Comparison Regular forms Adjectives Adjective Comparative Superlative Of one syllable, add-(e)r/-(e)st small to form their comparative & hot superlative forms safe smaller (than) hotter (than) safer (than) the smallest (of/in) the hottest (of/in) the safest (of/in) Of two syllables ending in -ly, -y, -w, also add -er/-est friendly busy shallow friendlier (than) busier (than) shallower (than) the friendliest (of/in) the busiest (of/in) the shallowest (of/in) Of two or more syllables, take more/most serious amazing more serious (than) the most serious (of/in) more amazing (than) the most amazing (of/in) Usage We use the comparative to compare one person/ thing with another e.g Mary is prettier than Ann This car is more expensive than the others We use the superlative to compare one person/ thing with more than one of the same group e.g He is the fastest runner of all She is the most intelligent child in the family We often use than after a comparative We normally use the before a superlative We often use of or in after a superlative We use in with places e.g She is shorter than you This problem is more complicated than that one I am the smartest of all This room is the most comfortable one in the hotel Certain adjectives form their comparative and superlative in both ways, either by adding -er/est to the adjectives or by taking more/most Some of these are: clever, common, cruel, friendly, gentle, narrow, pleasant, polite, shallow, simple, stupid, quiet e.g simple - simpler - the simplest ALSO simple - more simple - the most simple Regular forms Adverbs Adverb Comparative Superlative Adverbs having the same forms as their adjectives add -er/-est long fast early longer (than) faster (than) earlier (than) (the) longest (the) fastest (the) earliest more often (than) more slowly (than) more quickly (than) (the) most often (the) most slowly (the) most quickly Two syllables or compound adverbs often (adjectives+-ly, e.g careful-carefully) slowly take more/most quickly Irregular forms Adjectives/Adverbs Comparative Superlative good/ well bad/badly much/ many/ a lot of little few far better worse more less fewer farther/further best worst most least fewest farther/furthest Usage Well is the adverb of good e.g He is a good cook He cooks well further (adj) = more e.g For further information contact Mr White further/farther (adv) = longer (in distance) e.g He walked further/farther than I did very + adjective e.g It is very hot weather most + adj/adv = very e.g He was most obliging = He was very obliging even/much/far/a bit + comparative e.g My sister behaved even worse than before Susan is much more patient with children than Lily is any + comparative (used in negatives & questions) e.g This article was not any better than the previous one Types of Comparison Examples as … (adj/adv) … as not so/as as … (adj/adv) … as such a(n)/so … as She speaks as calmly as usual It is not so/as hot as it was yesterday This is not such an exciting film as the last one twice/three times /half/ etc as … (adj/adv) … as Their house is three times as big as ours His watch cost half as much as mine the same as Your violin is the same as the one I’ve bought less … (adj/adv) … than the least … (adj/adv) … of/in The red sofa is less expensive than the blue one, but the black one is the least expensive of all the + comparative … , the + comparative The earlier you start, the sooner you’ll finish comparative + and + comparative Their life is getting better and better Sentence transformation 1a I’ve never seen such a boring movie b It is the most boring movie I’ve ever seen 2a He is taller than his sister b His sister is not as tall as he is/him 3a If you work more, you will earn more b The more you work, the more you will earn 4a She is the quickest runner of all b She is quicker than any other runner c No other runner is as quick as she is/her 5a He is a terrible driver b He drives terribly 6a Jack has got the same number of books as Peter b Peter has got as many books as Jack 7a She hasn’t made as many mistakes as last time b She has made fewer mistakes than last time Exercise A Complete the comparative and superlative forms of the following adjectives/ adverbs Adjective/ Adverb Comparative Superlative e.g high higher highest loud large thin heavy quiet quietly intelligently dependent good/well 10 difficult Exercise B Choose the correct option for each of the following sentences e.g He worked more efficiently than I did (efficiently, more efficiently, most efficiently) Her promotion was the moment of her life (proud, prouder, proudest) Hawaii is _ from Hong Kong than Japan (far, farther, farthest) This ring is too _ for me (small, smaller, smallest) It is _ to ask for help than solve the problem by yourself (easy, easier, easiest) Grace’s work is , but Joan’s is (good, better, best) 10 August is than any other month (hot, hotter, hottest) Do you support his proposal? (late, later, latest) Prevention is than cure (good, better, best) He may be the man in Hong Kong (rich, richer, richest) This pair of glasses is as as that pair (fashionable, more fashionable, most fashionable) Exercise C Fill in each blank with the correct form – adjective/ adverb, comparative or superlative e.g The manager is the most powerful man here (powerful) Iron is _ than other metals (useful) My English teacher is as _ as Andy Lau (handsome) His Chinese is getting _ and _ (bad) The _ he gets, the _ he becomes (old, wise) Ann does not swim so _ as her coach claims (quickly) Which is _, grammar or vocabulary? (important) Staying at home is _ than going on holiday abroad (comfortable) The _ money you spend, the _ you can save (little, much) The new job is the _ one that I have had (challenging) 10 This mini-bus driver is much _ than any other driver (kind) Exercise D There is one mistake in each sentence Underline the mistakes and correct them ‘X’: extra word; ‘^’: missing word; : wrong word e.g Tommy is the most(X) cleverest boy in the class ( X ) Tommy is (^ the) cleverest boy in the class ( ^ ) Tommy is the clever (cleverest) boy in the class ( ) This is cheaper of the two pens ( ^ ) He is speaking more slowly and more slowly ( X ) Ms Lee is very shorter than her daughter ( ) The weather of Hong Kong is different from that of Canada’s ( ) Mary is much more nervous Jane ( ^ ) Her face turned more as white as a sheet when she heard what he said ( X ) Police in Sydney are investigating the death of a younger German tourist ( ) The more you smoke, more dangerous it is to your health ( ^ ) To be frank, this was the most easiest test in this term ( X ) 10 She is the best singer of the two, but she is not the best in Hong Kong ( ) Exercise E Rewrite the following sentences using the words given, without changing the meaning e.g No one else in the team plays better than he does (best) He plays the best in the team No other dancer is as graceful as she is in the play (most graceful) _ Susan dresses more smartly than Emily (less smartly) _ Tom is noisier than his brothers (as noisy as) _ If you try harder, you will better (the harder) _ Wealth is not as good as health (better) _ Mr Chan is younger than he looks (old) _ It got darker and the situation became worse (the darker) _ Sandy does not study so diligently as she did in the past (less diligently) _ His father is the most capable man in the office (as capable as) _ 10 Losing weight is not so easy as putting on weight (difficult) _ Suggested Answers Exercise A Adjective/ Adverb Comparative Superlative e.g high higher highest loud louder loudest large larger largest thin thinner thinnest heavy heavier heaviest quiet quieter/ more quiet quietest/ most quiet quietly more quietly most quietly intelligently more intelligently most intelligently dependent more dependent most dependent good/well better best 10 difficult more difficult most difficult Exercise B proudest farther small easier good, better hotter latest better richest 10 fashionable Exercise C more useful handsome worse, worse older, wiser more important more comfortable less, more quickly most challenging 10 kinder Exercise D 1.^ the cheaper slowly(X) and very much 4.Canada’s Canada nervous ^ than 6.more (X) younger young ^ the more most (X) Exercise E She is the most graceful dancer in the play Emily dresses less smartly than Susan Tom’s brothers are not as noisy as Tom The harder you try, the better you will Health is better than wealth Mr Chan is not as old as he looks The darker it got, the worse the situation became Sandy studies less diligently than she did in the past No man is as capable as his father in the office 10 Losing weight is more difficult than putting on weight COMPARING ADJECTIVES Oliver Thomas Compare the heights of these three boys: James Oliver is tall Thomas is taller than Oliver James is the tallest 10.best (better) singer TALLER is used for comparing TWO TALLEST is used when comparing MORE THAN TWO In the examples above –ER and –EST have been added to the word “TALL” to show the comparative height of each boy There are many adjectives where –ER and –EST can be added without any change in spelling: Cold – colder – coldest Clean – cleaner – cleanest BUT! Look our for these spelling changes: Drop the e at the end of: E.g Nice – nicer – nicest E.g Fine – finer – finest Change the y to i of: E.g Lazy – lazier – laziest