Comparatives and Superlatives ESL

Comparatives and Superlatives

Part 1

Comparatives and Superlatives

We use comparatives and superlatives to talk about the characteristics of two or more things and contrast them, signaling an important difference between (or among) them.

Comparatives

Are used to note differences mainly between two items; things, animals or persons. There are some main rules that need to be followed to change the adjectives to their comparative form.

For adjectives with one syllable ending in a consonant: We add -er at the end of the word.

For adjectives with two syllables ending in “Y”: We change the “y” for and “i” and add -er at the end of the word.

For adjectives with one syllable ending in a consonant after a short vowel: We double the consonant.

For adjectives with more than two syllables: We add “more” in front of the adjective.

Irregular Adjectives

These adjectives have comparative form that is very different from the original word. In the chart you can see on the left, the adjective and n the right their corresponding comparative form.

Expressing comparison in sentences

When we compare to a higher level we use the structures:

ADJECTIVE + THAN for one syllable adjectives

For example:

1. Mike is funnier than Isaac.

2. Anna is taller than Mary.

3. Rabbits are faster than turtles.

Expressing comparison in sentences

When we compare to a higher level we use the structures:

MORE + ADJECTIVE + THAN for two or more syllables

For example:

1. Some countries is more interesting than other.

2. Pedro is more athletic than Francisco.

3. Flowers are more beautiful than trees.

Exercises

Fill the blank with the appropriate form of the adjective.

Choose the comparative form of the following words.

Multiple Choice

HAPPY

• more happy

• happier

• better happy

• happi

Multiple Choice

EXPENSIVE

• most expensier

• expensier

• more expensive

• expense

Multiple Choice

BAD

• worse

• badder

• morse

• bast

Multiple Choice

GREAT

• OK

• awesome

• greater

• good

Multiple Choice

GOOD

• gooder

• bester

• better

• more good

Write comparative sentences with the word in the following exercises.