Daily Grammar Lessons – Adjectives Lesson 8

Adjectives can be used in comparisons which means we change the form of the adjective when speaking of one, two, or more than two. They change either by adding er or est to the adjective or by using the words more or most before the adjective. Some are irregular in their form and must be memorized or looked up in the dictionary. The dictionary gives the forms for most words using er or est to form comparisons.

The three degrees of comparison are called (1) positive, which states a quality of one thing or person, (2) comparative which compares two things or persons, and (3) superlative which compares more than two things or persons.

Examples: positive - new, careless, good; comparative - newer, more careless, better; superlative - newest, most careless, best

Instructions: Write the comparative and superlative forms of the following adjectives.

1. jolly

Answer: jolly, jollier, jolliest

2. honest

Answer: honest, honester, honestest

3. dim

Answer: dim, more dim, most dim

4. friendly

Answer: friendly, friendlier, friendliest

5. little

Answer: little, littler, littelest

In comparison of adjectives, one-syllable adjectives and some two-syllable adjectives (especially those ending in y or le) form the comparative with er and the superlative with est. Examples: new, newer, newest; jolly, jollier, jolliest.

Instructions: Write the correct comparative and superlative forms for the following adjectives.

6. glad

Answer: glad, gladder, gladdest

7. prompt

Answer: prompt, prompter, promptest

8. small

Answer: small, smaller, smallest

9. noble

Answer: noble, more noble, most noble

10. funny

Answer: funny, funnier, funniest

Many two-syllable adjectives and almost all adjectives with three or more syllables use more or most to form the comparative and superlative forms. Examples: honest, more honest, most honest; careful, more careful, most careful.

Instructions: Write the comparative and superlative forms for these words.

11. interesting

Answer: interesting, more interesting, most interesting

12. critical

Answer: crictical, criticaler, criticalest

13. splendid

Answer: splendid, more splendid, most splendid

14. delicious

Answer: delicious, more delicious, most delicious

15. outstanding

Answer: outstanding, more outstanding, most outstanding

There are a few adjectives that are irregular in their comparisons.

Examples: good, better, best.

Instructions: Give the comparative and superlative forms of the following words.

16. many

Answer: many, more, most

17. ill

Answer: ill, iller, illest

18. much

Answer: much, more, most

19. perfect

Answer: perfect, perfecter, perfectest

20. bad

Answer: bad, badder, baddest

Never use double comparisons. If you use er or est, then don't use more or most. Correct: He is busier than I. Incorrect: He is more busier than I.

Instructions: Chose the correct form in the following sentences.

21. Yesterday we played our _________ concert.

22. I am ___________ now.

23. Who is the _____________ of the four sisters?

24. Is this the ____________ value that you have?

25. John is the ____________ kid I know.