Comparatives & Superlatives — Explained

Comparatives and superlatives are forms we use when we want to talk about differences and similarities between people, things, or groups. The comparative allows you to compare exactly two items by saying one has more or less of a quality than the other. The superlative identifies which item ranks highest or lowest within a group of three or more items.

Understanding Comparatives

• A comparative form compares exactly two people, animals, things, or groups. The comparative always includes "than" to introduce the second item in the comparison.
• I am taller than my sister.
• This book is more interesting than that one.
• Your coffee is hotter than mine.
• For one-syllable adjectives, add the suffix -er to create the comparative:
• tall > taller
• fast > faster
• old > older
• cheap > cheaper
• The pattern is: subject + verb + adjective-er + than + noun.
• Tom is older than Mark.
• This car is faster than that one.
• For multi-syllable adjectives (typically two or more syllables), place "more" before the adjective instead of adding -er:
• beautiful > more beautiful
• difficult > more difficult
• expensive > more expensive
• That painting is more beautiful than this one.
• Mathematics is more difficult than English.
• Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y usually take the -er suffix with the y changing to i:
• happy > happier
• busy > busier
• angry > angrier
• She looks happier than she did last week.
• To express the opposite comparison, use "not as...as" or the word "less":
• Tom is not as tall as his father.
• Your job is less stressful than mine.
• For questions with comparatives, use standard question word order:
• Is your brother older than you?
• Which is bigger, the cat or the dog?