Comparisons: Comparative and Superlative Forms

Some comparison words are just special forms of adjectives; instead of describing one thing, they describe the relationship between two or more things. For most adjectives, use the following guidelines when forming or using comparatives or superlatives:

Comparative:
used when comparing two things
usually formed by adding "–er" to the end of the word: happier, softer, faster, taller

Superlative:
used when comparing more than two things
usually formed by adding "–est" to the end of the word: happiest, softest, fastest, tallest

Special rules apply for irregular forms. Below is a list of those adjectives which have irregular comparative forms; beneath each is listed its comparative and superlative form.

good better / best	many more / most
bad worse / worst	little little, lesser, less / least
much more / most	far farther, further / farthest, furthest

Comparisons chapter | Back to Top