstrate how to form comparative and superlative adjectives for one-syllable words.

Two-Syllable Adjectives

Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y change to -ier and -iest. Examples: happy - happier - happiest

Explain the rule for forming comparative and superlative adjectives for two-syllable words ending in -y.

Two-Syllable Adjectives (cont.)

Two-syllable adjectives not ending in -y use more and most. Examples: modern - more modern - most modern

Explain the rule for forming comparative and superlative adjectives for two-syllable words not ending in -y.

Three-Syllable Adjectives

Three-syllable adjectives use more and most. Examples: beautiful - more beautiful - most beautiful

Explain the rule for forming comparative and superlative adjectives for three-syllable words.

Practice Time!

Now it's time to practice! Use the words on the screen to form comparative and superlative adjectives.

Provide practice sentences for students to complete.

Review

Let's review what we've learned today.

Recap the lesson and provide any additional practice if necessary.

Assessment

Assess the students' understanding of comparative and superlative adjectives.

Create an assessment based on the lesson objectives.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.

What is the comparative form of 'subtle'?

1. subtlest
2. more subtle
3. subtler
4. most subtle

Which of the following is the correct comparative form of 'heavy'?

1. heavier
2. heavi
3. heavyest
4. heavyier