Comparative and Superlative

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Comparative

and

Superlative

Comparative and Superlative

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When we compare things we use a different form of the adjective:

fat fatter fattest

Comparative and Superlative

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•We say that fatter is the comparative form of fat – we are comparing them.

•We say that fattest is the superlative form of fat.

Comparative and Superlative

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Find the comparative and superlative form of:

high

Comparative and Superlative

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high

higher

highest

Comparative and Superlative

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large long warm

Find the comparative and superlative form of:

Comparative and Superlative

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large larger largest

long longer longest

warm warmer warmest

Comparative and Superlative

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Sometimes, instead, we use an extra word before the adjective:

comfortablemore

comfortablemost

comfortable

Comparative and Superlative

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We say that more comfortable is the comparative form of comfortable – we are

comparing them.

We say that most comfortable is the superlative form of comfortable.

Comparative and Superlative

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Most words of more than one syllable use more and most

What is the comparative form of miserable?

more miserable

and the superlative?

most miserable

Comparative and Superlative

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more unusual

most unusual

more intelligent

most intelligent

Find the comparative and superlative form of:

unusual intelligent

Comparative and Superlative

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There are some exceptions:

happier happiesthappy

• Words ending in –y add –ier and -iest

Comparative and Superlative

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cleverer cleverest

quieter quietestquiet

clever

Some two-syllable words add –er and –est:

• clever and quiet add –er and -est

sssh sssh sssh

or

Comparative and Superlative

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A few three syllable words add –ier and –iest:

unhappy unhappier unhappiest

unlucky unluckier unluckiest

Comparative and Superlative

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A small group of words can add -er and –est or use more and most:

common

gentle

pleasant

shallow

stupid

cruel

narrow

polite

simple

Comparative and Superlative

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A few words change completely in the comparative and superlative:

good

better

best

bad

worse

worst

Comparative and Superlative

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A few words cannot have a comparative or superlative.

Why?

Because they are already absolute

e.g. unique perfect

Comparative and Superlative

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Some for you to try:

Find the comparative and superlative of:

small

popular

famous

spotless

well

cruel

smaller smallest

more popular most popular

more famous most famous

spotless spotless

better best

crueller/more cruel

cruellest/most cruel