positive - comparative - superlative

A - Comparison with -er/-est

clean - cleaner - (the) cleanest We use -er/-est with the following adjectives: 1) Adjectives with one syllable positive clean new cheap comparative cleaner newer cheaper superlative cleanest newest cheapest

2) Adjectives with two syllables and the following endings: 2 - 1) Adjectives with two syllables, ending in -y positive dirty easy happy pretty comparative dirtier easier happier prettier superlative dirtiest easiest happiest prettiest

2 - 2) Adjectives with two syllables, ending in -er positive clever comparative cleverer superlative cleverest

2 - 3) Adjectives with two syllables, ending in -le positive simple comparative simpler superlative simplest

2 - 4) Adjectives with two syllables, ending in -ow positive narrow comparative narrower superlative narrowest

3) Spelling of the adjectives using the endings -er/-est positive large big sad dirty shy comparative larger bigger sadder dirtier shyer superlative largest biggest saddest dirtiest shyest comment leave out the silent -e Double the consonant after short vowel Change -y to -i (consonant before -y) Here -y is not changed to -i. (although consonant before -y)

B - Comparison with more - most

positive difficult comparative more difficult superlative (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
positive good bad much many little little comparative better worse more more less smaller superlative best worst most most least smallest uncountable nouns countable nouns comment

D - Special adjectives
Some adjectives have two possible forms of comparison (-er/est and more/most).

positive clever common likely pleasant polite quiet simple stupid subtle sure

comparative cleverer / more clever commoner / more common likelier / more likely pleasanter / more pleasant politer / more polite quieter / more quiet simpler / more simple stupider / more stupid subtler / more subtle surer / more sure

superlative cleverest / most clever commonest / most common likeliest / most likely pleasantest / most pleasant politest / most polite quietest / most quiet simplest / most simple stupidest / most stupid subtlest / most subtle surest / most sure

E - Difference in meaning with adjectives:

positive comparative farther far further later late latter x old older elder nearer x superlative farthest furthest latest x last oldest eldest nearest next people and things people (family) distance order comment distance distance or time

near