English Comparatives and Superlatives

Comprehensive question-and-answer flashcards covering rules, irregular forms, and sentence structures for English comparatives and superlatives.

What is the standard sentence structure for comparing two nouns using a comparative adjective?

Noun (subject) + verb + comparative adjective + than + noun (object).

When can the second term of a comparison (such as "than Jim") be omitted in a sentence?

It can be omitted when it is understood from the context.

What is the sentence structure used to compare a subject with a group of objects using a superlative adjective?

Noun (subject) + verb + the + superlative adjective + noun (object).

How are the comparative and superlative formed for short, one-syllable adjectives like "tall"?

Add -er for the comparative ("taller than") and -est for the superlative ("the tallest").

What is the spelling rule for adjectives ending in -e (such as "nice") when forming comparatives and superlatives?

Add -er for the comparative ("nicer than") and -est for the superlative ("the nicest").

What spelling rule applies to one-syllable adjectives ending in a consonant + vowel + consonant (such as "big", "fat", or "sad")?

Duplicate the final consonant before adding the ending (e.g., bigger / biggest, fatter / fattest, sadder / saddest).

What rule applies to two-syllable adjectives ending in a consonant + y (such as "happy" or "busy")?

Change the -y to -i before adding -er or -est (e.g., happier / happiest, busier / busiest).

How do two-syllable adjectives like "tilted" and "tangled" form their comparative and superlative degrees?

By using more and most (e.g., more tilted / most tilted, more tangled / most tangled).

If you are unsure whether a two-syllable adjective can take the -er or -est suffix, what rule should you follow?

It is better to use more and most.

How are the comparative and superlative degrees formed for adjectives of three or more syllables (such as "expensive" or "important")?

Place more before the adjective for the comparative ("more expensive than") and most / the most for the superlative ("the most expensive").

What are the comparative and superlative forms of the irregular adjective "good"?

Comparative: better; Superlative: the best.

What are the comparative and superlative forms of the irregular adjective "bad"?

Comparative: worse; Superlative: the worst.

What are the comparative and superlative forms of the irregular adjective "little"?

Comparative: less; Superlative: the least.

What are the comparative and superlative forms of "much/many"?

Comparative: more; Superlative: the most.

What are the comparative and superlative forms of the irregular adjective "far"?

Comparative: further / farther; Superlative: the furthest / farthest.

What structure is used to express equality ("tan … como"), and what is an example?

As … as (e.g., "My car is as fast as yours.").

What structure is used to express negative equality ("no tan … como"), and what is an example?

Not as … as (e.g., "This exercise isn't as difficult as the last one.").

What structure is used to express inferiority ("menos … que"), and what is an example?

Less … than (e.g., "This restaurant is less expensive than that one.").

What meaning does the structure "The + comparative, the + comparative" convey, and what is an example?

It translates to "Cuanto más…, más…" (e.g., "The more you practise, the better you become." or "The more you study, the better you get.").

What meaning does the structure "Comparative + and + comparative" convey, and what is an example?

It translates to "Cada vez más…" (e.g., "The weather is getting colder and colder.").

How is the superlative of inferiority ("el menos") formed?

THE LEAST + adjective (e.g., "It is the least expensive car.").