Comparatives

When do we use comparatives and superlatives?

1. We use comparatives (er) to compare two things:
Elephants are bigger than lions.

ð Remember: Use than with comparatives.
ð Remember: You can't use very with comparatives, you have to use much:
A cat is much stronger than a rat.

2. We use superlatives (est) to describe three or more things:
Elephants are the biggest animals in Africa.

ð Remember: Use the before superlatives.
ð Remember: After superlatives, use in for places:
Everest is the highest mountain in the world.

How do we make comparatives and superlatives?

1. With short adjectives, add -er, or -est:

short shorter the shortest
nice nicer the nicest
big bigger the biggest

2. With adjectives that end in y, change the y to ier or iest:

happy happier the happiest

3. With long adjectives use more or the most:

expensive more expensive the most expensive

4. Three adjectives are different:

good better the best
bad worse the worst
far further the furthest