Comparatives and superlatives: definition, examples and exercises | albert.io (2023)

Comparatives and superlatives are special types of adjectives that are used whencompare two or more things. The hardest part of using comparatives and superlatives is making sure you spell them correctly, but with a little practice, comparatives and superlatives can be mastered quickly.

In this post, we will see what comparatives and superlatives are, the rules of how to form these adjectives correctly, and how to use them effectively in a sentence.

After reviewing the following information,test yourself with a post-assessment quizYPractice here with our high-quality, standards-aligned questions.

The basics of comparatives and superlatives

What is a comparative?

Comparativeare words used to describe a noun by comparing it to another noun. We usually think of "Es' Words likegrandeEsokleinEs, but they can be a bit more complicated.

The way we form comparative adjectives is based on the number of syllables in the adjective and whether the adjective ends in the letter "y" or not.

What is a superlative?

superlative adjectivesare words used to describe a noun when it is compared with two or more nouns of higher or lower degree. You think: bigger, bigger,larger, or small, smaller,the smallest.

As with comparative adjectives, adding "est" isn't always easy. The number of syllables and whether the adjective ends in the letter "y" or not also helps us to form a superlative adjective.

monosyllabic adjectives

Let's look at a graph that shows thecomparativeYSuperlativeWord forms for the most basic monosyllabic adjectives, where we add "Es' For himcomparativeY 'West' For himSuperlative.*Use: When the adjective follows the CVC or the spelling consonant, vowel, consonant, the last consonant is doubled.

Comparatives:

• Soybut fastlike my friend.
• arizona isHeisserlike Alaska.

Superlative adjectives:

• she is the only onehigherStudent.
• that was theshorterseries movie.

Note the other words around the comparative and superlative adjectives.most comparisonsfollowed by 'and', Ymost superlativesfollow the word'Die'.

two syllable adjectives

Now let's look at a graph that shows thecomparativeYSuperlativeWord forms for two-syllable adjectives.Comparativewith two syllables can be formed by adding the 'Esendsoadding the words "further' o 'any less' before the adjective.

Forsuperlative adjectives, You do that 'West' finish, but use the word 'most' o 'at least' instead of 'more' or 'less'.

*Use: In many cases, any form of comparative or superlative can be used, but there is usually a "most common" use. Also, the adjective does not have to end in "y" to use "er" or "est", as the last example in the table shows. Your ear will often be able to tell what sounds best.

Comparatives:

• she tends toless passivelike his brother.
• this quiz iseasierthan the last

Superlative adjectives:

• Autumn is thebusyshopping season
• this is itas fast as possibleDelivery type.

Notice again how thatcomparative adjectivesfollowed by 'and', Ysuperlative adjectivesfollow the word'Die'.

Adjectives of three or more syllables

The following graph shows thecomparativeYSuperlativeWord forms for adjectives that have three or more syllables. In these cases we always add "further' o 'any less' beforecomparative adjectiveY 'most' o 'at least' beforeadjective superlatives.

Comparatives:

• I tend torather shythan my friends when I try new things.
• The noise from the pool wasless annoyingthan the noise of the beach.

Superlative adjectives:

• His second compilation was thismost extraordinaryOf all.
• those were themless comfortableSofas that I have sat on.

Irregular adjectives

when you usecomparativeYSuperlativeAdjectives, it is important to note that there are a handful of themirregular adjectivesthat do not follow the above rules. The following table shows these irregular adjectives together with their comparative and superlative forms.

Comparatives:

• I didbetterthan the rest of my class in finals.
• she ranfurtherin this race than the last.

Superlative adjectives:

• that was thepreferablybirthday present ever!
• i bought thoseat leastexpensive souvenir that I could find.

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2 Tips for Recognizing and Using Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

Tip #1: Rearrange your sentence to use different forms of the adjective

We can use different forms of the adjective if we adapt our sentence to the adjective.

Here are some examples we use for monosyllabic adjectives:

Comparative example:

• i ranbut fastlike my friend.

Now we are going to rearrange the sentence so that we can use theSuperlativeform of adjectives

• Between me and my friend, I ran thisas fast as possible.

Here two people are compared; However, if we limit the nouns we are comparing, we can use thatSuperlativeadjective form. Note that this sentence follows the othersSuperlativecharacteristic of the use of the word "Die' before the adjective.

superlative example:

• that was theshorterseries movie.

