Comparatives and Superlatives: Definition, Examples and Exercises | albert.io (2023)

Comparatives and superlatives are special types of adjectives used whencompare two or more things. The hardest part about using comparatives and superlatives is making sure you're spelling them correctly, but with a little practice, comparatives and superlatives can be mastered in no time.

In this post, we'll look at what comparatives and superlatives are, the rules for forming these adjectives correctly, and how to use them effectively in a sentence.

After reviewing the information below,test yourself with a post-assessment quizePractice here with our high-quality, standards-aligned questions.

Basics of comparatives and superlatives

What is a comparative?

Comparativeare words used to describe a noun by comparing it to another noun. We tend to thinkIt is' Words likelargeIt isorkleinIt is, but they can be a bit more complicated.

The way we form comparative adjectives is based on the number of syllables in the adjective and whether the adjective ends in the letter "y" or not.

What is a superlative?

adjectives in the superlativeare words used to describe a noun by comparing it to two or more nouns in the highest or lowest degree. Do you think: big, bigger,the biggest, or small, small,kleiner.

As with comparative adjectives, adding “est” is not always easy. The number of syllables and whether or not the adjective ends in the letter "y" also helps us determine how to form an adjective in the superlative.

monosyllabic adjectives

Let's look at a graph that shows thiscomparativeeSuperlativeWord forms for the most basic monosyllabic adjectives, where we 'It is' for thecomparativee'Leste' for theSuperlative.*Monitoring: When the adjective follows the CVC or the spelling consonant, vowel, consonant, the last consonant is doubled.

Comparatives:

• I amMore quicklyas my friend.
• Arizona isheisserlike Alaska.

Adjectives in the superlative:

• she is the onehigherStudent.
• That was theshorterserial film.

Note the other words around the comparative and superlative adjectives.most comparisonsfollowed by 'Was', zmost superlativesfollow the wordÖ’.

two-syllable adjectives

Now let's look at a graph showing thecomparativeeSuperlativeWord forms for adjectives with two syllables.Comparativewith two syllables can be formed by adding the 'It is'Endoradding the words 'more' or 'not less' before the adjective.

Foradjectives in the superlative, you do that 'Leste' ends, but use the word 'majority' or 'at least' instead of 'more' or 'less'.

*Monitoring: In many cases, any form of comparative or superlative can be used, but there is usually a more "common" usage. Also, the adjective doesn't have to end in 'y' to use 'er' or 'est', as the last example in the table shows. Your ear will usually be able to tell what sounds best.

Comparatives:

• she tends toless passiveas your brother.
• This questionnaire iseasierthan the last.

Adjectives in the superlative:

• Autumn is theBusiestshopping season.
• this is thatMore quicklyType of delivery.

Notice again how thatcomparative adjectivesfollowed by 'Was', zadjectives in the superlativefollow the wordÖ’.

Adjectives with three or more syllables

The graphic below shows thecomparativeeSuperlativeWord forms for adjectives with three or more syllables. In such cases we always add 'more' or 'not less' Beforecomparative adjectivee'majority' or 'at least' Beforesuperlatives Adjective.

Comparatives:

• I tend torather shythan my friends when I try new things.
• The noise in the pool wasless hasslethan the noise on the beach.

Adjectives in the superlative:

• His second compilation was themost extraordinaryfrom all.
• those were themless convenientSofas I've sat on.

Irregular adjectives

when usingcomparativeeSuperlativeAdjectives, it's important to note that there are a handful of themIrregular adjectiveswho do not follow the above rules. The table below shows these irregular adjectives along with their comparative and superlative forms.

Comparatives:

• I didimprovethan the rest of my class in the finals.
• she ranmorein this race as the last.

Adjectives in the superlative:

• That was thebetterbirthday present ever!
• I bought thoseat leastexpensive souvenir I could find.

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2 tips for recognizing and using comparative and superlative adjectives

Tip #1: Rearrange your sentence to use different forms of the adjective

We can use different forms of the adjective if we adapt our sentence to the adjective.

Here are some examples we use for monosyllabic adjectives:

Comparative example:

• I ranMore quicklyas my friend.

Now let's rearrange the sentence so that we can use thatSuperlativeAdjective form.

• Between my friend and I, I ran thisthe fastest.

Here two people are compared; However, if we restrict the nouns to be compared, we can use thatSuperlativeadjective form. Note that this sentence follows the othersSuperlativecharacteristic of the use of the word 'Ö' before the adjective.

Superlative example:

• That was theshorterserial film.

Now let's rearrange the sentence so that we can use thatcomparativeAdjective form.

• that wasshorterthan any other film in the series.

It's still comparing two or more movies here, and we're still describing it to the slightest degree. adding 'any others' before 'series film', we can use thatcomparativeadjective form. Note that this sentence now follows the others as wellcomparativecharacteristic of the use of the word 'Was' after the adjective.

Tip #2: Think about your spelling rules before forming the comparative or superlative form of the adjective

Whenever we change the ending of a word, we have to consider how the word is usually spelled.

If the adjective already ends in an 'e', ​​just add 'R' for thecomparativee'st' for theSuperlative.

• Largobecomeswiderorwider.
• Bravebecomesbraverorbraver.

When the adjective ends in consonant + short vowel + consonant (CVC), we usually double the last consonant.

• LargebecomesGreaterorThe biggest.
• Warmbecomesheisserorheisser.

If the adjective ends in a "y", we change the "y" to and "i".

• EarlybecomesEarlierorolder.
• nonsensebecomesAlbaniansorAlbanians.

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Applying the Basics: Review and Practice of Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

Now that you understandWasComparatives and superlatives are, andifTo use them correctly in a sentence, we practice identifying them and checking for correct use.

Remember that comparative adjectives describe a noun by comparing it to another noun. Superlative adjectives describe a noun by comparing it to two or more nouns in the highest or lowest degree.

Exercises and repetition of comparative adjectives

Complete the following short exercise to assess your mastery of comparative adjectives.

In the following sentences, select the option that indicates exactly thatcomparativeadjective form. Remember that a comparative adjective describes a noun by comparing it to another noun.

1. Lucas is (older/older) than Lily.

• older

2. Alaska is (colder/colder) than Florida.

• colder

3. I am (more worried/concerned) about this exam than the previous one.

• more concerned

4. This map is (more confusing/confusing) than my calculus homework.

• more confused

5. I ran (further/further) than my best friend yesterday.

• More

Exercises and repetition of superlative adjectives

Complete the following short exercise to assess your mastery of superlative adjectives.

In the following sentences, select the option that indicates exactly thatSuperlativeadjective form. Remember that a superlative adjective describes a noun by comparing it to two or more nouns in the highest or lowest degree.

1. Playing games with your family is the (funniest/funniest) way to pass the time when you're stuck at home.

• Lustig

2. My brother is the (most annoying) person to have around when you're looking for quiet.

• most annoying

3. We hope to go to the (prettiest/most beautiful) tropical island as soon as possible.

• prettier

4. Reading a good book is the (lowest/lowest) way to relax.

• slower

5. Multitasking is the (least efficient/least efficient) method of productivity.

• less efficient

Comparative and superlative exercises

Use your knowledge of bothcomparativeeadjectives in the superlativein the exercise below.

Identify thecomparativeeSuperlativeadjectives in the following sentences. There can be more than one in a sentence. Be sure to indicate which are comparative and which are superlatives.

1. I did the less complicated homework before I started the more difficult work.

• Comparison: more demanding
• Superlative: less complicated

2. She is taller than the other girls in her class, but she is not the tallest student in her class.

• Comparison: larger
• Superlative: highest

3. I find that direct instruction is the most direct way to learn new material.

• Superlative: more direct

4. I believe that the most obvious answer is correct most of the time.

• Comparison: most common
• Superlative: more obvious

5. First place in the finals was the most rewarding achievement after a section performance that was more difficult than expected.

• Comparison: heavier
• Superlative: most rewarding

You can find more exercises in thecomparative and superlativeContent about Albert.

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Try it yourself: comparative and superlative adjective test

Do you feel confident in your understanding of comparative and superlative adjectives?

Take this short quiz to see what you learned:

1. Do comparative or superlative adjectives show the highest degree of quality?

• Answer: superlative adjectives
• Correct explanation: Correct!adjectives in the superlativedescribes a noun by comparing it to two or more nouns in the highest or lowest degree.ComparativeDescribe a noun by comparing it to another noun.
• Wrong explanation: sorry, not right. Remember,ComparativeDescribe a noun by comparing it to another noun.adjectives in the superlativeDescribe a noun by comparing it to two or more nouns of the highest or lowest degree.

