Engleski jezik 1:

Grammatical constructions used for comparing adjectives

There are three forms of comparison:

 positive
 comparative
 superlative

1. Comparison with -er/-est
clean → cleaner → (the) cleanest

We use -er/-est with the following adjectives:

1.1. Adjectives with one syllable

clean – cleaner – cleanest

new – newer – newest
cheap – cheaper – cheapest

1.2. Adjectives with two syllables and the following endings:

1.2.1. Adjectives with two syllables, ending in –y

Dirty – dirtier – dirtiest

Easy – easier – easiest
Happy – happier – happiest
Pretty – prettier – prettiest

1.2.2. Adjectives with two syllables, ending in –er

Clever – cleverer – cleverest

Obscure – obscurer – obscurest

1.2.3. Adjectives with two syllables, ending in –le

Simple – simpler – simplest

1.2.4. Adjectives with two syllables, ending in –ow

Narrow – narrower – narrowest

1.3. Spelling of the adjectives using the endings -er/-est

 Leaving out the silent –e: large – larger – largest

 Doubling the consonant after short vowel: sad – sadder – saddest
 Change -y to –i: dirty – dirtier – dirtiest
 But> shy – shyer – shyest

2. Comparison with more – most

all adjectives with more than one syllable

difficult – more difficult – most difficult

3. Irregular adjectives

good – better – best

bad – worse – worst
 many – more – most
much – more – most
little – less – least
little – smaller – smallest

4. Special adjectives
Some adjectives have two possible forms of comparison (-er/est and more/most).

clever, common, likely, pleasant, polite, quiet, simple, stupid, subtle, sure

5. Difference in meaning with adjectives

positiv comparative superlativ comment

e e

far farther farthest distance

further furthest distance or time

old older oldest people and things

elder eldest people (family)

near nearer nearest distance

x next order

6. Comparatives and superlatives of inferiority

easy – less easy – least easy

big – less big – least big
difficult – less difficult – least difficult

7. Sentences with comparison

a. Comparative and superlative modifiers

much, far, a lot, a bit, a little, etc

b. Equality, similarity

(just) as + positive + as: Being a nurse is as interesting as being a doctor.

not + as + positive + as: Being a nurse is NOT as interesting as being a doctor.
never + such + NP with positive + as: I have never been to such a good party as this one.

c. Comparative clause

He is better than you. He is better than you will ever be.

d. Progressive/Regressive qualities

The car was getting faster and faster. Jim started feeling more and more tired.
He started driving less and less fast.

e. the + comparative – the + comparative

The faster you drive, the more petrol you use.

The more he studied, the more confused he would get.

f. Expressions with best

This is the best I can do.
I tried my best.
May the best man win.