Comparative and superlative

I) Comparative
We can compare things in three different ways:
1. A = B; A ≠ B
2. A > B
3. A < B

1. A = B; A ≠ B

A is as big as B.
A is so big as B.
A is the same colour as B.
A B
A isn’t as big as B.
A isn’t so big as B.
A isn’t the same colour as B.
A B

2. A > B

In here, we have to make a distinction between:

a) Adjectives of 1/2 syllables
b) Adjectives of 2/3 syllables.

a) Adjectives of 1/2 syllables

Peter is taller than Mary.

Peter is older than Mary.
Mary is happier than Peter.

Peter Mary

© Núria Abad Riva, EOI Martorell

Grammar sheet 14
Level A1 – Elementary
 b) Adjectives of 2/3 syllables

Peter is more irritating than Mary.

Mary is more intelligent than Peter.

Peter Mary

Number of syllables Form

1 -er than
2 (those which finish in –y) -er than (happy)
2 (those which finish in -ful,-less, -ing, -ed) more ... than (useful, useless, boring, bored)
2 (the rest) -er ... than
more... than (dictionary needed)
3/more than 3 more... than

Examples:
- Chinese is more difficult than English. (3)
- A bike is slower than a train. (1)
- John is thinner than Bob. (1)
- My house is smaller than my friend's house (1)
- The shops are always more crowded just before Christmas. (2 - ed)
- Grace is luckier than Fred. (2 – y)

Spelling changes
1. If the adjective has one syllable, with the structure consonant + vowel + consonant,
b i g
the last consonant is doubled.
Big - bigger thin - thinner fat – fatter

2. If the adjective ends in –y and it has two syllables, -y changes into –i

Happy – happier lucky – luckier busy – busier

© Núria Abad Riva, EOI Martorell

Grammar sheet 14
Level A1 – Elementary
 3. A < B

Mary is less tall than Peter.

Mary is less old than Peter.
Peter is less happy than Mary.
Mary is less irritating than Peter.
Peter is less intelligent than Mary.
Peter Mary

II) Superlative

When we use a superlative, we don’t compare, we say that somebody or something is “el que més” or “el
que menys”.

a) “El que més”

B is the biggest.

A B C
Charles is the tallest.
Harry is the most handsome.
Jake is the most intelligent.

Harry Jake Charles

The same rules and the same spelling changes as in comparative 2 apply.

b) “El que menys”

A is the least dark.

C is the least big.
A B C

The preposition in superlatives is in:

Peter is the tallest in the class.
Italian food is the best food in the world.

© Núria Abad Riva, EOI Martorell

Grammar sheet 14
Level A1 – Elementary
 III) Irregular comparatives and superlatives

Adjective Comparative Superlative

Good Better than The best
Bad Worse than The worst
Far Farther than The farthest
Further than The furthest
Much More than The most
Little Less than The least

© Núria Abad Riva, EOI Martorell

Grammar sheet 14
Level A1 – Elementary