Comparative and superlative adjectives

Regular one-syllable adjectives have forms like these:
adjective comparative superlative
young younger (the) youngest

If an adjective ends in a single vowel and consonant (not w), the final letter is doubled, as in thin to thinner.
Examples: sad, big, fat, hot, wet

Two-syllable adjectives ending in a consonant followed by the letter-y have forms like these:
adjective comparative superlative
dirty                 dirtier (the) dirtiest
Examples: angry, busy, easy, funny, happy, heavy, silly, tiny

Most other two-syllable adjectives and all longer adjectives form their comparative and superlative like this:
adjective comparative superlative
careful   more careful (the) most careful

Some common two-syllable adjectives can use either of the forms above.
adjective comparative    superlative
simple simpler (the) simplest
                       OR
                       more simple (the) most simple
Examples: clever, cruel, gentle, likely, narrow,

Irregular adjectives have the following forms:
adjective comparative        superlative
good better (the) best
bad worse (the) worst
far farther/further (the) farthest/furthest
old older/elder (the) oldest/eldest

Negative comparatives and superlatives
To make negative comparisons we use not as ... as or less ... than. We tend to use not as ... as with adjectives that have a positive meaning, e.g.
Chips are not as good for you as baked potatoes.
We tend to use less ... than with adjectives that have a negative meaning, e.g.
Some types of fat are less harmful than others.

To make negative superlative statements we use the least.
He always chooses the least expensive dish on the menu.

adjective
heavy
negative comparitive
less heavy (than) OR not as heavy as
negative superlative
(the) least heavy

Using adverbs of degree
These adverbs of degree can be used in front of comparative adjectives:
a bit, a good deal, a great deal, a little, a lot, much, rather, slightly, considerably.
Bananas are a bit better for you than apples.
There is a great deal more Vitamin C in a potato than in rice.

These adverbs of degree can be used in front of superlative adjectives: by far, easily
Chocolate is by far the nicest thing to eat!


These activities practise this Grammar: