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Table of contents

Introduction

Comparatives

Superlatives

Irregular forms

Introduction

Comparatives and superlatives are forms of adjectives and adverbs used to compare differences between objects, people, or actions. We use comparatives to compare two persons, objects, or animals. We use superlatives when more than two persons, objects, or animals are being compared. This is to highlight who or what has the highest degree of quality within the group being compared.

Comparatives

Comparatives are often formed by adding -er to the end of the adjective/adverb, or by using more before the adjective/adverb.

Noun (subject) + verb + comparative adjective + than + noun (object).

  1. Tom is taller than Jack.
  2. Light travels faster than sound.
  3. Today is hotter than yesterday.
  4. Metals conduct heat better than wood.
  5. The sun is bigger than the Earth.

Superlatives

Superlatives are often formed by adding -est to the end of the adjective/adverb, or by using most before the adjective/adverb.

  1. Tom is the tallest in the class.
  2. What is the largest country in South America?
  3. I was the smartest student in my class.
  4. That was the best movie I’ve seen this year.
  5. He is the kindest person in our neighbourhood.
  6. Antarctica is the coldest place on Earth.
  7. This is the oldest building in the city.
  8. The Sahara is the hottest desert in the world.

Irregular forms

A small number of adjectives do not follow the regular -er/-est forms to make comparatives and superlatives (e.g., good, better, best; bad, worse, worst). The table below illustrates some common English adjectives and their comparative and superlative forms, along with example sentences.

 

