Comparison of adjectives in English
Grammatical constructions used for comparing adjectives
There are three forms of comparison:
- positive
- comparative
- superlative
1. Comparison with -er/-est
clean → cleaner → (the) cleanest
We use -er/-est with the following adjectives:
1.1. Adjectives with one syllable
positive |
comparative |
superlative |
clean |
cleaner |
cleanest |
new |
newer |
newest |
cheap |
cheaper |
cheapest |
1.2. Adjectives with two syllables and the following endings:
1.2.1. Adjectives with two syllables, ending in -y
positive |
comparative |
superlative |
dirty |
dirtier |
dirtiest |
easy |
easier |
easiest |
happy |
happier |
happiest |
pretty |
prettier |
prettiest |
1.2.2. Adjectives with two syllables, ending in -er
positive |
comparative |
superlative |
clever |
cleverer |
cleverest |
1.2.3. Adjectives with two syllables, ending in -le
positive |
comparative |
superlative |
simple |
simpler |
simplest |
1.2.4. Adjectives with two syllables, ending in -ow
positive |
comparative |
superlative |
narrow |
narrower |
narrowest |
1.3. Spelling of the adjectives using the endings -er/-est
positive |
comparative |
superlative |
comment |
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) |
2. Comparison with more – most
all adjectives with more than one syllable (except some adjectives with two syllables – see 2.1. to 2.4.)
positive |
comparative |
superlative |
difficult |
more difficult |
(the) most difficult |
3. Irregular adjectives
positive |
comparative |
superlative |
comment |
good |
better |
best |
|
bad |
worse |
worst |
|
much |
more |
most |
uncountable nouns |
many |
more |
most |
countable nouns |
little |
less |
least |
|
small |
smaller |
smallest |
|
4. Special adjectives
Some adjectives have two possible forms of comparison (-er/est and more/most).
positive |
comparative |
superlative |
clever |
cleverer / more clever |
cleverest / most clever |
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 |
quiet |
quieter / more quiet |
quietest / most quiet |
simple |
simpler / more simple |
simplest / most simple |
stupid |
stupider / more stupid |
stupidest / most stupid |
subtle |
subtler / more subtle |
subtlest / most subtle |
sure |
surer / more sure |
surest / most sure |
5. Difference in meaning with adjectives
positive |
comparative |
superlative |
comment |
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 |