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HOW TO FORM THEM |
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Can you remember the five rules for forming the comparative and superlative of adjectives in
English? Let's check them here:
RULE 1
The comparative and superlative of adjectives of one
syllable are formed by adding -er and -est to the end
of the adjective: |
|
cold >>
colder
>>
coldest |
|
RULE 2
Adjectives ending with one vowel
followed by one consonant double the final consonant
before adding -er or -est: |
|
hot
>>
hotter
>>
hottest |
|
RULE 3
Two-syllable adjectives which
end in -y change the y to i and then add -er or -est: |
|
noisy
>>
noisier >>
noisiest |
|
RULE 4
For adjectives of two syllables or more (except for those ending in
-y) the
comparative and superlative are formed with more and most: |
|
beautiful
>> more beautiful
>> most
beautiful |
|
RULE 5
Remember some of the irregular comparatives and superlatives: |
|
good
>>
better
>>
best
bad
>>
worse
>>
worst
far
>>
farther/further
>>
farthest/furthest |
|
EXPRESSING SIMILARITY |
|
You can use as ... as ... to show similarity: |
|
In this southern island it is
as hot as the tropics most of the year. |
|
You can put nearly, almost or just in front of
as ...
as ...: |
|
London is
nearly as expensive as Tokyo.
In summer, Tokyo is just as hot as the desert. |
|
EXPRESSING DIFFERENCE |
|
When comparing, you can show difference in several
ways: |
|
A) not as/so
... as |
|
Life in the countryside is not
as fast as it is in Tokyo. |
|
You can also add nearly to not as/so
... as: |
|
Kyoto isn't
nearly as busy as Tokyo. |
|
B) as ... as ... with
twice, three times, half, a third, etc. |
|
Japan's car exports are
twice as high as Britain's.
Rice-growing is only half as
important as it used to be. |
|
C) -er than ... or
more/less ... than ... |
|
The mountains are generally
fresher than the cities.
Most people think spring is more beautiful than
summer.
England is less mountainous than Japan. |
|
You can put much, far, a lot, lots,
a little or a
bit in front of the comparative form of the adjective: |
|
The south of the country is
a lot warmer than the
north.
Traditional products are much less important than they
used to be. |
