Comparative & Superlative

When we compare things, we change adjectives to show which is more or which is the most. These special forms are called comparatives and superlatives.

What You'll Learn

• How to add -er to adjectives to compare two things
• How to add -est to adjectives to compare three or more things
• When to use -er and -est with common short adjectives

When to Use

1. Comparing two things: "My brother is taller than me."
2. Comparing three or more things: "She is the tallest girl in class."
3. Saying something has the most of a quality: "This is the biggest cake of all."

How to Form

Adding -er (Comparative) and -est (Superlative)

Doubling the Last Letter

Some short adjectives end with one vowel + one consonant. You must double the last letter before adding -er or -est.

Key Rules

1. Add -er for two, -est for all: Use -er when you compare one thing with another. "A bus is bigger than a car." Use -est when something is the most of all. "The whale is the biggest animal."
2. Always use "than" with -er words: "Tom is taller than Sam." Do not forget the word "than".
3. Always use "the" before -est words: "She is the tallest in the class." The -est form needs "the" in front.
4. Double the last letter for short vowel words: If a word ends in one vowel + one consonant, double the last letter. Big becomes bigger, not biger.

Common Mistakes

Clue Words

Comparative clues (use -er)

than, compared to, between the two

Superlative clues (use -est)

the, of all, in the class, in the world, in the family

Tip: If you see the word "than", you need the -er form. If you see "the _ of all" or "the _ in the class", you need the -est form!

Practice Tips

1. Look for "than": When you spot "than" in a sentence, you know you need the -er form. "The MRT is fast___ than the bus." The answer is "faster".
2. Look for "the" and "of all" or "in the": These tell you to use the -est form. "He is the tall___ boy in school." The answer is "tallest".
3. Check the last letter: Before adding -er or -est, look at how the word ends. If it is a short word like "big" (one vowel + one consonant), double the last letter first.

Quick Reference