Word
Comparativ Superlative
e
short
shorter
shortest
pretty
prettier
prettiest
simple
simpler
simplest
fast
faster
fastest
With longer adjectives and with adverbs ending in
-ly, add more and most. Note: less and least are used with adjectives of any
length (such as bright, less bright, least bright).
Word
Comparativ Superlative
e
intelligent more
intelligent
most
intelligent
carefully
most
carefully
more
carefully
dangerou less
s
dangerous
least
dangerous
If you cannot decide whether to use an -er/-est form or more/most, consult a
dictionary. If there is an -er/-est form, the dictionary will say so.
Note: Do not use the -er form with more or the -est form with most.
Faulty
The first poem was more better than the second.
Revised
The first poem was better than the second.
Irregular Forms
The following are irregular comparative and superlative forms.
Word
Comparativ Superlative
e
good
better
best
bad
worse
worst
much/many
more
most
well
better
best
bad
worse
worst
Irregular Comparisons
A few of the comparatives and superlatives in English do not follow the usual
pattern. Here is a list of common exceptions.
Positive
Comparative
Superlative
bad
worse
worst
badly
worse
worst
far(distance)
farther
farthest
far(extent)
further
furthest
good
better
best
ill
worse
worst
late
later
latest or last
less
lesser
least
little(amount)
less
least
many
more
most
much
more
most
well
better
best
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.
adjective
compara
tive
superla
tive
good
better
the best
Tara is the best athlete in the
school.
well (healthy)
better
the best
He is still in hospital, but he is
better than he was last week.
bad
worse
the
worst
You are the worst driver I have ever
known.
far
further
the
furthest
My house is the furthest one.
example sentence
compara
tive
superla
tive
farther
the
farthest
My house is the farther one.
old (people in a
family)
elder
the
eldest
Ram is my elder brother.
old (general
use)
older
the
oldest
Your teacher is older than my
teacher.
adjective
example sentence