There are three forms of comparison:

- positive
- comparative
- superlative

A - Comparison with -er/-est

clean - cleaner - (the) cleanest
We use -er/-est with the following adjectives:

1) adjectives with one syllable

clean
new
cheap

cleaner cleanest
newer newest
cheaper cheapest

2) adjectives with two syllables and the following endings:

2 - 1) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -y
dirty
easy
happy
pretty

dirtier
easier
happier
prettier

dirtiest
easiest
happiest
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
big
sad
dirty

larger
bigger
sadder
dirtier

largest
biggest
saddest
dirtiest

shy

shyer

shyest

leave out the silent -e

Double the consonant after short vowel
Change -y to -i (consonant before -y)
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
bad
much
many
little
little

better
worse
more
more
less
smaller

best
worst
most
uncountable nouns
most
countable nouns
least
smallest

D - Special adjectives
Some ajdectives have two possible forms of comparison.
common
likely
pleasant
polite

commoner / more common

likelier / more likely
pleasanter / more pleasant
politer / more polite

commonest / most common

likeliest / most likely
pleasantest / most pleasant
politest / most polite

simple
stupid
subtle
sure

simpler / more simple

stupider / more stupid
subtler / more subtle
surer / more sure

simplest / most simple

stupidest / most stupid
subtlest
surest / most sure

Difference in meaning with adjectives:

farther
far

further

later
late latter
x
older
old
elder
nearer
near
x

farthest distance
distance or
furthest
time
latest
x
last
oldest people and things
eldest people (family)
nearest distance
next
order