Comparatives & Superlatives

Learn the rules and practice with interactive exercises!

What are they?

Comparatives are used to compare two things. We often use the word 'than' with them.
Example: "My car is faster than your car."

Superlatives are used to compare three or more things. They show which thing is at the top level. We often use 'the' with them.
Example: "This is the fastest car in the world."

The Rules

1-Syllable Adjectives

Add -er for comparative and -est for superlative.

  • tall → taller → tallest
  • fast → faster → fastest

1-Syllable (CVC)

If it ends in Consonant-Vowel-Consonant, double the last consonant.

  • big → bigger → biggest
  • hot → hotter → hottest

Ends in -y

Change y to i, then add -er or -est.

  • happy → happier → happiest
  • busy → busier → busiest

2+ Syllables

Use more for comparative and most for superlative.

  • famous → more famous → most famous
  • expensive → more expensive → most expensive

Ends in -e

Just add -r for comparative and -st for superlative.

  • large → larger → largest
  • nice → nicer → nicest

Irregular Adjectives

These are special! You must remember them.

  • good → betterbest
  • bad → worseworst
  • far → furtherfurthest

Practice 1: Choose the Correct Answer

Practice 2: Fill in the Blanks