We compare things all the time: prices, phones, cities, people, the weather. English has two main forms for this. The comparative (bigger, more expensive) compares two things, usually with than. The superlative (the biggest, the most expensive) picks out one thing from a group of three or more, usually with the.
Which form you need depends mostly on the length of the adjective. Short adjectives add -er and -est, long adjectives use more and most, and a few very common ones, like good, bad and far, are irregular. This page also shows how to say that two things are equal with as ... as, and how to make a difference sound bigger or smaller with much, a lot or a bit.
How to form comparatives and superlatives
Count the syllables. One-syllable adjectives add -er and -est. Adjectives with two or more syllables usually take more and most, except two-syllable adjectives ending in -y, which change y to i and add -er and -est.
| Type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| One syllable | adjective + -er; the + adjective + -est | cheap β cheaper β the cheapest; tall β taller β the tallest |
| One syllable, ending in -e | add -r; the + adjective + -st | nice β nicer β the nicest; safe β safer β the safest |
| One syllable, ending in one vowel + one consonant | double the last consonant + -er / -est | big β bigger β the biggest; hot β hotter β the hottest |
| Ending in consonant + -y | change y to i + -er / -est | easy β easier β the easiest; happy β happier β the happiest |
| Two or more syllables | more + adjective; the most + adjective | modern β more modern β the most modern; expensive β more expensive β the most expensive |
| Irregular | special forms (learn them by heart) | good β better β the best; bad β worse β the worst; far β farther/further β the farthest/furthest |
- Spelling: double the last consonant only when a one-syllable adjective ends in one vowel + one consonant (thin β thinner, sad β the saddest). Don't double it after two vowels or with w (cheap β cheaper, new β newer). Change consonant + y to i (busy β busier, early β the earliest).
- Some two-syllable adjectives can take either form, such as quiet (quieter or more quiet), narrow (narrower or more narrow) and friendly (friendlier or more friendly).
- Adjectives ending in -ed use more and most, even short ones: more tired, the most bored.
- Far has two forms. Both farther and further are used for distance, and American English usually prefers farther for distance. Only further can mean more or extra: Do you need any further help?
- Adverbs work in a similar way: fast β faster, hard β harder, carefully β more carefully, well β better, badly β worse.
- Pronunciation: than is usually unstressed and sounds like /Γ°Ιn/: taller than me.
When to use comparatives and superlatives
1. Comparing two people or things (comparative + than)
Use the comparative + than to show how two people, things or places are different. If it is clear what you are comparing, you can leave out than and the second part.
- My brother is three years older than me.
- The train is faster than the bus, but it's more expensive.
- I liked the second hotel. It was cleaner and more comfortable.
2. The top or bottom of a group (the + superlative)
Use the + superlative when you compare one person or thing with all the others in a group. The group often comes after in or of. The opposite of the most is the least.
- This is the oldest building in our town.
- It was the worst meal I've ever had.
- What's the least expensive way to get downtown?
3. Saying two things are equal (as ... as)
Use as + adjective + as to say that two people or things are the same in some way. The adjective stays in its basic form.
- My son is almost as tall as me now.
- The second movie was just as good as the first one.
- Is the subway as crowded as the bus?
4. Saying something is less (not as ... as)
Use not as ... as to say that one thing has less of a quality than another. You can also use less + adjective + than, especially with longer adjectives.
- This hotel isn't as nice as the one we stayed in last year.
- My new job isn't as stressful as my old one.
- The second exam was less difficult than the first.
5. Big and small differences (much, a lot, a bit)
To show a big difference, put much, a lot or far before the comparative. To show a small difference, use a bit, a little or slightly. Don't use very with comparatives.
- The new phone is much faster than the old one.
- It's a lot colder today than yesterday.
- Could you speak a bit more slowly, please?
Words that often go with comparatives and superlatives
- than
- as ... as
- not as ... as
- much
- a lot
- far
- a bit
- a little
- slightly
- even
- by far
- the ... in
- the ... of
- ever
Much, a lot, far, a bit, a little, slightly and even go before comparatives (much cheaper, even worse). By far makes a superlative stronger (by far the best), and ever often follows a superlative with the present perfect (the best book I've ever read).
