Adjectives are terms that describe, identify, or quantify nouns and pronouns. They enhance our writing by providing additional details about nouns and pronouns.
Comparative Adjectives
Comparative adjectives serve the purpose of comparing two entities—they assist in illustrating the differences between two nouns.
Comparative Adjective Sentence Formula
Typically, comparative adjectives are employed in the following sentence format:
Noun (subject) + verb + comparative adjective + then + noun (object)
Example Sentence
My television is larger than my computer.
My television is larger than my computer.
In certain instances, the sentence may conclude after the comparative adjective without including the object of comparison. This structure is feasible when the context has supplied sufficient information to clarify the comparison.
Example Sentence
My brother stands at 6 feet in height, yet my father is of greater stature. (The phrase “than my brother” is understood)
Superlative Adjectives
Superlative adjectives serve the purpose of comparing three or more entities. They assist in describing items at both extremes of a spectrum (for instance, smallest and largest, tallest and shortest).
Superlative Adjective Sentence Formula
Typically, superlative adjectives are employed in the following sentence structure:
Noun (subject) + verb + the + superlative adjective + noun (object)
Example Sentence
My English professor + is + the + smartest + person.
My English professor is the smartest person.
Similar to comparative adjectives, the object of comparison may occasionally be omitted.
Example Sentence
Today, we took an exam in class, and I achieved the highest score. (The phrase “in the class” is understood)
Creating Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
Transforming an adjective into its comparative or superlative form is contingent upon the number of syllables present in the base form of the adjective (e.g., small, tall, big).
One-Syllable Adjectives
For comparative adjectives, the suffix -er will be appended, while -est will be used for superlative adjectives. If the adjective contains a single vowel situated between two consonants (consonant + single vowel + consonant), the second consonant will be duplicated.
Example of a Comparative Adjective with a Single Vowel Between Two Consonants
Adjective: hot
h (consonant) + o (single vowel) + t (second consonant)
Comparative form: hotter
h (consonant) + o (single vowel) + tt (doubled second consonant) + er (comparative suffix)
In a sentence: The temperature is hotter today than it was yesterday.
Two-Syllable Adjectives
For comparative adjectives, the suffix -er is added, or it is preceded by more. For superlative adjectives, the suffix -est is added, or it is preceded by most. Occasionally, both forms may be utilized, but one will generally be more prevalent. In cases of uncertainty, it is advisable to use more or most rather than a suffix. For adjectives that end in y, the y will change to an i, followed by the appropriate suffix.
Adjective Comparative Superlative
gentle – gentler – gentlest
clumsy – clumsier – clumsiest
happy – happier – happiest
anxious – more anxious – most anxious
polite – more polite – most polite
Three Syllables or More
Comparative adjectives will be preceded by more, and superlative adjectives will be preceded by
most.
Adjective Comparative Superlative
important – more important – most important
attractive – more attractive – most attractive
embarrassed – more embarrassed – most embarrassed
Irregular Adjectives and Exceptions
While there are numerous guidelines for writing in English, these guidelines frequently contain irregularities and exceptions.
Sometimes, the anomalies exhibit a pattern that makes them easily identifiable, but this is not true for comparative and superlative adjectives. Unconventional adjectives must simply be memorized.
Irregular adjectives
Adjectives are considered irregular when their comparative and superlative forms do not conform to the rules outlined in this document. The chart below presents several examples of irregular adjectives.