Comparative and Superlative Forms by Pattern
Pattern 1: Simple Addition (-er, -est)
Rule: One syllable adjectives - just add -er/-est
Base Comparative Superlative
tall taller tallest
fast faster fastest
slow slower slowest
cheap cheaper cheapest
high higher highest
low lower lowest
old older oldest
young younger youngest
long longer longest
short shorter shortest
Pattern 2: Drop 'e' and Add (-er, -est)
Rule: One syllable ending in 'e' - drop the 'e' first
Base Comparative Superlative
large larger largest
nice nicer nicest
fine finer finest
wide wider widest
safe safer safest
late later latest
white whiter whitest
close closer closest
Pattern 3: Double Consonant + (-er, -est)
Rule: One syllable with consonant-vowel-consonant pattern - double the final consonant
Base Comparative Superlative
big bigger biggest
hot hotter hottest
fat fatter fattest
thin thinner thinnest
sad sadder saddest
wet wetter wettest
red redder reddest
Pattern 4: Change 'y' to 'i' + (-er, -est)
Rule: Two syllables ending in 'y' - change 'y' to 'i'
Base Comparative Superlative
happy happier happiest
easy easier easiest
busy busier busiest
heavy heavier heaviest
funny funnier funniest
pretty prettier prettiest
dirty dirtier dirtiest
early earlier earliest
lazy lazier laziest
lucky luckier luckiest
Pattern 5: More/Most (Long Adjectives)
Rule: Three or more syllables - use more/most
Base Comparative Superlative
beautiful more beautiful most beautiful
expensive more expensive most expensive
important more important most important
interesting more interesting most interesting
difficult more difficult most difficult
comfortable more comfortable most comfortable
dangerous more dangerous most dangerous
popular more popular most popular
terrible more terrible most terrible
wonderful more wonderful most wonderful
Pattern 6: Two Syllables - Either Way
Rule: Some two-syllable adjectives can use either pattern
Base Comparative Superlative
simple simpler/more simple simplest/most simple
gentle gentler/more gentle gentlest/most gentle
narrow narrower/more narrow narrowest/most narrow
clever cleverer/more clever cleverest/most clever
quiet quieter/more quiet quietest/most quiet
Pattern 7: Irregular Forms (Memorize These!)
Rule: These don't follow any pattern - must be memorized
Base Comparative Superlative
good better best
bad worse worst
far farther/further farthest/furthest
little less least
much/many more most
old older/elder oldest/eldest
Pattern 8: Adjectives That Only Use More/Most
Rule: These two-syllable adjectives always use more/most
Base Comparative Superlative
boring more boring most boring
tired more tired most tired
careful more careful most careful
useful more useful most useful
worried more worried most worried
pleased more pleased most pleased
anxious more anxious most anxious
famous more famous most famous
Quick Memory Tips:
Short words (1 syllable): Usually add -er/-est Words ending in 'y': Change to -ier/-iest
Long words (3+ syllables): Use more/most Irregular words: Just memorize the 7 main ones When in
doubt: More/most is usually safe for longer words
