Comparatives and Superlatives in English
Comparatives and superlatives are the forms of adjectives (and some adverbs) we use to compare things. A comparative compares two things; a superlative compares one thing against a whole group.
This guide is for A2 to B1 learners. It shows how the forms change with the length of the adjective, lists the common irregular ones, and covers the mistakes learners make most. Three exercises let you practise straight away.
A quick video summary
What are comparatives and superlatives?
A comparative compares two things: “Anna is taller than Ben.”
A superlative compares one thing against a group: “Anna is the tallest in the class.”
How comparatives and superlatives are formed
The rule depends on how many syllables the adjective has:
| Type of adjective | Example | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 syllable | hard | harder | hardest |
| 2 syllables ending in -y | pretty | prettier | prettiest |
| 2 syllables, not ending in -y | simple | simpler / more simple | simplest / most simple |
| 3 or more syllables | comfortable | more comfortable | most comfortable |
Irregular comparatives and superlatives
A few common adjectives do not follow the rule and have to be learned:
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| good | better | best |
| bad | worse | worst |
| little | less | least |
| much | more | most |
| far | further / farther | furthest / farthest |
Comparing things is part of everyday English. Book a free trial lesson and practise comparatives and superlatives with an experienced native teacher, no credit card needed.
Book my free trialCommon mistakes with comparatives and superlatives
- Doubling the comparative. Use one form only: “more comfortable” or “comfortabler” (wrong); never “more comfortabler”. And never “more better” – just better.
- Adding both -er and more. “more taller” is wrong; say taller.
- Using then instead of than. Comparisons take than: “bigger than mine”, not “bigger then mine”.
- Dropping the before a superlative. Say “the best day”, not “best day”.
Practice exercises
Try this exercise and check your results straight away.
Quick self-check
Complete or fix each sentence, then reveal the answers.
1. This box is ___ (heavy) than that one.
2. It was the ___ (good) film of the year.
3. Today is ___ (hot) than yesterday.
Show answers
1. heavier. 2. best. 3. hotter.
How did that go? Getting the forms right on paper is a start; using them naturally as you speak is the goal. In a free trial lesson, an experienced native teacher will help you get there.
Try a free trial lessonFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between a comparative and a superlative?
How do you form the comparative of a short adjective?
When do you use more and most instead of -er and -est?
What are the irregular comparatives?
Do you say taller than or taller then?
Key takeaways
- A comparative compares two things; a superlative compares one against a group.
- Short adjectives take -er / -est; long ones take more / most.
- Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y take -ier / -iest.
- Learn the irregulars: good/better/best, bad/worse/worst, far/further/furthest.
- Use than with comparatives and the with superlatives.
Keep learning
- Quantifiers
- Adverbs of frequency
- More free English grammar guides
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Written and reviewed by the experienced native English teachers at Live English, online since 2007.