Form the comparative and superlative forms of a one-syllable adjective by adding –er for the comparative form and –est for the superlative.
One-Syllable Adjective | Comparative Form | Superlative Form |
---|---|---|
tall | taller | tallest |
old | older | oldest |
long | longer | longest |
If the one-syllable adjective ends with an e, just add –r for the comparative form and –st for the superlative form.
One-Syllable Adjective with Final -e | Comparative Form | Superlative Form |
---|---|---|
large | larger | largest |
wise | wiser | wisest |
If the one-syllable adjective ends with a single consonant with a vowel before it, double the consonant and add –er for the comparative form; and double the consonant and add –est for the superlative form.
One-Syllable Adjective Ending with a Single Consonant with a Single Vowel before It | Comparative Form | Superlative Form |
---|---|---|
big | bigger | biggest |
thin | thinner | thinnest |
fat | fatter | fattest |
With most two-syllable adjectives, you form the comparative with more and the superlative with most.
Two-Syllable Adjective | Comparative Form | Superlative Form |
---|---|---|
peaceful | more peaceful | most peaceful |
pleasant | more pleasant | most pleasant |
careful | more careful | most careful |
thoughtful | more thoughtful | most thoughtful |
If the two-syllable adjectives ends with –y, change the y to i and add –er for the comparative form. For the superlative form change the y to i and add –est.
Two-Syllable Adjective Ending with -y | Comparative Form | Superlative Form |
---|---|---|
happy | happier | happiest |
angry | angrier | angriest |
busy | busier | busiest |
Two-syllable adjectives ending in –er, -le, or –ow take –er and –est to form the comparative and superlative forms.
Two-Syllable Adjective Ending with -er, -le, or -ow | Comparative Form | Superlative Form |
---|---|---|
narrow | narrower | narrowest |
gentle | gentler | gentlest |
For adjectives with three syllables or more, you form the comparative with more and the superlative with most.
Adjective with Three or More Syllables | Comparative Form | Superlative Form |
---|---|---|
generous | more generous | most generous |
important | more important | most important |
intelligent | more intelligent | most intelligent |
Irregular adjectives.
Irregular Adjective | Comparative Form | Superlative Form |
---|---|---|
good | better | best |
bad | worse | worst |
far | farther | farthest |
little | less | least |
many | more | most |
Two-syllable adjectives that follow two rules. These adjectives can be used with -er and -est and with more and most.
Two-Syllable Adjective | Comparative Form | Superlative Form |
---|---|---|
clever | cleverer | cleverest |
clever | more clever | most clever |
gentle | gentler | gentlest |
gentle | more gentle | most gentle |
friendly | friendlier | friendliest |
friendly | more friendly | most friendly |
quiet | quieter | quietest |
quiet | more quiet | most quiet |
simple | simpler | simplest |
simple | more simple | most simple |
Directions: Choose the best answer. (10 problems)
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