Basic English Learning

Comparative and Superlative Adjectives with Examples

Comparative and Superlative Adjectives with Examples

Adjectives make our sentences more interesting and clear. They describe nouns — people, places, or things. When we compare two or more nouns, we use comparative and superlative adjectives.
In this article, you will learn what adjectives are, how to form comparative and superlative degrees, and when to use them — with easy examples and useful rules.

What are Adjectives?

Adjectives are describing words used to tell more about a noun or a pronoun.

Examples:

➡ The tall boy is running.
➡ She is a smart student.

Here, tall and smart are adjectives because they describe the nouns boy and student.

Comparative Degree of Adjectives

The comparative degree shows a comparison between two people, animals, or things. Usually, “-er” is added to short adjectives, or “more” is used before long adjectives.

Examples:
➡ Alex is taller than John.
➡ This book is more interesting than that one.

Key Tip: The comparative form often uses the word “than” to show the difference.

Superlative Degree of Adjectives

The superlative degree is used to show the highest quality or extreme among three or more people or things.
We usually add “-est” to short adjectives or use “most” before long adjectives.

Examples:

➡ Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
➡ This is the most beautiful flower in the garden.

Key Tip: The superlative form usually uses “the” before it.

Comparative and Superlative Adjectives with Examples

Comparative and Superlative Adjectives Rules and Examples

Rules for Forming Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

Type of Adjective Comparative Form Superlative Form Example
One-syllable words Add -er Add -est tall → taller → tallest
Ends with -e Add -r, -st Add -st large → larger → largest
Ends with one consonant + vowel + consonant Double the last consonant Double the last consonant + -est big → bigger → biggest
Two-syllable ending in -y Change y → i and add -er / -est Change y → i and add -est happy → happier → happiest
Two or more syllables Use more / most Use most beautiful → more beautiful → most beautiful
Irregular adjectives Change completely Change completely good → better → best / bad → worse → worst

Examples of Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

Comparative and Superlative Adjectives with Examples

Examples of Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

Positive Comparative Superlative
big bigger biggest
fast faster fastest
clever cleverer cleverest
old older oldest
happy happier happiest
large larger largest
pretty prettier prettiest
long longer longest
high higher highest
kind kinder kindest
good better best
bad worse worst
beautiful more beautiful most beautiful
difficult more difficult most difficult
interesting more interesting most interesting
expensive more expensive most expensive
easy easier easiest
young younger youngest
dirty dirtier dirtiest
thin thinner thinnest

Summary on Degrees of Comparison

To describe or compare, you use adjectives in three degrees:

  • Positive – describes one thing (She is tall.)
  • Comparative – compares two things (She is taller than him.)
  • Superlative – compares three or more things (She is the tallest of all.)

Learning these forms helps you speak and write more naturally in English.


FAQs About Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

What is a comparative adjective?
A comparative adjective shows a difference between two nouns, like bigger or smarter.

What is a superlative adjective?
A superlative adjective shows the highest degree of quality, like best or tallest.

How do I form comparatives for long adjectives?
Use “more” before the adjective.
Example: more careful, more expensive.

When do I use “most”?
Use “most” before long adjectives for the superlative form.
Example: most comfortable, most beautiful.

What are irregular comparative and superlative adjectives?
Some adjectives change form completely:
good → better → best
bad → worse → worst


Comparative and superlative adjectives make your English clear, expressive, and natural.
They help you compare things and express degrees of quality easily.

By practising daily, you can master these forms and use them confidently in both speaking and writing.


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About the author

Muhammad Matloob

Vocabish is an online platform dedicated to helping English learners enhance their language skills.

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