There are three forms of comparison:
- positive
- comparative
- superlative
A - Comparison with -er/-est clean - cleaner - (the) cleanest
We use -er/-est with the following adjectives:
1) Adjectives with one syllable positive | comparative | superlative | clean | cleaner | cleanest | new | newer | newest | cheap | cheaper | cheapest |
2) Adjectives with two syllables and the following endings:
2 - 1) Adjectives with two syllables, ending in -y positive | comparative | superlative | dirty | dirtier | dirtiest | easy | easier | easiest | happy | happier | happiest | pretty | prettier | prettiest |
2 - 2) Adjectives with two syllables, ending in -er positive | comparative | superlative | clever | cleverer | cleverest |
2 - 3) Adjectives with two syllables, ending in -le positive | comparative | superlative | simple | simpler | simplest |
2 - 4) Adjectives with two syllables, ending in -ow positive | comparative | superlative | narrow | narrower | narrowest |
3) Spelling of the adjectives using the endings -er/-est positive | comparative | superlative | comment | large | larger | largest | leave out the silent -e | big | bigger | biggest | Double the consonant after short vowel | sad | sadder | saddest | | dirty | dirtier | dirtiest | Change -y to -i (consonant before -y) | shy | shyer | shyest | Here -y is not changed to -i.
(although consonant before -y) |
B - Comparison with more - most positive | comparative | superlative | difficult | more difficult | (the) most difficult | all adjectives with more than one syllable (except some adjectives with two syllables - see
2 - 1 to 2 - 4)
C - Irregular adjectives positive | comparative | superlative | comment | good | better | best | | bad | worse | worst | | much | more | most | uncountable nouns | many | more | most | countable nouns | little | less | least | | little | smaller | smallest | |
D -