Comparative Adjectives

When we talk about two things, we can "compare" them. We can see if they are the same or different. Perhaps they are the same in some ways and different in other ways. We can use comparative adjectives to describe the differences. We use comparative adjectives when talking about two things (not three or more things).

In the example below, "bigger" is the comparative form of the adjective "big":

A1 A2

A1 is bigger than A2.

The comparative and the superlative

Comparative adjectives

Comparative adjectives are used to compare differences between the two objects they modify (larger, smaller, faster, higher). They are used in sentences where two nouns are compared, in this pattern:

Noun (subject) + verb + comparative adjective + than + noun (object).

The second item of comparison can be omitted if it is clear from the context (final example below).

Examples
  • My house is larger than hers.
  • This box is smaller than the one I lost.
  • Your dog runs faster than Jim's dog.
  • The rock flew higher than the roof.
  • Jim and Jack are both my friends, but I like Jack better. ("than Jim" is understood)

    • Superlative adjectives

    Noun (subject) + verb + the + superlative adjective + noun (object).

    The group that is being compared with can be omitted if it is clear from the context (final example below).

    Examples
  • My house is the largest one in our neighborhood.
  • This is the smallest box I've ever seen.
  • Your dog ran the fastest of any dog in the race.
  • We all threw our rocks at the same time. My rock flew the highest. ("of all the rocks" is understood)

    • Superlative adjectives are used to describe an object which is at the upper or lower limit of a quality (the tallest, the smallest, the fastest, the highest). They are used in sentences where a subject is compared to a group of objects.

    The Comparison of Adjectives

    Comparison of monosyllabic adjectives

    Monosyllabic adjectives are compared with -er, -est.

    positive comparative superlative
    strong stronger strongest
    small smaller smallest
    late later latest
    nice nicer nicest
    big bigger biggest
    thin thinner thinnest
    fat later fattest

    Example: London is bigger than Vienna.

    Comparison of disyllabic adjectives

    Disyllabic adjectives ending with y, er, ow, le are compared with -er, -est.

    positive comparative superlative
    easy easier easiest
    happy happier happiest
    clever cleverer cleverest
    narrow narrower narrowest

    Example: Which is the easiest exercise?

    Comparison of all the other adjectives

    All the other adjectives are compared with more, most.

    positive comparative superlative
    careful more careful most careful
    expensive more expensive most expensive
    difficult more difficult most difficult
    tired more tired most tired
    terrible more terrible most terrible

    Which dress is more expensive? Which dress is the most expensive?

    Comparison of special adjectives

    Special adjectives can be compared with -er, -est or more, most.

    positive comparative superlative
    clever cleverer / more clever cleverest / most clever
    common commoner / more common commonest / most common
    likely likelier / more likely likeliest / most likely
    pleasant pleasanter / more pleasant pleasantest / most pleasant
    polite politer / more polite politest / most polite
    quiet quieter / more quiet quietest / most quiet
    stupid stupider / more stupid stupidest / most stupid
    sure surer / more sure surest / most sure
    subtle subter / more subtle subtlest / most subtle
    Simple Simpler / more Simple Simplest / most Simple

    Irregular Comparison Forms

    A small number of adjectives are irregular in the way they make comparative and superlative forms.

    The normal (regular) way to make comparative and superlative adjectives is to add -er/-est or use more/most, like this:

  • big → bigger → biggest
  • expensive → more expensive → most expensive

    • Irregular adjectives use completely different forms. Note, however, that some adjectives can be both regular and irregular, sometimes with a slight change in meaning. The most important irregular adjectives are listed in the table below.

    positive comparative superlative
    good better best
    bad worse worst
    much more most
    many more most
    little less least

    (not) as ... as

    Anna is as tall as Mary.

    I think tomorrow it will be as hot as today.

    This test was not as difficult as the last one.

    You play tennis better than I do.

    This is the least expensive sweater in the store.

    This sweater is less expensive than that one.