Now we are going to rearrange the sentence so that we can use thecomparativeform of adjectives

• That wasshortthan any other film in the series.

It still compares to two or more movies here, and we still describe it as the lowest. By adding'any other' before 'serial film', we can use thatcomparativeadjective form. Note that this sentence now also follows the otherscomparativecharacteristic of the use of the word "and' after the adjective.

Tip #2: Think about your spelling rules before forming the comparative or superlative form of the adjective

Every time we change the ending of a word, we have to take into account how the word is normally spelled.

If the adjective already ends in "e", just add "R' For himcomparativeY 'calle' For himSuperlative.

• Broadbecomeswiderowider.
• courageousbecomesbraverothe bravest.

When the adjective ends in a consonant + short vowel + consonant (CVC), we usually double the last consonant.

• GrandebecomesGreater thanolarger.
• CalientebecomesHeisserohotter.

If the adjective ends in "y", we change the "y" to e "i".

• EarlybecomesEarlieroearlier.
• Tontobecomesdumberothe most stupid.

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Application of basic concepts: review and practice of comparative and superlative adjectives

now that you understandEraComparatives and superlatives are, andAsTo use them correctly in a sentence, we practice identifying them and checking their correct use.

Remember that comparative adjectives describe a noun by comparing it to another noun. Superlative adjectives describe a noun by comparing it to two or more nouns in the highest or lowest degree.

Practice and review of comparative adjectives

Complete the following short exercise to test your mastery of comparative adjectives.

In the following sentences, select the option that indicates exactly whatcomparativeadjective form. Remember that a comparative adjective describes a noun by comparing it to another noun.

1. Lucas is (older/older) than Lily.

• older

2. Alaska is (cooler/colder) than Florida.

• colder

3. I am (more/worried) about this exam than about the previous one.

• more concerned

4. This map is (more/more confusing) than my calculation homework.

• more confusing

5. Yesterday I ran (further/farther) than my best friend.

• Further

Practice and repetition of superlative adjectives

Complete the following short exercise to test your mastery of superlative adjectives.

In the following sentences, select the option that indicates exactly whatSuperlativeadjective form. Remember that a superlative adjective describes a noun by comparing it to two or more nouns on the higher or lower level.

1. Playing with your family is the (most fun/enjoyable) way to pass the time when you're cooped up at home.

• more fun

2. My brother is the (most annoying) person you can have around when you are looking for peace of mind.

• the most annoying

3. We hope to go to the (prettiest/most beautiful) tropical island as soon as possible.

• more beautiful

4. Reading a good book is the (most comfortable/most comfortable) way to relax.

• more leisurely

5. Multitasking is the (least efficient/least efficient) method of productivity.

• the least efficient

Comparative and superlative exercises.

Use your knowledge of bothcomparativeYsuperlative adjectivesin the exercise below.

Identify thecomparativeYSuperlativeadjectives in the following sentences. There can be more than one in a sentence. Be sure to indicate which ones are comparative and which are superlative.

1. I worked on the least complicated task before starting the most difficult work.

• Comparison: more demanding
• Superlative: the least complicated

2. She is taller than the other girls in her class, but she is not the tallest student in the class.

• Comparison: bigger
• Superlative: taller

3. I find that direct instruction is the easiest way to learn new material.

• Superlative: the simplest

4. I think the most obvious answer is correct most of the time.

• Comparative: more often
• Superlative: most obvious

5. First place in the final was the most gratifying achievement after a performance in the section that was tougher than expected.

• Comparison: heavier
• Superlative: more satisfying

You can find more exercises in thecomparative and superlativeContent about Albert.

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Try it yourself: comparative and superlative adjectives test

Do you feel confident in your understanding of comparative and superlative adjectives?

Take this short quiz to see what you learned:

1. Do the comparative or superlative adjectives show the highest degree of quality?

• Answer: superlative adjectives
• Correct Explanation: That's correct!superlative adjectivesDescribes a noun by comparing it to two or more nouns of higher or lower degree.ComparativeDescribes a noun by comparing it to another noun.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that's not correct. Remember,ComparativeDescribes a noun by comparing it to another noun.superlative adjectivesDescribes a noun by comparing it to two or more nouns of higher or lower degree.

