Compare two things (-er than). Compare three or more (the -est). Plus the irregular ones (better, best).
“Life is full of comparisons. This is bigger than that. She is taller than him. This is the best book I ever read. Today we learn how.”
I have three brothers. The first is older than me. The second is the oldest in the family. The youngest is only 30.
My second brother is the tallest of all of us. He is taller than me, and I am taller than the first one. But the youngest is the strongest. He is stronger than all of us together.
The first brother is the smartest. He is more intelligent than any of us. The second is more handsome. The youngest is the funniest. We are all different, but we love each other equally.
Short adjectives (1 or 2 syllables): add -er. 'Tall → taller'. 'Big → bigger' (double the consonant). 'Easy → easier' (y becomes ier).
'My brother is taller than me.'
Long adjectives (3+ syllables): use 'more' before. 'Beautiful → more beautiful.' 'Interesting → more interesting.'
'This book is more interesting than that one.'
Always followed by 'than': 'Bigger than'. 'More expensive than.'
Short adjectives: add -est. 'Tall → the tallest.' 'Big → the biggest.' 'Easy → the easiest.'
'He is the tallest in the class.' (Always use 'the' before a superlative.)
Long adjectives: 'the most' before. 'The most beautiful.' 'The most interesting.'
'It is the most beautiful house in the village.'
These four you must memorise:
Good → better → the best.
Bad → worse → the worst.
Far → farther/further → the farthest/furthest.
Little → less → the least.
'This is the best tea I ever had.' 'She is a better singer than her sister.'
Click “Translate” below if you need any word in your own language.
Comparative of 'big'.
An elephant is bigger than a dog.
Comparative of 'small'.
A mouse is smaller than a cat.
Comparative of 'tall'.
He is taller than me.
Used before long adjectives for comparison.
More beautiful, more expensive.
Joins two things being compared.
Bigger than a house.
Superlative of 'good'. Irregular.
This is the best day.
Superlative of 'bad'. Irregular.
That was the worst movie.
Used before long adjectives for superlative.
The most interesting book.
Some languages use a single word to mean 'better' OR 'best' depending on context. English is strict: TWO things = better. Three+ things = the best. Same for biggest, smallest, etc. ALWAYS use 'the' before a superlative.
Try these on paper or out loud. Mr. Gee's rule: practice today, do not save it for tomorrow.
Comparing TWO: -er + than (short adj), more + than (long adj). Comparing 3+: the -est (short), the most (long). 4 irregulars: good/better/best, bad/worse/worst, far/farther/farthest, little/less/least.
Read aloud every day. Even if it sounds funny. Your tongue needs practice.
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