Adjective – a word used to modify or describe a noun or pronoun.
Adverb – a word that is used to modify an adjective, verb, or adverb.
There are three forms of adjectives and adverbs used to show varying degrees of comparison: the positive, the comparative, and the superlative.
The positive form is used when there is no direct comparison being made to anything specific, but is used to offer a broad or general comparison.
The comparative form is used when two things are being compared with each other.
The superlative form is used when more than two things are being compared with one another.
Regular forms for one and two syllable words.
positive – no change (big, strong, long, etc.)
comparative – words end in "er" (bigger, stronger, longer, etc.)
superlative – words end in "est" (biggest, strongest, longest, etc.)
Regular forms for three or more syllable words.
positive – no change (understandable, comfortable, etc.)
comparative – use "more" (more understandable, more comfortable, etc.)
superlative – use "most" (most understandable, most comfortable, etc.)
Adverbs that end in "ly" always use "more" or "most", such as "more quickly" or "most quickly"..
Remember that these are general rules and many adjectives and adverbs have irregular forms.
Have a go and see how you do!
By Thomas Williams
Thomas Williams is a teacher at EC San Diego
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1. I am the ___ speaker in the class.
better
bestest
best
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2. Our teacher writes very ___.
good
well
best
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3. Of all the people I know, you study the ___.
leastest
less
least
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4. We think John is ___ than Bill.
more nervous
most nervous
nervouser
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5. Who is the ___ person you have ever spoken to?
intelligentest
most intelligent
more intelligent
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6. If I had to choose between Greg and Dan, Dan is ___
funny
funnier
the funniest
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7. This is ___
harder
most harder
more harder
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8. Of all three of you, she swims ___
worse
best
better
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9. Who is the ___ to succeed?
most like
least likely
likely
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10. Now I understand English ___
much better
the better
best
