Comparison of adjectives
There are three forms of comparison:
positive положительная
comparative-сравнительная
superlative –превосходная
Односложные -Long
многосложные -beautiful
A - Comparison with -er/-est
clean - cleaner - (the) cleanest
We use -er/-est with the following adjectives:
adjectives with one syllable Односложные
comparative superlative
clean |
cleaner |
The cleanest |
new |
newer |
The newest |
cheap |
cheaper |
The cheapest |
2) adjectives with two syllables and the following endings:
2 - 1) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -y
dirty |
dirtier |
The dirtiest |
easy |
easier |
The easiest |
happy |
happier |
The happiest |
pretty |
prettier |
The prettiest |
2 - 2) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -er
clever |
cleverer |
The cleverest |
2 - 3) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -le
simple |
simpler |
The simplest |
2 - 4) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -ow
narrow |
narrower |
The narrowest |
Spelling of the adjectives using the endings -er/-est
large |
larger |
The largest |
leave out the silent -e |
big |
bigger |
The biggest |
Double the consonant after short vowel |
sad |
sadder |
The saddest |
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dirty |
dirtier |
The dirtiest |
Change -y to -i (consonant before -y) |
shy |
shyer |
The shyest |
Here -y is not changed to -i. (although consonant before -y) |
B - Comparison with more - most
difficult - more difficult - (the) most difficult
all adjectives with more than one syllable (except some adjectives with two syllables - see 2 - 1 to 2 - 4)
C - Irregular adjectives
good |
better |
the best |
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bad |
worse |
The worst |
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much |
more |
The most |
uncountable nouns |
many |
more |
The most |
countable nouns |
little |
less |
The least |
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Old |
1.older 2.elder |
1.the oldest 2. the eldest |
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Far 1.farther 1. the farthest
2.further 2. the furthest
D - Special adjectives
Some ajdectives have two possible forms of comparison.
common |
commoner / more common |
commonest /the most common |
likely |
likelier / more likely |
likeliest / the most likely |
pleasant |
pleasanter / more pleasant |
pleasantest / most pleasant |
polite |
politer / more polite |
politest / the most polite |
simple |
simpler / more simple |
simplest / the most simple |
stupid |
stupider / more stupid |
stupidest / the most stupid |
subtle |
subtler / more subtle |
the subtlest |
sure |
surer / more sure |
surest / most sure |
Difference in meaning with adjectives:
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far |
farther |
The farthest |
distance |
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further |
The furthest |
distance or time |
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late |
later |
The latest |
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latter |
The last |
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last |
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old |
older |
oldest |
people and things |
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elder |
eldest |
people (family) |
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near |
nearer |
nearest |
distance |
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x |
next |
order |
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Fill in the words in brackets as adjective or adverb like in the example. Example: Peter works ______ (slow). Answer: Peter works slowly. |
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Fill in the words in brackets as adjective or adverb like in the example. Example: Peter works ______ (slow). Answer: Peter works slowly. |
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Fill in the comparative and superlative forms of the adjectives. Example: new - _____ - _______ Answer: new - newer - newest |
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Fill in the comparative and superlative forms of the adjectives. Example: new - _____ - _______ Answer: new - newer - newest |
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reads
a book. (quick)
-