E.g Shady – shadier - shadiest Double the last letter of: E.g Thin – thinner – thinnest E.g Slim – slimmer – slimmest REMEMBER! Some words cannot be changed at all so you must add MORE when comparing two and MOST when comparing more than two: E.g Beautiful – more beautiful – most beautiful Intelligent – more intelligent – most intelligent You must learn these exceptions: GOOD – BETTER – BEST BAD – WORSE – WORST Re-write the whole sentence into your book inserting the correct form of the adjective in bold type to complete each sentence Underline the comparative adjective Remember all the exceptions to the rule of adding –ER and –EST! The monk’s habit was made of the material I have ever seen COARSE 10 11 12 13 14 15 This is the classroom in the school COLD James’s story is than Mark’s GOOD Miss Agnes is the of the two sisters SLIM King Solomon was the king who ever reigned WISE Harry has the clothes I have ever seen BAD Jane chose the slice of cake on the dish THIN High Street is a much street than West Street WIDE Only the ingredients are used in our cakes PURE Susan is the girl in the class INTELLIGENT Colin is the of the twins BIG The oak is a tree than the poplar SHADY Jenny is than Alice BEAUTIFUL Brighton is one of our seaside resorts SUNNY The apples were the of the bunch GOOD SL/CompAdjs/2006 ANSWERS Re-write the whole sentence into your book inserting the correct form of the adjective in bold type to complete each sentence Underline the comparative adjective Remember all the exceptions to the rule of adding –ER and –EST! 10 11 12 13 14 15 The monk’s habit was made of the COARSEST material I have ever seen COARSE This is the COLDEST classroom in the school COLD James’s story is BETTER than Mark’s GOOD Miss Agnes is the SLIMMER of the two sisters SLIM King Solomon was the WISEST king who ever reigned WISE Harry has the WORST clothes I have ever seen BAD Jane chose the THINNEST slice of cake on the dish THIN High Street is a much WIDER street than West Street WIDE Only the PUREST ingredients are used in our cakes PURE Susan is the MOST INTELLIGENT girl in the class INTELLIGENT Colin is the BIGGER of the twins BIG The oak is a SHADIER tree than the poplar SHADY Jenny is MORE BEAUTIFUL than Alice BEAUTIFUL Brighton is one of our SUNNIEST seaside resorts SUNNY The apples were the BEST of the bunch GOOD SL/CompAdjs/2006 bigger than biger as Q3 - She is _ in the class the best best better than as good as Q4 - I'm not as successful _ she is as like than then Q5 - It was expensive restaurant I've ever been to more the more most the most Q6 - I'd like some information farther further Either could be used here Q7 - It's art collection in Europe finer finest the finer the finest Q8 - It was than I was expecting cheaper cheapest Either could be used here Q9 - This is the kitchen I've ever seen dirtyest dirtiest Either could be used here Q10 - Which is of the two? more difficult most difficult Either could be used here Q11 - She finished than everyone else more quickly quicker Either could be used here Q12 - The underground is buses more expensive most expensive the most expensive more expensive than Q13 - The plane would be _ than the coach more quickly quicker Either could be used here Q14 - It was test I have ever done the most hard the hardest Either could be used here Q15 - There were people at the game than expected most more many Q16 - The _ difficult thing was communication more most It depends on how many things there were Answer sheet: Q1 - It's better I thought as then than like Q2 - Brazil is _ England biger than bigger as bigger than biger as Q3 - She is _ in the class the best best better than as good as Q4 - I'm not as successful _ she is as like than then Q5 - It was expensive restaurant I've ever been to more the more most the most Q6 - I'd like some information farther further Either could be used here Q7 - It's art collection in Europe finer finest the finer the finest Q8 - It was than I was expecting cheaper cheapest Either could be used here Q9 - This is the kitchen I've ever seen dirtyest dirtiest Either could be used here Q10 - Which is of the two? more difficult most difficult Either could be used here Q11 - She finished than everyone else more quickly quicker Either could be used here Q12 - The underground is buses more expensive most expensive the most expensive more expensive than Q13 - The plane would be _ than the coach more quickly quicker Either could be used here Q14 - It was test I have ever done the most hard the hardest Either could be used here Q15 - There were people at the game than expected most more many Q16 - The _ difficult thing was communication more most