2. Do comparative or superlative adjectives sometimes use the additional modifier "more"?

• Answer: comparative adjectives
• Correct Explanation: That's correct! FromComparativedo not describe a noun by comparing it to two or more nouns in higher or lower degree, they may use modifiers such as "more".
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that's not correct. Remember,superlative adjectivesdescribe a noun by comparing it to two or more nouns at the highest or lowest level, so they would use modifiers like "most" or "minimum".Comparativedo not describe a noun by comparing it to two or more nouns in higher or lower degree, they may use modifiers such as "more".

3. Does the following sentence use a comparative or superlative adjective?

Chicagoans often agree that deep dish pizza is better than thin crust pizza.

• Answer: comparative adjective
• Correct Explanation: That's correct! In this sentence, deep dish pizza is compared to thin crust pizza. The word "better" is acomparative adjectivesince it compares one type of pizza with another.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that's not correct. Remember,superlative adjectivesDescribes a noun by comparing it to two or more nouns of higher or lower degree. In this sentence, deep dish pizza is compared to thin crust pizza. The word "better" is acomparative adjectivesince it compares one type of pizza with another.

4. Is the underlined part of the sentence below a comparative or superlative adjective?

The tree in front of my house is thathighertree in the neighborhood

• Answer: superlative adjective
• Correct Explanation: That's correct!superlative adjectivesDescribes a noun by comparing it to two or more nouns of higher or lower degree. The word "tallest" describes the tallest tree compared to the other trees in the neighborhood.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that's not correct. remember rememberComparativeDescribes a noun by comparing it to another noun.superlative adjectivesDescribes a noun by comparing it to two or more nouns of higher or lower degree. The word "tallest" describes the tallest tree compared to the other trees in the neighborhood.

5. In which of the following sentences is a comparative adjective used correctly?

A. I thought your portion was bigger than mine.

B. I thought your portion was bigger than mine.

• Answer:B
• Correct Explanation: That's correct!Comparativethey usually end with the letters "er" because they describe a comparison with another noun.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that's not correct.superlative adjectivesthey usually end with the letters "est" because they describe a comparison with two or more nouns in the highest or lowest degree. Also, superlative adjectives are not usually followed by the word "like".Comparativethey usually end with the letters "er" because they describe a comparison with another noun.

6. In which of the following sentences is an adjective used correctly in the superlative?

A. That was the least memorable movie I've seen in a long time.

B. That was the least memorable movie I've seen in a long time.

• Answer to
• Correct Explanation: That's correct!superlative adjectiveswith three syllables, use the words "less" or "more" because they describe a comparison with two or more nouns in the higher or lower degree.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that's not correct.Comparativewith three syllables, use the words "more" or "less" because they describe a comparison with another noun.superlative adjectiveswith three syllables, use the words "less" or "more" because they describe a comparison with two or more nouns in the higher or lower degree.

You can find more exercises with comparative and superlative adjectives in our exercise on Albert.io:comparative and superlative.

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Comparatives and Superlatives Teacher's Corner

While it is true that comparative and superlative adjectives are a basic grammar skill, the Common Core Progressive English Language Skills Chartshows that even basic skills "require continued attention in the upper grades as they are applied to increasingly challenging writing and speaking."

For specific rulesIf you're dealing with adjectives in the comparative and superlative, check out the Common Core State Standards website.

Albertocomparative and superlativeThe exercise can be used for so much more than just doing homework!

Ourevaluationsthey can be used as pre and post tests to measure student progress. Our premade quizzes can be used as ringtones, exit tickets, and more!

In addition to our pre-built tests, you can also use our assignments feature to create your own tests and exams.

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Summary of comparative adjectives and superlative adjectives

Acomparative adjectiveis a word that describes a noun by comparing it to another noun. Comparative adjectives usually end in "er" and are followed by the word "than."

ASuperlatives Adjectiveis a word that describes a noun by comparing it with two or more nouns in the higher or lower degree. Superlative adjectives usually end in "est" and are preceded by the word "the".

Comparative and superlative adjectives are words that we see and use often in our writing. Be sure to structure your comparative and superlative adjectives according to the number of syllables in the adjective.

Practice makes teachers! use ourcomparative and superlativePractice with Albertogrammar course!

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