How to Use Comparatives and Superlatives (With Examples)

Comparatives and superlatives can be a confusing part of grammar, particularly for ESL writers. In this guide, we talk you through the rules for forming comparative and superlative adjectives, and what to look out for when proofreading them.

What Are Comparatives and Superlatives?

Comparatives and superlatives are both types of adjectives. Comparative adjectives are words that describe something in relation to something else – they compare things or show that something has changed. They’re often paired with the word “than.”

She is faster.

He is slower.

This flower is prettier than that one.

The kitten is bigger now.

Superlative adjectives, on the other hand, are words that describe the extremes of something. They’re often preceded by “the,” although this isn’t always the case.

She is the fastest.

He is the slowest.

This flower is the prettiest of them all.

The kitten is the biggest it’s ever been.

Comparative Forms

To form a comparative with a single-syllable adjective (and some two-syllable adjectives), the suffix “-er” is usually added:

Fast → Faster

Slow → Slower

If the adjective ends in “-e,” however, the suffix becomes “-r” to avoid repetition:

Wide → Wider

Nice → Nicer

If the adjective ends in a vowel followed by a consonant, the consonant is sometimes doubled, and the suffix “-er” is added:

Wet → Wetter

Red → Redder

And if the adjective ends in “-y,” the “y” is removed and replaced with the suffix “-ier”:

Pretty → Prettier

Smelly → Smellier

But if the adjective in a comparative has multiple syllables, we follow a different set of rules. For some two-syllable adjectives and all adjectives with three or more syllables, the adjective remains the same, but it’s preceded by “more”:

Complex → More complex

Fascinating → More fascinating

For other two-syllable adjectives, it’s acceptable to use either “-er” or “more”:

Gentle → Gentler / More gentle

Likely → Likelier / More likely

Superlative Forms

Superlative forms follow similar rules to comparative adjectives, but with the suffix “-est”:

Fast → Faster → Fastest

Wide → Wider → Widest

Wet → Wetter → Wettest

Pretty → Prettier → Prettiest

And when it comes to adjectives with multiple syllables, the adjective is preceded by the word “most”:

Complex → More complex → Most complex

And just like with comparative forms, some two-syllable superlative adjectives can be written in either form:

Gentle → Gentlest / Most gentle

Irregular Comparatives and Superlatives

If all that wasn’t confusing enough, many common adjectives have irregular comparative and superlative forms. The words “good” and “bad” are two notorious examples:

Good → Gooder → Goodest ✘

Good → More good → Most good ✘

Good → Better → Best ✔

Bad → Badder → Baddest ✘

Bad → More bad → Most bad ✘

Bad → Worse → Worst ✔

For words like these, often, it just takes practice and familiarity with English to help you spot when errors are made.

Errors to Look Out For

With so many intricate rules, it’s no wonder comparatives and superlatives trip people up. Here are the most common comparative and superlative errors to look out for when proofreading:

• Using a comparative in place of a superlative and vice versa:

It’s sunniest than yesterday. ✘

It’s sunnier than yesterday. ✔

• Applying regular comparative or superlative rules to irregular adjectives:

It’s more far than I thought. ✘

It’s farther than I thought. ✔

• Using a comparative in place of a superlative in a group of three or more items:

Out of Eliza, Jodie, and Will, Jodie was taller. ✘

Out of Eliza, Jodie, and Will, Jodie was the tallest. ✔

Pay close attention to comparatives and superlatives when proofreading, and if you’re not sure about the correct form of an adjective, you can always look it up in a dictionary or other reliable resource.

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