Examples
Positive
- Our new neighbors are friendlier than the old ones.
- Your English is much better than it was last year.
- My grandmother is the funniest person in our family.
- This is the most beautiful beach I've ever seen.
Negative
- The exam wasn't as hard as I expected.
- My apartment isn't as big as yours, but it's much cheaper.
- This isn't the fastest way to the airport, but it's the easiest.
- The new version isn't any better than the old one.
Questions
- Which is more expensive, the blue jacket or the black one?
- Who is the tallest person in your family?
- Is your new job as interesting as your old one?
- What's the best way to learn new words?
Comparative or superlative?
Use a comparative to compare two people or things, usually with than. Use a superlative to say that one person or thing is at the top or bottom of a whole group, usually with the and often with in or of. A quick test: than goes with comparatives, and the goes with superlatives.
| Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|
| Ana is taller than Ben. (two people) | Ana is the tallest student in the class. (the whole class) |
| This phone is cheaper than that one. (two phones) | This is the cheapest phone in the store. (all the phones in the store) |
| Monday was busier than Tuesday. (two days) | Monday was the busiest day of the week. (all seven days) |
| Tom's cooking is worse than mine. (two people) | Tom is the worst cook in our family. (everyone in the family) |
Common mistakes
- WrongHer new job is more better than her old one.RightHer new job is better than her old one.
Better is already a comparative, so don't add more.
- WrongHe is the most tallest player on the team.RightHe is the tallest player on the team.
Use -est or most to make a superlative, never both.
- WrongYour car is newer that mine.RightYour car is newer than mine.
After a comparative, use than, not that.
- WrongThis is the more beautiful city I've ever visited.RightThis is the most beautiful city I've ever visited.
To compare one thing with all the others, use the superlative (the most), not the comparative (more).
- WrongToday is very hotter than yesterday.RightToday is much hotter than yesterday.
Very doesn't go with comparatives; use much, a lot or far to show a big difference.
- WrongMy phone is as expensive than yours.RightMy phone is as expensive as yours.
The pattern is as + adjective + as; than goes only with comparatives.
Choosing an apartment
Examples of comparatives and superlatives are highlighted.
Last month, my wife and I looked at three apartments. The first one was the cheapest, but it was also the smallest, and the kitchen was darker than a cave. The second apartment was bigger and much brighter than the first, but it was farther from the city center, so the trip to work was longer. The third one was the most expensive of the three. However, it was in the nicest neighborhood, and it was as quiet as a library. In the end, we chose the second apartment. It isn't as modern as the third one, but it's more comfortable than our old home, and the view is the best we've ever had.
Comparatives and Superlatives quiz
8 questions. Choose an answer to see if it is right and why.
Read texts that use comparatives and superlatives
Grammar sticks when you meet it again in real reading. These graded texts use this structure; each one has key words, audio and questions.
Comparatives and Superlatives: questions and answers
What are comparatives and superlatives?
They are forms of adjectives and adverbs that we use to compare. A comparative compares two things (cheaper, more expensive), and a superlative shows that one thing is at the top or bottom of a group (the cheapest, the most expensive).
When do you use -er and when do you use more?
Use -er and -est with one-syllable adjectives (fast, faster, the fastest) and with two-syllable adjectives ending in -y (happy, happier, the happiest). Use more and most with most other adjectives of two or more syllables (famous, more famous, the most famous).
Is it "taller than me" or "taller than I"?
In everyday English, taller than me is normal and correct. Taller than I am is also correct and a little more formal; taller than I, with no verb after it, sounds very formal.
What is the difference between farther and further?
Both can be used for distance: The station is farther (or further) than I thought. American English usually prefers farther for distance, and only further can mean more or extra: Do you have any further questions?
Can I say "more better" or "most best"?
No. Better and best are already comparative and superlative forms, so don't add more or most. The same is true for worse and worst, the forms of bad.