Adjectives are words that are used to describe or modify nouns or pronouns. Comparative adjectives do exactly that, they compare one noun to another. Superlative adjectives show a further level of comparison.

Add “er” or “est”

Some examples:

Absolute	Comparative	Superlative
bright	brighter	brightest
fast	faster	fastest
happy	happier	happiest
friendly	friendlier	friendliest

But you cannot add “er” or “est” to all adjectives. It only works for adjectives with one syllable and those ending with “y”.

Add “more” or “most”

 Some examples:

Absolute	Comparative	Superlative
beautiful	more beautiful	most beautiful
difficult	more difficult	most difficult
exceptional	more exceptional	most exceptional

 

One rule to remember

Use one method only – never both.

For example, don’t say: It’s much more hotter  today than yesterday. “More hot” is also wrong, because you can escalate hot by adding “er” and “est”.

The exceptions: Irregular adjectives

When you cannot add “er” or “est”, nor use “more” or “most”:

Absolute	Comparative	Superlative
good	better	best
bad	worse	worst
much	more	most
little	less	least
far	further	furthest

©Andrea Paulsen