Positive Form
Use the positive form of the adjective if the comparison contains one of the following expressions:
as … as
Example: Jane is as tall as John.
not as … as / not so … as
Example: John is not as tall as Arnie.
Comparative Form and Superlative Form (-er/-est)
one-syllable adjectives (clean, new, cheap)
two-syllable adjectives ending in -y or -er (easy, happy, pretty, dirty, clever)
positive form comparative form superlative form
clean cleaner (the) cleanest
Exceptions in spelling when adding -er / -est
silent ‘e’ is dropped
Example: late-later-latest
final ‘y’ after a consonant becomes i
Example: easy-easier-easiest
final consonant after short, stressed vowel is doubled
Example: hot-hotter-hottest
Comparative Form and Superlative Form (more/most)
adjectives of three or more syllables (and two-syllable adjectives not ending in -y/-er)
positive form comparative form superlative form
difficult more difficult most difficult
Comparative Form and Superlative Form (irregular comparisons)
positive form comparative form superlative form
good better best
bad / ill worse worst
little (amount) less least
little (size) smaller smallest
much / many more most
far (place + time) further furthest
far (place) farther farthest
late (time) later latest
late (order) latter last
near (place) nearer nearest
near (order) - next
old (people and things) older oldest
Use the positive form of the adjective if the comparison contains one of the following expressions:
as … as
Example: Jane is as tall as John.
not as … as / not so … as
Example: John is not as tall as Arnie.
Comparative Form and Superlative Form (-er/-est)
one-syllable adjectives (clean, new, cheap)
two-syllable adjectives ending in -y or -er (easy, happy, pretty, dirty, clever)
positive form comparative form superlative form
clean cleaner (the) cleanest
Exceptions in spelling when adding -er / -est
silent ‘e’ is dropped
Example: late-later-latest
final ‘y’ after a consonant becomes i
Example: easy-easier-easiest
final consonant after short, stressed vowel is doubled
Example: hot-hotter-hottest
Comparative Form and Superlative Form (more/most)
adjectives of three or more syllables (and two-syllable adjectives not ending in -y/-er)
positive form comparative form superlative form
difficult more difficult most difficult
Comparative Form and Superlative Form (irregular comparisons)
positive form comparative form superlative form
good better best
bad / ill worse worst
little (amount) less least
little (size) smaller smallest
much / many more most
far (place + time) further furthest
far (place) farther farthest
late (time) later latest
late (order) latter last
near (place) nearer nearest
near (order) - next
old (people and things) older oldest