Comparative and superlative adjectives with example sentences
Adjective Comparative Superlative Example
good better the best
  1. She is better at chess than her brother.
  2. He is the best player on the team.
bad worse the worst
  1. The sequel was worse than the original movie.
  2. That was the worst meal I’ve ever had.
far farther/further the farthest/furthest
  1. We walked farther than we planned.
  2. This is the furthest I’ve ever been from home.
little less the least
  1. There is less sugar in this recipe than in the last one.
  2. Of all the candidates, he has the least experience.
many/much more the most
  1. There are more apples in this basket than in that one.
  2. She has the most stickers in the class.
old older/elder the oldest/eldest
  1. My older sister is wiser than my younger brother.
  2. He is the oldest member of the club.
safe safer the safest
  1. Traveling by train is safer than travelling by car.
  2. Staying indoors during a storm is the safest option.
quick quicker the quickest
  1. His response was quicker than expected.
  2. Email is the quickest way to reach her.
slow slower the slowest
  1. This computer is slower than my old one.
  2. This is the slowest line at the supermarket.
weak weaker the weakest
  1. Her handshake was weaker than I remembered.
  2. This is the weakest coffee I've ever tasted.
strong stronger the strongest
  1. The coffee was stronger than she wanted it to be.
  2. This material is the strongest they offer.
young younger the youngest
  1. My younger brother is taller than me.
  2. She is the youngest person in the company.
old older the oldest
  1. This tradition is older than we thought.
  2. This is the oldest tree in the forest.
bright brighter the brightest
  1. The moon is brighter tonight.
  2. He is the brightest student in the class.
dark darker the darkest
  1. The room gets darker when the sun sets.
  2. This shade of blue is the darkest available.
small smaller the smallest
  1. This apartment is smaller than the last one.
  2. She chose the smallest puppy of the litter.
large larger the largest
  1. We need a larger house for the family.
  2. It’s the largest museum in the city.
hot hotter the hottest
  1. Today is hotter than yesterday.
  2. Last summer was the hottest on record.
cold colder the coldest
  1. The water feels colder in the morning.
  2. Where is the coldest place on Earth?
loud louder the loudest
  1. The music was louder than usual last night.
  2. She has the loudest laugh I’ve ever heard.
quiet quieter the quietest
  1. This room is quieter than the one upstairs.
  2. Early mornings are the quietest times in the city.
hard harder the hardest
  1. The quiz today was harder than the last one.
  2. That was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make.
easy easier the easiest
  1. It's easier to learn with visual aids.
  2. This is the easiest recipe for beginners.
narrow narrower the narrowest
  1. This path is narrower than the main road.
  2. This alley is the narrowest in the whole town.
broad broader the broadest
  1. His interests have become broader over the years.
  2. The river is widest at the broadest point near the bridge.
deep deeper the deepest
  1. The ocean gets deeper a few miles from shore.
  2. The Mariana Trench is the deepest part of the world’s oceans.
shallow shallower the shallowest
  1. The water becomes shallower near the beach.
  2. The kiddie pool is the shallowest in the water park.
high higher the highest
  1. Prices are higher during the holiday season.
  2. The mountain peak is the highest point in the region.
low lower the lowest
  1. Temperatures are lower at night.
  2. The valley is the lowest point in the area.
nice nicer the nicest
  1. This hotel is nicer than the one we stayed in last time.
  2. She is the nicest person I've ever met.
simple simpler the simplest
  1. The instructions should be simpler for everyone to understand.
  2. This is the simplest solution to the problem.
thin thinner the thinnest
  1. This phone model is thinner than the previous one.
  2. This ice sheet is the thinnest we've recorded in years.
fat fatter the fattest
  1. The cat has gotten fatter since we last saw her.
  2. He won the contest for the fattest pumpkin in the county.
beautiful more beautiful the most beautiful
  1. The view from the hill is more beautiful than from the ground.
  2. This painting is the most beautiful one in the gallery.
complex more complex the most complex
  1. The problem seems more complex than we initially thought.
  2. This is the most complex equation in the textbook.
difficult more difficult the most difficult
  1. As the course progresses, the tests become more difficult.
  2. Choosing a favourite was the most difficult decision.
expensive more expensive the most expensive
  1. Luxury cars are more expensive than standard models.
  2. This is the most expensive piece of jewellery in the store.
comfortable more comfortable the most comfortable
  1. This chair is more comfortable than the one in my office.
  2. These are the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn.
interesting more interesting the most interesting
  1. The second book was more interesting than the first one.
  2. This is the most interesting case I’ve ever worked on.
intelligent more intelligent the most intelligent
  1. Dolphins are more intelligent than many other animals.
  2. She is the most intelligent student in our class.
dangerous more dangerous the most dangerous
  1. Climbing without proper gear is more dangerous than with it.
  2. This is the most dangerous road in the country.
popular more popular the most popular
  1. Streaming services are becoming more popular than cable TV.
  2. This is the most popular song on the charts this week.
sophisticated more sophisticated the most sophisticated
  1. Today’s smartphones are more sophisticated than earlier models.
  2. This security system is the most sophisticated on the market.
creative more creative the most creative
  1. Brainstorming sessions are more creative in the morning.
  2. Her solution to the problem was the most creative.
efficient more efficient the most efficient
  1. LED bulbs are more efficient than fluorescent lights.
  2. This machine is the most efficient in energy consumption.
effective more effective the most effective
  1. Practicing every day is more effective than cramming.
  2. This medicine is the most effective for treating malaria.
flexible more flexible the most flexible
  1. Yoga makes your body more flexible than before.
  2. This material is the most flexible for our needs.
reliable more reliable the most reliable
  1. Public transportation is more reliable in this city than in others.
  2. She is the most reliable member of our team.
accessible more accessible the most accessible
  1. Online courses are more accessible than traditional classes.
  2. This park is the most accessible for people with disabilities.
enjoyable more enjoyable the most enjoyable
  1. Travelling with friends is more enjoyable than going alone.
  2. That vacation was the most enjoyable I've ever had.
favorable more favorable the most favorable
  1. The weather is more favourable for a hike today than yesterday.
  2. This contract offers the most favourable terms.
peaceful more peaceful the most peaceful
  1. The countryside is more peaceful than the city.
  2. This spot by the lake is the most peaceful place I know.
respectful more respectful the most respectful
  1. Being more respectful in conversation can improve relationships.
  2. She is the most respectful student in class.
suitable more suitable the most suitable
  1. This bicycle is more suitable for teenagers.
  2. Of all the applicants, he is the most suitable for the job.
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