Comparatives

and
superlatives

Introduction
Positive comparison: More / -er
My problem is more important than your problem
My problem is easier to solve than your problem

Positive superlative: The most / -est

My problem is the most important thing
My problem is the easiest to solve

Negative comparison: Less

My problem is less important than yours
My problem is less easy to solve than yours

Negative superlative: The least

My problem is the least important thing
My problem is the least easy to solve

When to use them

The only tricky thing about comparatives
and superlatives is the distinction between
the first group (more & most) and the
second group (er & est)
As you read in the previous slide, we form
negative comparatives and superlatives by
adding less and the least to the
adjetives

More & most or er & est

We use er/est with 1-syllable adjectives
Cold -> Colder, coldest
Big -> Bigger, biggest
Other adjectives: Hot, fast. small, tall, high, short, nice, soft,
strange
We also use sufixes with adjectives ending in y
Funny -> Funnier, funniest Easy -> Easier, easiest
Other adjectives: ugly, hungry, angry, happy, silly, lucky,
lazy
Exceptions: These adjectives also take prefixes:
Handsome , Clever, Narrow, simple

More & most or er & est

We use more & most with adjectives of 2 or more
syllables, unless they end in y
This is the most important thing to remember
We always use more & most with adverbs
Could you please drive more slowly?
Some adjectives can take either form:
Gentle -> Gentler, gentlest / more gentle, most gentle
Friendly -> Friendlier, friendliest / More friendly, most friendly
Common -> Commoner, commonest / More common, most
common

Irregular adjectives
Good Better - Best
Bad Worse - Worst
Far Farther - Farthest (place)
Far - Further Furthest (place or time)
Old Older Oldest (general)
Old Elder Eldest (family members)
I have
I have
I have
I have
you

little sugar -> I have less sugar than you

much sugar -> I have more sugar than you
few friends -> I have fewer friends than you
many friends -> I have more friends than