FORMING THE COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE
Number of syllables Comparative Superlative
one syllable + -er + -est
tall taller tallest
one syllable with the spelling consonant + single vowel + consonant: double the
final consonant:
fat fatter fattest
big bigger biggest
sad sadder saddest
Number of syllables Comparative Superlative
two syllables ending
in: -y
+ -er + adj + -est + adj
happy happier happiest
Note: Adjectives ending in '-y' like happy, pretty, busy, sunny, lucky etc:. replace the -
y with -ier or -iest in the comparative and superlative form
Number of syllables Comparative Superlative
three syllables or
more
more + adj most + adj
important
more important
most important
expensive more expensive most expensive
Examples:
a. A cat is fast, a tiger is faster but a cheetah is the fastest
b. A car is heavy, a truck is heavier, but a train is the heaviest
c. A park bench is comfortable, a restaurant chair is more comfortable, but a sofa is the most
comfortable
IRREGULAR COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES
These adjectives have completely irregular comparative and superlative forms:
