Sunday 13 December 2009

Comparative and Superlative Adjectives, Basic Explanation + QUIZ!



When we are comparing two objects, we use the comparative form:

    Peter is taller than Paul.

When we are comparing between more than two objects, we use the superlative form:

    Jane is the tallest girl in class.

We form the comparative by adding '-er', and the superlative by adding '-est' to the adjective. Note also the use of the definite article, 'the' for superlative comparisons. See my post on when the definite article is not used here.

One-syllable adjectives

If an adjective ends with an 'e', just add '-r' or '-st':

    large - larger - largest

If it ends with a vowel and a consonant, double the consonant before adding the '-er' or '-est':

    hot - hotter - hottest
    thin - thinner - thinnest

Two-syllable adjectives ending with '-y'

Change the 'y' to an 'i' before adding 'er' or 'est':

    happy - happier - happiest
    funny - funnier - funniest

Adjectives with three or more syllables

For most other two-syllable and longer adjectives, we add 'more' to form the comparative, and 'most' to form the superlative:

    Shelly is more generous than her sister.
    He is the most interesting person I know.

Important Exceptions

Here are a few common irregular adjectives:

    good - better - best
    bad - worse - worst
    many - more - most

Now put your general knowledge to the test, and try this quiz:

27 comments:

  1. <span>Some of the questions are really difficult, but I liked the quizz</span>

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  2. We can't have them all too easy, can we? :-P 8-) ;)

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  3. <span>solo falle una pregunta </span>
    <span>que rabia :'( :-D </span>

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  4. <span>solo falle hay una rabia que</span>
    :'( :-D

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  5. <span>falle cuatro preguntas, era dificil</span>

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  6. No problem - the important thing is to try. :)

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  7. N 8-) fallé ninguna pregunta.
    It was very easy!! O:-) :-D :)

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  8. Good on you, Fer! :)

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  9. Well done, Noelia! :-D

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  10. falle en 5 era complicado

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  11. Doesn't matter, Alberto. The important thing is to understand the rules. Don't forget to do the pronunciation activity.
    http://acliltoclimb.blogspot.com/2009/10/pronunciation-of-regular-past-simple.html

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  12. jose maria harven20 January 2010 at 15:05

    <span>falle 1 no era tan dificil</span>

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  13. <span>Pos yo falle 3 :(  pero era dificil.. 8-) </span>

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  14. Javi 2A Tarahales11 May 2010 at 10:43

    <span>Good Quiz Chiew i got wrong 6  is too difficult
    </span>

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  15. Jose 2ºA I.E.S Los Tarahales.11 May 2010 at 10:43

    Chiew is great! ;)

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  16. nestor blanco tejera los tarahales 2A11 May 2010 at 10:43

    the question its difficult

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  17. <span>Is easy the games and is funny , my score is 900.....</span>

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  18. Celena Cabrera Cruz 2ºA11 May 2010 at 10:43

    <span>I'ts difficult because i'ts funny!!!</span> :-D

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  19. Gerardo 2º A LOS TARAHALES11 May 2010 at 10:43

    great game i like it so much very good chew :D:D

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  20. LauraDíaz2ºA lostarahales11 May 2010 at 10:43

    i'ts veery difficult! :(

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  21. alba 2ºA ies los tarahales11 May 2010 at 10:44

    <span>it's more difficult than other activities. my score is 1200 :) </span>

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  22. If you ever want to grow into a true journalist, start writing pieces with some insight and stop writing press releases.

    ReplyDelete
  23. <span>Pos yo falle 3 :(  pero era dificil.. 8-) </span>

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  24. LauraDíaz2ºA lostarahales7 July 2011 at 09:02

    i'ts veery difficult! :(

    ReplyDelete
  25. Celena Cabrera Cruz 2ºA7 July 2011 at 09:02

    <span>I'ts difficult because i'ts funny!!!</span> :-D

    ReplyDelete
  26. nestor blanco tejera los tarah7 July 2011 at 09:02

    the question its difficult

    ReplyDelete

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