Description: Comparative and superlative in English. In this section we analyze the use and formation of the comparative and the superlative. In addition, we analyze irregular comparatives and superlatives in English. You can access our online exercises with self-evaluation.

COMPARATIVE

There are three different types of comparative structures in English: INFERIORITY, EQUALITY AND SUPERIORITY

1) INFERIORITY COMPARATIVE:

Structure: [less + than] ///// [not as .......as] 

Example: He is less intelligent than you 

Example: He is not as intelligent as you 

NOTE: "Less" is usually used fot uncountables and "fewer" for countables. 

2) EQUALITY COMPARATIVE:

Structure: [as + as] 

Example: He is as intelligent as you 

3) SUPERIORITY COMPARATIVE

This type of comparative has two different structures depending on the lenght of the adjective:

SHORT ADJECTIVES [-er + than]

Example: He is taller than me 

LONG ADJECTIVES [more + than] 

Example: He is more intelligent than me 

SPECIAL SPELLING

Pretty - Prettier (The "y" is substituted by "i", and after that we add "-er".

Large - Larger (We add just one "r" because the adjective finishes in "-e".

Big - Bigger (If an adjective finishes in  consonat+vowel+consonant, the last consonant is doubled and "-er" is added).

IRREGULAR ADJECTIVES IN COMPARATIVE

 Good  - Better 

 Bad -    Worse

 Far -     Further 

SUPERLATIVE

In English, the superlative also has two different structures depending on the adjective length:

SHORT ADJECTIVES 

Structure: [the + -est]

Example: He is the tallest boy in the classroom 

LONG ADJECTIVES

Structure: [ the most + adjetivo]

Example: He is the most intelligent boy in the classroom 

IRREGULAR ADJECTIVES IN SUPERLATIVE

Good -  The best 

Bad -    The worst 

Far -     The furthest