2. Comparatives and Superlatives

Comparatives can be either adjectives or adverbs. They are used to compare two persons, things or places. Comparatives are created by adding –er to either an adjective or adverb. Superlatives are used to compare more than two people, things or places, and mostly created by adding –est to adjectives or some adverbs. However, if the word ends in –y, make the comparative by changing the y to i and then add –er or -est Word Comparative Superlative clever cleverer cleverest fat fatter fattest tall taller tallest happy happier happiest hairy hairier hairiest pretty prettier prettiest Word Comparative Superlative bad, badly worse worst beautiful more beautiful most beautiful far (additional) further furthest far (distance) farther farthest good/well better best intelligent more intelligent most intelligent kindly kindlier kindliest little less least more more most old (age) older oldest old (position in family) elder eldest Word Comparative Superlative sweet (adjective) sweeter sweetest sweet (adverb) more sweetly most sweetly The common mistake made is adding more to comparative or most to superlative. EXAMPLE: weaker – more weaker – most weakest (INCORRECT) weaker – weaker – weakest (CORRECT)