Good morning, all!
I’ve had my breakfast, so let’s jump right in to a riveting discussion about comparatives and superlatives.
In English, we form comparatives (adjectives that compare two things) in a few different ways depending on things like the number of syllables the adjective has and what letter the adjective ends with.
We form superlatives (adjectives that express the highest degree) using criteria that is similar, but just different enough to be tricky. The table below lays out the rules pretty simply and should reassure you that, instinctively, you know what you’re doing.
| Basic form | Comparative (rule) | Superlative (rule) | |
| One syllable | tall | taller(add –er) | the tallest(add the and –est) |
| One syllable (ends in vowel) | nice | nicer(add –r) | the nicest(add the and –st) |
| One syllable (consonant-vowel-consonant) |
wet | wetter(double the consonant and add –er) | the wettest(double the consonant; add the and –est) |
| Two syllables (ends in –y) | crazy | Crazier (delete –y and add –ier) | the craziest(delete –y; add the and –iest) |
| Two syllables | peaceful | more peaceful(add more) | the most peaceful(add most) |
| More than two syllables | beautiful | more beautiful(add more) | the most beautiful(add the and most) |
Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, I have to remind you about the exceptions, or what we fondly call “irregular words.”
| Basic form | Comparative | Superlative |
| good | better | the best |
| bad | worse | the worst |
| little | less | the least |
For native English speakers, most of this is instinctive because you’ve heard it all your life. English language learners often have a hard time, though, because English includes so many exceptions and irregularities.
And speaking of irregular things, I know where I’m going on my next vacation:
I hope your Monday is as good as a Friday.
Donna Bradley Burcher | Technical Editor, Senior | Symitar®
8985 Balboa Ave. | San Diego, CA 92123 | Ph. 619.278.0432 | Ext: 765432
Editor's Corner 
Leave a comment