|> Other English exercises on the same topic: | Comparisons [Change theme]|
|> Similar tests: - Placement test : grammar - Superlative + and adjective - Superlative - Comparative of superiority - Few/Little/Less - Comparatives - Superlative - The more ... the fewer ...|
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THE COMPARATIVE vs. THE SUPERLATIVE
For comparisons in larger groups, you must use the superlative. The superlative designates extremes: the best, the first, the worst, the last, etc.
|SUPERIORITY||a) Short adjectives: adj + -ER THAN|
Peter is taller than Sandra.
b) Long adjectives: MORE + adj + THAN
A Ferrari is more expensive than a Mini.
a) Short adjectives: THE + adj -EST
|EQUALITY||Short & long adjectives:|
AS... adjective... AS
English is as easy as German.
|INFERIORITY||Short & long adjectives:|
LESS + adjectif + THAN
July is less cold than January.
|Short & long adjectives:|
THE LEAST + adjective
This is the least interesting movie of the year!
Short adjectives: 1 syllable (eg: young) + 2-syllable adjectives ending in -y (eg: pretty)
Long adjectives: all the other adjectives
> If the adjective ends in '--y' the 'y' becomes 'i' : heavy --> heavier
> If the adjective ends in '--e' only an 'r' is needed: wise --> wiser
> If the adjective ends with 'single vowel + consonant' the consonant is doubled and one adds '--er' : big --> bigger
> Some very common adjectives have irregular comparatives: good --> better | bad --> worse | far --> farther
Irregular forms: good --> the best · bad --> the worst · far --> the farthest
Sentences 1 to 6 : comparatives
Sentences 7 and 8: superlatives