3. Adjectives (Comparisons)

Adjectives of:	Positive	Comparative	Superlative
one syllable	Tall	Taller (than)	The tallest (of/in)
two syllables ending in -er, -ly, -y, -w	Happy Friendly	Happier (than) Friendlier (than)	The happiest (of/in) The friendliest (of/in)
two or more syllables	Modern	More modern (than)	The most modern (of/in)

3.1 Write the comparative or superlative of the adjectives in brackets:

1. It's warmer today than it was yesterday. (warm)

2. This is the most expensive dress in the shop. (expensive)

3. What's the _____________ mountain in your country? (high)

4. This car is too small. We need to get a _____________ one. (big)

5. It was the _______________________ music I've ever heard. (beautiful)

6. Your computer is _______________________ than mine. (modern)

7. Australia is the earth's _____________continent. (old)

8. My sister was always ______________ than me. (pretty)

9. This year's exam was __________________ than last year's. (difficult)

10. This is the __________________ pan we've got. (large)

Irregular forms:

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
Good/well	Better	The best
Bad/badly	Worse	The worst
Much	More	The most
Many
Little	Less	The least
Far	Further/farther	The furthest/the farthest

Comparative constructions:

1. As … (positive) … as Not so/as … (positive) … as	Paul is as heavy as Tom. Jane is not so/as tall as Mary.
2. Less … (positive) … than The least … (positive) … of/in	Betty is less hard-working than Kate but Jean is the least hard-working of all.
3. The + comparative …, the + comparative	The harder you work, the more money you earn.

3.2 Complete these sentences:

1. The weather is much warmer than it usually is at this time. (warm)

2. Going by car took twice as long as going by train. (long)

3. It was by far the worst time of my life. (bad)

4. The train's a lot ____________ all the other ways of getting there. (fast)

5. This exam was a bit _____________________ all the other tests. (easy)

6. I think English spelling is by far ____________________. (difficult)

7. The food isn't nearly ________________ it has been in the past. (good)

8. She's a bit ______________________________ her brother. (sensitive)

9. Flying's a lot _____________________ going by car. (quick)

10. First class is much _________________________ second. (expensive)

11. This is easily ______________________ restaurant in London. (good)

12. Ellen was a bit ________________________ she usually is. (cheerful)

13. He's not nearly ________________________ his sister. (intelligent)

14. The journey was three times ______________ we had expected. (long)

15. The film wasn't ________________ I had thought it would be. (good)