It depends on how many things there were Comparatives exercises: Paying attention to the correct spelling, complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks with the comparative forms of the adjectives shown in brackets For example: My towel is _ than yours (dry) My towel is drier than yours The grass is than it was yesterday (wet) The grass is wetter than it was yesterday The village is than the city (pretty) This building is than the one next to it (big) Your watch is than mine (slow) Her roses smell than ours (sweet) The corner store is than the supermarket (close) The temperature is today than it was yesterday (high) His cat is than yours (fat) We arrived than she had expected (soon) It is on this side of the valley (sunny) 10 She is _ than her sister (young) 11 The afternoon is usually than the morning (hot) 12 He is than you are (weak) 13 The table is at this end (low) 14 This book is _ than that one (thin) 15 The bag is _ than the suitcase (heavy) Answers prettier bigger slower sweeter closer higher fatter sooner sunnier 10 younger 11 hotter 12 weaker 13 lower 14 thinner 15 heavier Comparatives Test : Q1 - It's than mine smaller more small Either could be used here Q2 - Yours is than mine biger bigger more big Q3 - It's than you think commoner more common Either could be used here Q4 - It cost than I thought less fewer Either could be used here Q5 - He's than he looks cleverer more clever Either could be used here Q6 - The road is than the motorway narrower more narrow Either could be used here Q7 - She talks than I quicker more quickly Either could be used here Q8 - It's than it looks badder worse bader Q9 - It's than it was beter better gooder Q10 - It was than I thought it would be quicker more quick Either could be used here Q11 - I'd like some information about your courses further farther Answer sheet: Q1 - It's than mine smaller more small Either could be used here Q2 - Yours is than mine biger bigger more big Q3 - It's than you think commoner more common Either could be used here Q4 - It cost than I thought less fewer Either could be used here Q5 - He's than he looks cleverer more clever Either could be used here Q6 - The road is than the motorway narrower more narrow Either could be used here Q7 - She talks than I quicker more quickly Either could be used here Q8 - It's than it looks badder worse bader Q9 - It's than it was beter better gooder Q10 - It was than I thought it would be quicker more quick Either could be used here Q11 - I'd like some information about your courses further farther Complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks with the comparative forms of the irregular adjectives given in brackets For example: Pam is a student than Roger (good) Pam is a better student than Roger His cough is _ than yours (bad) His cough is worse than yours I have _ eggs than I need (many) The bread tastes even _ than the rolls (good) She does not want to travel than necessary (far) Alice drinks _ coffee than Jerry does (little) We have _ honey than we need (much) Things may be _ than you think (bad) Business is this year than it was last year (good) Alan has _ money than Ben (little) She has _ self-confidence than I (much) 10 The weather was _ yesterday than it is today (bad) Answers more better farther less more worse better less more 10 worse Paying attention to the correct spelling, complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks with the superlative forms of the adjectives shown in brackets For example: They are the _ people I know (lazy) They are the laziest people I know This is the _ part of the day (hot) This is the hottest part of the day This is the _ highway in the country (wide) That was the _ sunset I have ever seen (red) Yesterday was the _ day of the year (cold) This is the _ way to it (easy) The kitchen is the _ room in the house (clean) This is the _ model currently available (new) This is the _ cake I have ever eaten (sweet) The third act is the _ part of the play (sad) The temperature on record was minus forty degrees (low) 10 That is probably the _ thing to (wise) 11 This is the route into town (short) 12 She is the _ girl I know (lucky) Answers widest reddest coldest easiest cleanest newest sweetest saddest lowest 10 wisest 11 shortest 12 luckiest Complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks with the superlative forms of the irregular adjectives shown in brackets For example: Pam is the student in the class (good) Pam is the best student in the class That is the _ essay I have ever read (bad) That is the worst essay I have ever read This is the we have ever traveled in one day (far) Their farm has produced