Ammu is tall.

Job is taller than Ammu.

Mohan is the tallest of the three.

In the second sentence, the word ‘taller’ is the comparative form of the adjective. The comparative
form of the adjective denotes a higher degree of the adjective ‘tall’ when two people or things are
compared.

In the third sentence, the word ‘tallest’ is the superlative form of the adjective. The superlative form
of the adjective denotes the highest degree of the adjective ‘tall’ when more than two people or
things are compared.

Here are some simple rules to keep in mind when forming comparatives and superlatives.

RULE 1

For most adjectives, ‘er’ is added for the comparative form and ‘est’ for the superlative form. Tall –
Taller – Tallest

Strong – Stronger – Strongest

Short – Shorter – Shorter

Kind – Kinder - Kindest

RULE 2

For adjectives ending with ‘e’, ‘r’ is added for the comparative form and ‘st’ for the superlative form.
Wise – Wiser – Wisest

Large – Larger – Largest

Nice – Nicer – Nicest

Fine – Finer - Finest

RULE 3

For adjectives ending with ‘y’, ‘y’ is removed and ‘ier’ is added for comparative form and ‘iest’ for the
superlative form.

Lazy – Lazier – Laziest

Crazy – Crazier – Craziest

Wealthy – Wealthier – Wealthiest

Heavy – Heavier - Heaviest

RULE 4
Usually for longer adjectives, ‘more’ + adjective is used for comparative form and ‘most’ + adjective is
used for superlative form.

Handsome – More Handsome – Most Handsome

Beautiful – More Beautiful – Most Beautiful

Intelligent – More Intelligent – Most Intelligent

Difficult – More Difficult – Most Difficult

RULE 5

Irregular Adjectives: There are some irregular adjectives for which the comparative and superlative
form follow no particular rule.

Good – Better – Best

Bad – Worse – Worst

Many – More – Most

Little – Less - Least