When we compare people, things, or actions, we use different forms of adjectives. These different forms are called positive, comparative, and superlative adjectives.
Positive Adjectives
A positive adjective is the simplest form of an adjective. It is used to describe the quality or characteristic of a person, thing, or action.
For example:
- My cat is cute.
- The book is interesting.
- He is tall.
Comparative Adjectives
Comparative adjectives are used to compare two people, things, or actions. They are formed by adding -er to the end of the positive adjective.
For example:
- My cat is cuter than yours.
- The book is more interesting than the movie.
- He is taller than his brother.
Superlative Adjectives
Superlative adjectives are used to compare three or more people, things, or actions. They are formed by adding -est to the end of the positive adjective.
For example:
- My cat is the cutest of all.
- The book is the most interesting of all.
- He is the tallest of all his friends.
Exceptions
There are some adjectives that have irregular comparative and superlative forms:
- Good, better, best
- Bad, worse, worst
- Little, less, least
- Much/many, more, most
Using than and the with comparatives and superlatives When using comparatives and superlatives, we use than and the to show the comparison.
For example:
- The elephant is bigger than the dog. (Comparative)
- The elephant is the biggest animal in the zoo. (Superlative)
Practice
Let’s practice by filling in the blanks with the correct form of the adjective:
- The book is (good) ________________ than the movie.
- That tree is (tall) ________________ than the other one.
- This is (fun) ________________ game I’ve ever played.
- She is (smart) ________________ person in the class.
- My sister is (pretty) ________________ than me.
Answers:
- The book is better than the movie. (Comparative)
- That tree is taller than the other one. (Comparative)
- This is the most fun game I’ve ever played. (Superlative)
- She is the smartest person in the class. (Superlative)
- My sister is prettier than me. (Comparative)
Positive adjectives describe the quality or characteristic of a person, thing, or action. Comparative adjectives are used to compare two people, things, or actions, and superlative adjectives are used to compare three or more people, things, or actions. To use than and the when using comparatives and superlatives, and that there are some adjectives with irregular forms.