1Comparatives and superlatives
2Comparatives and Superlatives are special forms of adjectives. • They are used to compare two or more things. • Generally, comparatives are formed using -er and superlatives are formed using -est.
3Forming comparatives and superlatives How these forms are created depends on how many syllables there are in the adjective. Syllables are like “sound beats”. For instance, “sing” contains one syllable, but “singing” contains two — sing and ing. Here are the rules:
4One syllable adjectives • One syllable adjectives generally form the comparative by adding -er and the superlative by adding -est, e.g.:
5SPELLING RULES • Note that if a one syllable adjective ends in a single vowel letter followed by a single consonant letter, the consonant letter is doubled, e.g.: thin → thinner, big → biggest. • If an adjective ends in -e, this is removed when adding -er/-est, e.g.: wide → wider/widest. • If an adjective ends in a consonant followed by -y, -y is replaced by -i when adding -er/-est, e.g.: dry → drier/driest.
6TWO SYLLABLE ADJECTIVES • two syllable adjectives ending in -ed, -ing, -ful, or -less always form the comparative with more and the superlative with the most, e.g.:
7two syllable adjectives ending in -ed, ing, -ful, or -less always form the comparative with more and the superlative with the most, e.g.:
8Three or more syllables • Adjectives which have three or more syllables always form the comparative and superlative with MORE and THE MOST