Comparative Rules Superlative Rules

short adjectives (1 syllable) Add -ER at the end Add -EST at the end
Add THE before the word

long adjectives (3+ Add MORE before the word Add THE MOST before the
syllables) word

dangerous
-> the most dangerous

short adjective and Double the last consonant and Double the last consonant and
it’s C-V-C then add -ER then add –EST
(consonant-vowel- Add THE before the word
consonant)

2-syllable words that ends Friendly -> Friendl -> Friendly

with Y Friendlier -> The Friendliest

Lovely -> Lovel -> Lovelier Lovely

-> The Loveliest

2-syllable words that don’t 2 CORRECT ways for 2 CORRECT ways for
end with Y: comparative of these words, comparative of these words,

but we use the more preferred but we use the more preferred
way in American English: way in American English:
Modern
more modern (Am) the most modern (Am)
Quiet more quiet (Am) the most quiet (Am)
more careful
Careful more careless
Careless

Recognize (American English spelling) = Recognise (British English Spelling)

 I am a careful driver.
adj N
Mary is a more careful driver than me. (comparative of adjective)
adj N
Mary is the most careful driver in my class. (superlative of adjective in …….)
adj N in + singular Noun (in the USA)
Mary is the most careful driver of my friends. (superlative of adjective of ……)
adj N of + plural Noun
He is the tallest and the youngest of the team/family.

Carol’s car is the most expensive in all.

Carol’s car is the most expensive of all. (all = many people = plural Noun)

I drive carefully.
V Adverb
Mary drives more carefully than me.
V comparative of Adverb
Mary drives the most carefully in my class.
V superlative of Adverb in ……. (in + singular Noun)
Mary drives the most carefully of my friends.
V superlative of Adverb of …… (of + plural Noun)