Comparatives and superlatives are words used to make comparisons. They allow us to specify the degree to which a noun takes on a quality as compared to other nouns.
Comparatives
Superlatives
Comparatives are adjectives or adverbs used to compare two things. Either they end in -er or the word more is used:
weaker, stronger, faster, slower
more important, more expensive
Superlatives are adjectives or adverbs used to compare more than two things; either they end in -est or the word most is used
weakest, strongest, fastest, slowest
most important, most expensive
How do you know whether to use -er/-est or more/most? Check the number of syllables.
If a word has one syllable, use -er/-est
cold ➜ colder/coldest
fast ➜ faster/fastest
If the word has two syllables, in most cases you should use -er/-est but there are important exceptions to this:
If the two-syllable word ends in -ful, -less, -al, -ive, -ous, it will need more/most
helpful ➜ more helpful/most helpful
fabulous ➜ more fabulous/most fabulous
NOTE: If the two-syllable adjective is formed from participle, it will need more/most
tangled ➜ more tangled/most tangled
moving ➜ more moving/most moving
If the word has three or more syllables, put more/most in front of it.
beautiful ➜ more beautiful/most beautiful
artistic ➜ more artistic/most artistic
responsible ➜ more responsible/most responsible
Some words require additional changes when adding -er/-est to the end.
If an adjective has a consonant, a single vowel, and then a consonant, then that last consonant will need to be doubled
red ➜ redder/reddest
hot ➜ hotter/hottest
If the word ends in y, then that y will need to be changed to an i before adding -er
friendly ➜ friendlier/friendliest
sunny ➜ sunnier/sunniest
How Will the Test Try to Trick You?
The test will use incorrect adjective forms based on the number of things the sentence is comparing.
🚫 Incorrect: After taking the math and science exams, students determined that the math exam was longer but the science exam was the hardest.
Since the sentence is comparing two things—a math exam and science exam—the adjectives should take the -er form.
The first one—longer—does but the second one—hardest—does not.
Change the second to harder.
✅ Correct: After taking the math and science exams, students determined that the math was the longer exam but the science was the harder exam.
Tips and Strategies
When you encounter an underlined comparative or superlative, identify the nouns that are being compared.
Remember the rules for using and forming comparatives and superlatives. The following quick reference can help.
Comparing two nouns?
Comparative
-er
more
Comparing more than three or more nouns?
Superlatives
-est
most
How many syllables does the adjective/adverb have?
One: Use -er/-est
Two: Use –er (but note exceptions to this)
Three: Put more (comparative) or most (superlative) in front of the word with no other changes.
Does the word end in -ful, -less, -al, -ive, -ous?
