Comparison of adjectives

There are three forms of comparison:

- positive
- comparative
- superlative

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A - Comparison with -er/-est

clean - cleaner - (the) cleanest

We use -er/-est with the following adjectives:

1) Adjectives with one syllable

clean	cleaner	cleanest
new	newer	newest
cheap	cheaper	cheapest

2) Adjectives with two syllables and the following endings:

2 - 1) Adjectives with two syllables, ending in –y

dirty	dirtier	dirtiest
easy	easier	easiest
happy	happier	happiest
pretty	prettier	prettiest

2 - 2) Adjectives with two syllables, ending in -er

clever cleverer cleverest

 

2 - 3) Adjectives with two syllables, ending in -le

simple simpler simplest

 

2 - 4) Adjectives with two syllables, ending in –ow

narrow					narrower	narrowest

Spelling of the adjectives using the endings -er/-est

large		larger			largest		leave out the silent -e
big		bigger			biggest		Double the consonant after short vowel
sad		sadder			saddest
dirty		dirtier			dirtiest		Change -y to -i (consonant before -y)
shy		shyer			shyest		Here -y is not changed to -i. (although consonant before -y)