Comparisons

The coach is cheap. It is slow, though. The train is more expensive than the coach. It is also faster. The plane is the most expensive of all. It is also the fastest.

♦ For comparison, adj have got 2 forms: the comparative / superlative.

♦ We use the comparative form + than to compare two things, etc.

A is shorter than B. This chair is more comfortable than the other one.

♦ We use the + superlative form + of/in to compare one person, thing, etc with more than one person, thing, etc. in the same group. We use in when we talk about places.

Peter is the smartest of all my students.

'Don's' is the most expensive restaurant in our town.

♦ The comparative of one-syllable adjectives is formed by adding -er, and the superlative by adding -est. e.g. soft - softer - softest The comparative of real, right and wrong is formed with more and the superlative with most. e.g. real - more real - most real Some one-syllable adjectives of abstract meaning such as clear, safe, true, free, wise, etc. take either -er/-est or more/most. e.g. clear - clearer - clearest OR clear - more clear - most clear

♦ The comparative of two-syllable adjectives ending in -y is formed by adding -ier and the superlative by adding -iest. e.g. easy - easier - easiest (more usual) Also easy - more easy - most easy (less usual)

Some two-syllable adjectives such as: clever, common, stupid, narrow, gentle, friendly, simple, etc. take either -er -est or more/most.

common - commoner - commonest OR common - more common - most common

♦ The comparative of adjectives ending in -ing (interesting), -ed (pleased), -ful (careful) and -less (careless) is formed with more and the superlative with most. e.g. thrilling - more thrilling - most thrilling

♦ The comparative of adjectives of three or more syllables is formed with more and the superlative with most: intelligent - more intelligent - most intelligent

♦ The comparative and superlative forms of adverbs are formed in the same way as those of adjectives.

♦ Adverbs which have the same form as the adjective usually take -er in the comparative and -est in the superlative: hard - harder - hardest late - later - latest

♦ Adverbs formed by adding -ly to the adjective take more in the comparative and most in the superlative form: comfortably - more comfortably -most comfortably

♦ Irregular comparisons (adjective/adverb – comparative – superlative)

good/well – better – best, bad/badly – worse – worst, much/many/a lot of – more – most, little – less – least, far - further/farther - furthest/farthest

a) further/farther (adv) = longer (in distance)

Barclays Bank is further/farther away than Lloyds. further (adj) = more e.g. Let's hope there won't be any further delays. (NOT: farther delays)

b) elder/eldest (+noun) (adj) = for members of a family: My elder brother is a doc. BUT: My brother is older than me. (NOT: elder then)

♦ We use adjectives or their comparative or superlative forms with the following words:

a) very + adjective: It's very cold today.

b) even / a lot / much / far / a bit / a little / slightly + comparative: He seems much better today.

c) by far + super: Shes by far the most beautiful woman Ive ever seen.

d) most + adj/adv = very: This is most unusual. (It is very unusual.)

e) any/no + comparative (its used in questions/negations): The days aren't getting any warmer. I want no more of that kind of behavior.