Welcome! When English learners discuss the world around them, they often want to describe which thing is better, worse, or the absolute best. This requires knowing how to use comparative and superlative adjectives.
Today, we are going to learn how to compare two things, and how to describe the "number one" thing in a group using English spelling rules.
warning Common Mistake
In English, we use -er / -est for short words (like "taller") and more / most for long words (like "more beautiful"). Never use both together! It is incorrect to say "more taller" or "most biggest."
Interactive Vocabulary
Short Adjective
Tall / Taller / Tallest
Used to describe height. Add -er for two things, and -est for three or more.
Example: The new office is the tallest building in the city.
Short Adjective
Hot / Hotter / Hottest
Having a high degree of heat. Note: Double the 't' before adding the ending.
Example: April is usually the hottest month of the year.
Long Adjective
Beautiful / More / Most
Since this word has three syllables, we use more and most instead of adding endings.
Example: The temple is the most beautiful place in the province.
Long Adjective
Delicious / More / Most
Used for tasting great. Use more and most for this long word.
Example: The soup is good, but the curry is more delicious!
Irregular
Good / Better / Best
An irregular adjective. It completely changes its spelling to compare.
Example: November is the best time to visit because the weather is cool.
Irregular
Far / Further / Furthest
Used for measuring long distances. (Note: "Farther/Farthest" is also correct).
Example: Which town is the furthest from the capital?
Knowledge Check
map Planning a Trip
You are planning a vacation. Which sentence is grammatically correct?
(Hint: "Good" is an irregular adjective.)
restaurant Dinner Time
"This food is __________ than the pizza we had yesterday."
(Hint: You are comparing TWO things using a long adjective.)
thermostat Weather Report
How do you describe the month of April using the word "Hot"?
(Hint: You are comparing it to ALL other months.)
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Lesson Complete!
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Study Resources
Lesson Summary & Review
Let's review the key concepts covered in the interactive module above to ensure you are ready to compare things in English.
The Basic Rules
Adjectives describe nouns. We use comparative and superlative forms to compare them.
- Comparative: Comparing TWO things. (Example: "A bus is faster than a bicycle.")
- Superlative: Comparing THREE OR MORE things. (Example: "An airplane is the fastest.")
Short Words vs. Long Words
- Short Words (1 syllable): Add -er or -est. (Tall → Taller → Tallest).
- Long Words (3+ syllables): Use more or most before the word. (Beautiful → More beautiful → Most beautiful).
Remember the golden rule: Never mix the two rules together! You cannot say "more taller" or "most biggest."
