Comparative & superlative
Comparative adjs
When we compare 2 things, we often use the comparative forms of adjs or advs. E.g.
5 + 5 is greater than 6 + 3.
A Rolls Royce car is much less expensive than a Ford Focus.
Superlative adjs
When we compare more than 2 things, we often use the superlative forms. E.g.
A Jumbo Jet (Boeing 747) is the largest passenger plane in the world.
That was the best meal I`ve ever eaten.
Useful expressions
Comparing 2 things:
...much/far/a lot greater than....
...a bit/a little more/less expensive than...
Comparing more than 2 things:
... the (largest) in the world, in the class, in the group, of all
... the (best) that I have ever eaten/seen/drunk/tried ...
Practice: A or B
1. John is 20. Peter is 21. John is...
A. younger than Peter.
B. youngest than Peter.
A
2. Frank`s car = 20 kilometers per liter. Billy`s motorbike = 80 kilometers per liter. Billy`s motorbike is...
A. more economical than Frank`s car.
B. most economical than Frank`s car.
A
3. Frank`s watch = £99.99. Sarah`s watch = £49.99. Billy`s watch = £9.99. Billy`s watch is...
A. the less expensive of the three.
B. the least expensive of the three.
B
Forming Comparative & Superlative Adjs
1. Adjs with 2 syllables ending in a consonant sound
Consonants in English are the letters b, c, d, f, g & so on. When we say adjs like handsome and distant, they end in a consonant sound.
Normal comparative: more (or less) + adjective
Normal superlative: most (or least) + adjective
E.g.
handsome --> more handsome --> most handsome
distant --> more distant --> most distant
2. Adjs with 2 syllables ending in a vowel sound
Vowels in English are the letters a, e, i, o, u, and sometimes y. When we say adjs like handsome and distant, they end in a consonant sound.
Normal comparative: Adjective + er
Normal superlative: Adjective + est
Examples:
slow --> slower --> slowest
busy --> busier --> busiest
Spelling: Sometimes an adj ends in consonant + y, e.g., busy:
change the y to ier, for example: busy --> busier
3. Adjectives with 3 syllables or more
Comparative: more (or less) + adjective
Superlative: the most (or least) + adjective
4. Irregular forms
There are 3 common adjs - good, bad and far - with irregular comparative and superlative forms:
good --> better --> best
bad --> worse --> worst
far --> farther or further --> farthest or furthest
Practice: How many syllables?
1. intelligent...
4
2. stupid
2
3. clear...
1
4. beautiful...
3
5. crazy...
2
6. impossible...
4
7. clever...
2
8. new...
1
9. difficult...
3
10. young...
1