Comparatives / superlatives (than)


Comparatives - introduction

We use the comparative structure to compare two or more things:

Comparatives - form

We make the comparative with:
comparative adjective + "than"
or
"not as" + base adjective + "as".

If we use "as" + adjective + "as" in the positive, it means the two things are the same:
Making comparative adjectives
  1. For one-syllable adjectives such as: big or sad, we double the final consonant and add "er":
    • bigger
    • sadder
    If the base adjective ends with a double consonant we just add "er":
    • smaller
    • taller
  2. For adjectives with two or more syllables we put "more" or "less" before the adjective:
    • more expensive, less expensive
    • more exciting, less exciting
  3. For two-syllable adjectives which end with the consonant "y", we take away "y" and add "ier":
    • happier
    • crazier

Irregular comparative adjectives include:
We can use determiners before comparative adjectives to modify or add emphasis:

Practice

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the adjective in brackets:
.
1)
A new car is    than an old car. (expensive)

 
2)
Sophie is a    singer than Maria. (good)

 
3)
Maths is    than physics. (easy)

 
4)
A king is    than a doctor. (rich)

 

Superlatives - introduction

We use the superlative structure to say that something is more than all the others in a group:

Superlatives - form

We make the superlative with: "the" + superlative adjective

Making superlative adjectives Irregular superlative adjectives include:

Practice

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the adjective in brackets.
.
1)
Paul is the    singer in the group. (bad)

 
2)
Mrs Smith is the    teacher in the college. (amazing)

 
3)
That man has the    dog on our street. (wild)

 
4)
That is the    movie I have ever seen. (funny)

 

Further practice

Complete the sentences with the correct answer from a, b, c or d:
.
1)
I think New York is ____ than many other cities.
 

 

2)
I was ____ to arrive at the meeting.
 

 

3)
The blue table is ____ the red one.
 

 

4)
Luxembourg ____ Russia.
 

 

5)
My room is much ____ yours.
 

 

6)
A dictionary is ____ book to have.
 

 

Further language point

Sometimes we talk about how something is done and so we use adverbs to describe the verb:

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