Degrees of comparison

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• mavo, havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 2-4

RECAP

Comparatives and superlatives

Comparing + Contrasting

Comparative + Superlative

Box A is small.

     Box B is smaller than box A.

Box C is the smallest of all.

A

B

C

Comparatives and superlatives

Words of 1 syllable:

- Comparative: -er

- Superlative: -est

old

older

oldest

Comparatives and superlatives

Words of two or more syllables:

- Comparative: more more

- Superlative: most

expensive

more expensive

most expensive

Comparatives and superlatives

Words of 2 syllables ending on le/er/ow/y also >  + er  / + est

yellow - yellower than - the yellowest

gentle - gentler than - the gentlest

BUT: Words that end on a consonant (medeklinker) + y > ier/iest

happy - happier than - the happiest 

lucky - luckier than - the luckiest 

These are the most common exceptions!

1. good - better - best 
2. bad - worse - worst 
3. little - less - least 
4. much/many - more - most 

Quiz

Type the word(s) that go(es) on the ---. 

Mind you: the words 'the' of 'than'  aren't given, so you need to find out whether to use the comparative or the superlative. 

My house is (nice)
...
yours.

Who is (good) ..... football player in the world?

This is .....(interesting)
book I have ever read.

Is Mrs Jones ..... (rich)
woman on earth?

The weather this summer is even
(bad) ... last summer.

What is your (bad) ...... subject at school?

This flower is........ (beautiful)
that one.

A holiday by the sea is (good) ...
a holiday in the mountains.

.... (intelligent) students are doing this quiz right now!

I use little sugar in my tea, but my sister uses even .... (little) in hers.