Comparison of adjectives
A - Comparison with -er/-est
clean - cleaner - (the) cleanest
We use -er/-est with the following adjectives:
1) adjectives with one syllable
clean | cleaner | cleanest |
new | newer | newest |
cheap | cheaper | cheapest |
2) adjectives with two syllables and the following endings:
2 - 1) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -y
dirty | dirtier | dirtiest |
easy | easier | easiest |
happy | happier | happiest |
pretty | prettier | prettiest |
2 - 2) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -er
clever | cleverer | cleverest |
2 - 3) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -le
simple | simpler | simplest |
2 - 4) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -ow
narrow | narrower | narrowest |
Spelling of the adjectives using the endings -er/-est
large | larger | largest | leave out the silent -e |
big | bigger | biggest | Double the consonant after short vowel |
sad | sadder | saddest | |
dirty | dirtier | dirtiest | Change -y to -i (consonant before -y) |
shy | shyer | shyest | Here -y is not changed to -i. (although consonant before -y) |
B - Comparison with more - most
difficult - more difficult - (the) most difficult
all adjectives with more than one syllable (except some adjectives with two syllables - see
2 - 1 to 2 - 4)
C - Irregular adjectives
good | better | best | |
bad | worse | worst | |
much | more | most | uncountable nouns |
many | more | most | countable nouns |
little | less | least | |
little | smaller | smallest |
D - Special adjectives
Some ajdectives have two possible forms of comparison.
common | commoner / more common | commonest / most common |
likely | likelier / more likely | likeliest / most likely |
pleasant | pleasanter / more pleasant | pleasantest / most pleasant |
polite | politer / more polite | politest / most polite |
simple | simpler / more simple | simplest / most simple |
stupid | stupider / more stupid | stupidest / most stupid |
subtle | subtler / more subtle | subtlest |
sure | surer / more sure | surest / most sure |
Difference in meaning with adjectives:
far | farther | farthest | distance |
further | furthest | distance or time | |
late | later | latest | |
latter | x | ||
x | last | ||
old | older | oldest | people and things |
elder | eldest | people (family) | |
near | nearer | nearest | distance |
x | next | order |
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