Comparing and contrasting

Comparatives and superlatives in English

Language function.

The language of comparison and contrast is

frequently needed when studying statistical
information or evaluating options.
It enables you to say when things are different
or the same.
Forms of comparatives & superlatives

The regular comparative and superlative of

adjectives and adverbs are formed as follows:

 Type 1. For words of one syllable add the endings

-er for comparables and -est for superlatives.

 Type 2. Words of three or more syllables are

preceded by the words more and the most or less
and the least (for negative comparisons).
Basic types of comparative and superlative

word Adjective or Comparative Superlative

adverb
length
one syllable long longer the longest
Type 1
soon sooner the soonest

three or more dangerous more the most dangerous

Type 2 syllables dangerous
easily the most easily
interesting more easily the least interesting
less interesting
Two syllable words
Words with two syllables can be type 1 or type 2.

Generally, adjectives ending in -y or -ly are type 1 (add –er or -

est)
happy - happier - the happiest
friendly - friendlier - the friendliest
easy - easier - the easiest

Adverbs ending in -ly are type 2 (more/the most or less/the least)

quickly - more quickly - the most quickly
slowly - more slowly - the most slowly

Most of the remaining two syllable words are type 2

famous - more famous - the most famous
honest - more honest - the most honest
Irregular adjectives

good better the best

There is a small group
of frequently used bad worse the worst
adjectives which are
irregular:
far farther or the
further farthest
or the
furthest
Showing equivalence – as……as

When there's no difference between two things, use the form:

as….. (+ adjective or adverb)…as
Examples:
 Ruth is as tall as Richard = they are both the same height.
 John works as quickly as Jane.

When there’s no difference in quantity, use: as …(many/much)…as

Examples:
 There are as many students in Mr Jones' class as in Mr Smith's
class = the number of students is the same
 It takes as much time to get to the airport as the railway station =
the journey time is the same