the _ tomatoes (many) Our strawberries have the _ flavor (good) He ate the _ jam (little) That is the _ news I have heard yet (bad) She has the cheese (much) They have eaten the _ pancakes (many) That is the thing that could happen (bad) We have used the _ honey (much) 10 That is the _ suggestion we have heard yet (good) 11 This is the _ stretch of road (bad) 12 They produced the _ butter this year (little) Answers farthest most best least worst most most worst most 10 best 11 worst 12 least THE COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE ADJECTIVES Compare the jobs Use the comparative form of the adjectives in brackets Give your opinion e.g firefighter / soldier (dangerous) I think a firefighter has got a more dangerous job than a soldier flight attendant/ tour guide (easy) coach / architect (interesting) surgeon/vet (difficult) receptionist / cashier (boring) chemist / police inspector ( safe) soldier / plumber (dirty) Compare the sentences with the COMPARATIVE Decide if you agree or disagree e.g Will Young is popular, but Robbie Williams is more popular I agree I disagree Christina Aguilera is beautiful, but Jennifer López is I agree I disagree Jim Carrey is funny, but Mike Myers is I agree I disagree Manchester United are successful, but Real Madrid are I agree I disagree Chocolate is nice, but fruit is I agree I disagree History is interesting, but geography is I agree I disagree Johnny Depp is a good actor, but Brad Pitt is I agree I disagree Write sentences Use the COMPARATIVE form of the adjectives and THAN e.g Liam / tall / Helen Liam is taller than Helen I / lazy / my brother Tom / confident / Karen Simon / impatient / his sister August / hot / May My mum / funny / my dad London / big / Manchester Write sentences Use NOT AS AS HEAVY / RICH / LIGHT / OLD / POOR / SHORT / TALL / YOUNG SALLY VICKY 18 21 Height 165 cm 150 cm Weight 56 kg 64 kg Salary $ 450 $700 Age e.g Sally isn’t as old as Vicky Write sentences using the SUPERLATIVE FORM of the adjectives Giver your opinion e.g (easy/subject) I think geography is the easiest subject in the world! (beautiful / actress) (funny / TV programme) (honest / politician) (bad / singer) (handsome / actor) (good / pop group) THE COMPARATIVE QUIZ Put these words in the correct order e.g sea, ocean, lake (large) Ocean, sea, lake An ocean is the largest A sea is larger than a lake captain, sergeant, major (important) city, village, town (big) foot, inch, yard (long) gold, platinum, silver (precious) motorway, lane, road (wide) puddle, river, stream (deep) nurse, matron, surgeon (senior) bush, shrub, tree (tall) baby, teenager, infant (young) Complete with the COMPARATIVE OR THE SUPERLATIVE You look much .(good) yesterday The (bad) thing you can near a fierce dog is to be afraid She's (careful) girl .the class She has never broken anything Indian cooking has some of (hot) dishes the world Who is (beautiful) , Madonna or Sophia Loren ? He is (extravagant) teacher I know He wears his hat even in class Living in Paris is (expensive) living in Valencia Anne is (clever) person I know She learns everything immediately The teacher thinks we have to be (tidy) last year We can't go on like this 10 I feel (bad) yesterday I need a rest The same instructions as in exercise A car is (expensive) a bicycle Tokyo is (large) city .the world An elephant is (heavy)a horse Spain is (big) England England isn’t Spain (big) My car is (bad)your car Helen was (beautiful) woman .Greece 7.An aeroplane is (fast) a plane This exam is (difficult) all Old people are (intelligent) young people 10 Winter is (cold) autumn 11 .(hot) desert all is the Sahara and it's in Africa 12 I am much (healthy) now years ago 13 Germany is (far) from home France 14 I've got (little) money you but I don't mind 15 Chinese is (difficult) language the world 16 The pink sweater is (warm) the green one (-) 17 Cats are not (intelligent) dogs 18 I think you must tell me (good) way to it, or it will take me ages to finish 19 My sister Anne had a (tidy) room me, but was always having arguments with everybody 20 Who is (talkative) person class? (-) ... than the previous one Types of Comparison Examples as … (adj/adv) … as not so/ as as … (adj/adv) … as such a(n) /so … as She speaks as calmly as usual It is not so/ as hot as it was yesterday This... syllable, with one vowel and one consonant at the end hot, big Double the consonant + er Double the consonant + est Only one syllable, with two vowels or two consonants at the end clean, fast +... as _ as Andy Lau (handsome) His Chinese is getting _ and _ (bad) The _ he gets, the _ he becomes (old, wise) Ann does not swim so _ as her coach claims