2. Do comparative or superlative adjectives sometimes use the additional modifier "more"?

• Answer: Comparative adjectives
• Correct explanation: Correct! SinceComparativedo not describe a noun by comparing it with two or more nouns in the highest or lowest degree, they can use modifiers like "more".
• Wrong explanation: sorry, not right. Remember,adjectives in the superlativedescribe a noun by comparing it to two or more nouns in the highest or lowest degree, so they would use modifiers like "most" or "least".Comparativedo not describe a noun by comparing it with two or more nouns in the highest or lowest degree, they can use modifiers like "more".

3. Does the following sentence use a comparative or superlative adjective?

Chicagoans generally agree that deep dish pizza is better than thin crust pizza.

• Answer: Comparative adjective
• Correct explanation: Correct! In this sentence, deep dish pizza is compared to thin crust pizza. The word "better" is acomparative adjectivesince you are comparing one type of pizza to another.
• Wrong explanation: sorry, not right. Remember,adjectives in the superlativedescribes a noun by comparing it to two or more nouns in the highest or lowest degree. In this sentence, deep dish pizza is compared to thin crust pizza. The word "better" is acomparative adjectivesince you are comparing one type of pizza to another.

4. Is the underlined part of the sentence below a comparative or superlative adjective?

The tree in front of my house is thathigherneighborhood tree.

• Answer: superlative adjective
• Correct explanation: Correct!adjectives in the superlativedescribes a noun by comparing it to two or more nouns in the highest or lowest degree. The word "tallest" describes the tree tallest compared to other trees in the area.
• Wrong explanation: sorry, not right. remember, rememberComparativeDescribe a noun by comparing it to another noun.adjectives in the superlativedescribes a noun by comparing it to two or more nouns in the highest or lowest degree. The word "tallest" describes the tree tallest compared to other trees in the area.

5. In which of the following sentences is a comparative adjective used correctly?

A. I thought your portion was bigger than mine.

B. I thought your portion was bigger than mine.

• Answer:B
• Correct explanation: Correct!Comparativethey usually end with the letters "er" because they describe a comparison with another noun.
• Wrong explanation: sorry, not right.adjectives in the superlativethey usually end with the letters "est" because they describe a comparison with two or more nouns in the highest or lowest degree. Also, superlative adjectives are not usually followed by the word "as".Comparativethey usually end with the letters "er" because they describe a comparison with another noun.

6. In which of the following sentences is an adjective used correctly in the superlative?

A. That was the least memorable movie I've seen in a long time.

B. That was the least memorable movie I've seen in a long time.

• Answer: A
• Correct explanation: Correct!adjectives in the superlativewith three syllables, use the words "less" or "more" because they describe a comparison with two or more nouns in the highest or lowest degree.
• Wrong explanation: sorry, not right.Comparativewith three syllables they use the words "more" or "less" because they describe a comparison with another noun.adjectives in the superlativewith three syllables, use the words "less" or "more" because they describe a comparison with two or more nouns in the highest or lowest degree.

You can find more exercises with adjectives in the comparative and superlative in our exercise on Albert.io:comparative and superlative.

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Teacher's room for comparatives and superlatives

While it's true that comparative and superlative adjectives are a basic grammar skill, the Table of Common Progressive Core Competences in the English Languageshows that even elementary skills "require continued attention in the higher grades as they are applied to increasingly sophisticated writing and speaking".

For certain patternsFor comparative and superlative adjectives, see the Common Core State Standards website!

tun Albertcomparative and superlativeExercise can be used for much more than homework!

Ourassessmentscan be used as pre and post tests to measure student progress. Our pre-made quizzes can be used as doorbells, exit cards and much more!

In addition to our pre-built tests, you can also use our assignments feature to create your own tests and tests.

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Summary on comparative adjectives and superlative adjectives

Acomparative adjectiveis a word that describes a noun by comparing it to another noun. Comparative adjectives usually end in "er" and are followed by the word "than".

Asuperlatives Adjectiveis a word that describes a noun by comparing it to two or more nouns in the highest or lowest degree. Superlative adjectives usually end in "est" and are preceded by the word "the".

Comparative and superlative adjectives are words we often see and use in our writing. Be sure to structure your comparative and superlative adjectives according to the number of syllables in the adjective.

Practice leads to perfection! Use ourscomparative and superlativePractice with AlbertGrammar course!

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