English Grammar

Formation of the Comparative and the Superlative

Most adjectives of one syllable and some of two form the comparative by adding –er and the superlative by adding –est to the positive.

Tall; taller; tallest
Big; bigger; biggest
Smart; smarter; smartest
High; higher; highest
Rich; richer; richest

When the positive adjective ends in –e, only –r and –st are added.

Large; larger; largest
Brave; braver; bravest
Fine; finer; finest
Wise; wiser; wisest

When the positive adjective ends in –y and is preceded by a consonant, -y is changed into –i before adding –er and –est.

Heavy; heavier; heaviest
Easy; easier; easiest
Happy; happier; happiest

Most adjectives of two or more syllables form the comparative by adding more before the positive and form the superlative by adding most before the positive.

Difficult; more difficult; most difficult
Careful; more careful; most careful
Beautiful; more beautiful; most beautiful
Intelligent; more intelligent; most intelligent

Some adjectives form their comparative and superlative irregularly.

Good; better; best
Bad; worse; worst
Ill; worse; worst
Late; later; latest
Much; more; most
Little; less; least