Life is full of contrasts and comparisons. Whenever something is seen, the mind's back starts to compare that thing to other things. With comparing being the case, a great number of adjectives is required, and an indication that this thing is better than the other or best than the rest is needed.

There are 2 Degrees of Comparison

1. Comparative Degree

Comparative Degree uses Comparative Adjectives. They are used to compare the differences between the attributes of two nouns. These are often measurements, such as height, weight, depth, and distance, but they don’t always have to be. Comparative adjectives can also be used to compare non-physical characteristics like smart, wise, bold, strong, intelligent, and many many more.

2. Superlative Degree

Superlative Degree on the other hand uses Superlative Adjectives. They are used to compare the differences between the attributes of three or more nouns.

FORMING COMPARATIVE & SUPERLATIVE ADJECTIVES

Comparative and Superlative Adjectives are formed by:

* For Short Adjectives (adjectives that have only one syllable) that end in "consonants"

Adding a "-er" (for comparative) and "-est" (for superlative) after the adjective

Examples:

smart - smarter - smartest

tall - taller - tallest

sweet - sweeter - sweetest

fast - faster - fastest

slow - slower - slowest

* For Short Adjectives (adjectives that have only one syllable) that end in "e"

Adding "'-r" (for comparative) and "-st" (for superlative) after the adjective

Examples:

wise - wiser - wisest

safe - safer - safest

cute - cuter - cutest

large - larger - largest

* For Short Adjectives (adjectives that have two syllables) that end in "-y"

Removing "-y", replacing it with "-i", and adding "'-er" (for comparative) and "-est" (for superlative) after the adjective

Examples:

happy - happier - happiest

lovely - lovelier - loveliest

bumpy - bumpier - bumpiest

sticky - stickier - stickiest

The adjectives above have two syllables each and end in "-y". Therefore, the "-y" is replaced with "-i" and added "'-er" (for comparative) and "-est" (for superlative) after the "-i".

* For Long Adjectives (adjectives that have 2 syllables but do not end in "-y", adjectives that have three or more syllables)

Adding a "more/less" (for comparative) and "most/least" (for superlative) before the adjective

Examples:

intelligent - more intelligent/less intelligent - most inteligent/least intelligent

beautiful - more beautiful/less beautiful - most beautiful/least beautiful

adventurous - more adventurous/less adventurous - most adventurous/least adventurous

colorful - more colorful/less colorful - most adventurous/least adventurous

* For Irregular Adjectives (regardless of the number of syllables)

If verbs have irregular ones, adjectives have too: irregular adjectives. These adjectives do not have a specific pattern to follow to form their comparative and superlative forms.

Here is a list of the common irregular adjectives:

good – better - best

bad – worse - worst

far – farther/further - farthest/furthest

many - more - most

well - better - best

little - less - least

Using the Comparative and Superlative Adjectives in Sentences

Degrees of Comparison

Life is full of contrasts and comparisons. Whenever something is seen, the mind's back starts to compare that thing to other things. With comparing being the case, a great number of adjectives is required, and an indication that this thing is better than the other or best than the rest is needed.

There are 2 Degrees of Comparison

1. Comparative Degree

Comparative Degree uses Comparative Adjectives. They are used to compare the differences between the attributes of two nouns. These are often measurements, such as height, weight, depth, and distance, but they don’t always have to be. Comparative adjectives can also be used to compare non-physical characteristics like smart, wise, bold, strong, intelligent, and many many more.

2. Superlative Degree

Superlative Degree on the other hand uses Superlative Adjectives. They are used to compare the differences between the attributes of three or more nouns.

FORMING COMPARATIVE & SUPERLATIVE ADJECTIVES

Comparative and Superlative Adjectives are formed by:

* For Short Adjectives (adjectives that have only one syllable) that end in "consonants"

Adding a "-er" (for comparative) and "-est" (for superlative) after the adjective

Examples:

smart - smarter - smartest

tall - taller - tallest

sweet - sweeter - sweetest

fast - faster - fastest

slow - slower - slowest

* For Short Adjectives (adjectives that have only one syllable) that end in "e"

Adding "'-r" (for comparative) and "-st" (for superlative) after the adjective

Examples:

wise - wiser - wisest

safe - safer - safest

cute - cuter - cutest

large - larger - largest

* For Short Adjectives (adjectives that have two syllables) that end in "-y"

Removing "-y", replacing it with "-i", and adding "'-er" (for comparative) and "-est" (for superlative) after the adjective

Examples:

happy - happier - happiest

lovely - lovelier - loveliest

bumpy - bumpier - bumpiest

sticky - stickier - stickiest

The adjectives above have two syllables each and end in "-y". Therefore, the "-y" is replaced with "-i" and added "'-er" (for comparative) and "-est" (for superlative) after the "-i".

* For Long Adjectives (adjectives that have 2 syllables but do not end in "-y", adjectives that have three or more syllables)

Adding a "more/less" (for comparative) and "most/least" (for superlative) before the adjective

Examples:

intelligent - more intelligent/less intelligent - most inteligent/least intelligent

beautiful - more beautiful/less beautiful - most beautiful/least beautiful

adventurous - more adventurous/less adventurous - most adventurous/least adventurous

colorful - more colorful/less colorful - most adventurous/least adventurous

* For Irregular Adjectives (regardless of the number of syllables)

If verbs have irregular ones, adjectives have too: irregular adjectives. These adjectives do not have a specific pattern to follow to form their comparative and superlative forms.

Here is a list of the common irregular adjectives:

good – better - best

bad – worse - worst

far – farther/further - farthest/furthest

many - more - most

well - better - best

little - less - least

Using the Comparative and Superlative Adjectives in Sentences

When comparing two things/people, "than" is put after the Comparative Adjective, just like the examples above while the word "the" is put before the Superlative Adjective when three or more people/things are compared.