Let’s look at a chart showing the comparative and superlative forms of the word for the most basic one syllable adjectives, where we add ‘er’ for the comparative and ‘est’ for the superlative. *Note: When the adjective follows the CVC, or consonant, vowel, consonant spelling, the final consonant is doubled.

Comparative Adjectives

• I am faster than my friend.
• Arizona is hotter than Alaska.

Superlative Adjectives

• She is the tallest student.
• That was the shortest movie in the series.

Notice the other words around the comparative and superlative adjectives. Most comparatives are followed by ‘than’, and most superlatives follow the word ‘the’.

Two Syllable Adjectives

Now let’s look at a chart showing the comparative and superlative forms of the word for adjectives with two syllables. Comparative adjectives with two syllables can be formed by making the ‘er’ ending or by adding the words ‘more’ or ‘less’ before the adjective.

For superlative adjectives, you make the ‘est’ ending but use the word ‘most’ or ‘least’ instead of ‘more’ or ‘less’..

Comparative Adjectives

• She tends to be less passive than her brother.
• This quiz is simpler than the last one.

Superlative Adjectives

• Fall is the busiest shopping season.
• This is the most rapid method of delivery.

Notice again how the comparative adjectives are followed by ‘than’, and superlative adjectives follow the word ‘the’.

Three or More Syllable Adjectives

The chart below shows the comparative and superlative forms of the word for adjectives that are three or more syllables long. In these cases, we always add ‘more’ or ‘less’ before a comparative adjective and ‘most’ or ‘least’ before a superlative adjective.

Comparative Adjectives

I tend to be more reluctant than my friends when trying new things.
The noise at the pool was less bothersome than the noise on the beach.

Superlative Adjectives

• Her second compilation was the most exceptional of them all.
• Those were the least comfortable couches I have ever sat on.

Irregular Adjectives

When using comparative and superlative adjectives, it is important to note that there are a handful of irregular adjectives that don’t follow the rules above. The chart below shows these irregular adjectives along with their comparative and superlative forms.

Comparative Adjectives

• I did better than the rest of my class on the final.
• She ran farther in this race than she did in the last one.

Superlative Adjectives

• That was the best birthday present ever!
• I bought the least expensive souvenir that I could find.