In this unit, you will learn how comparisons work in the English language. You will get to know and practice how to describe change and compare people, things, ideas, and concepts.
Summary
There are various adverbial expressions and adjectives that can be used to compare different concepts. Here is an overview of the different types of adjectives and how to form their comparative and superlative forms. However, bear in mind that there can be exceptions to these rules which you have to memorize.
regular short adjectives
| Basic form | Comparative | Superlative |
| adjective + er | adjective + est | |
| small | smaller | smallest |
short adjectives ending on consonants
| Basic form | Comparative | Superlative |
| adjective + double consonant + er | adjective + double consonant + est | |
| big | bigger | biggest |
| sad | sadder | saddest |
| fat | fatter | fattest |
two syllable adjectives ending with y
| Basic form | Comparative | Superlative |
| adjective + i instead of y + er | adjective + i instead of y + est | |
| shiny | shinier | shiniest |
| happy | happier | happiest |
| hungry | hungrier | hungriest |
two (and more) syllable adjectives
| Basic form | Comparative | Superlative |
| more +adjective | most + adjective | |
| beautiful | more beautiful | most beautiful |
| modern | more modern | most modern |
| important | more important | most important |
Attention: You make non-equal comparisons for two (and more) syllable adjectives using “less” and “least”!
exceptions: irregular adjectives
| Basic form | Comparative | Superlative |
| good | better | best |
| bad | worse | worst |
| little (=amount of sth.) | less | least |
Use of comparative
subject + verb + comparative adjective + “than” + object
e.g.: The knife is closer (to the plate) than the spoon.
Attention: than is spelled with “a”
Use of superlative
subject + verb + “the” + superlative adjective + object
e.g.: The steak is the most expensive dish on the menu.
As ... as comparison
“as” + adjective/adverb + “as”
e.g.: The knife is as shiny as this spoon.
Meaning: The spoon and the knife are equally shiny.
Irregularities
- Sometimes, when not using a comparison with than, one-syllable adjectives can be used with more or most, e.g. “The stairs are becoming more steep.” (instead of “steeper”)
- To describe a cause-and-effect relation between two things, you can use “the ... the ... ”, e.g. “The more you know, the wiser you are.”