Positive Form

Positive Form

Use the positive form of the adjective if the comparison contains one of the following expressions:



as … as



Example: Jane is as tall as John.



not as … as / not so … as



Example: John is not as tall as Arnie.



Comparative Form and Superlative Form (-er/-est)

one-syllable adjectives (clean, new, cheap)

two-syllable adjectives ending in -y or -er (easy, happy, pretty, dirty, clever)

positive form comparative form superlative form

clean cleaner (the) cleanest

Exceptions in spelling when adding -er / -est

silent ‘e’ is dropped

Example: late-later-latest



final ‘y’ after a consonant becomes i

Example: easy-easier-easiest



final consonant after short, stressed vowel is doubled

Example: hot-hotter-hottest



Comparative Form and Superlative Form (more/most)

adjectives of three or more syllables (and two-syllable adjectives not ending in -y/-er)

positive form comparative form superlative form

difficult more difficult most difficult

Comparative Form and Superlative Form (irregular comparisons)

positive form comparative form superlative form

good better best

bad / ill worse worst

little (amount) less least

little (size) smaller smallest

much / many more most

far (place + time) further furthest

far (place) farther farthest

late (time) later latest

late (order) latter last

near (place) nearer nearest

near (order) - next

old (people and things) older oldest

old (people) elder eldest

thanks

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