Page 43 - English Grammar - 4

If an adjec� ve ends in a single consonant that is preceded by a vowel, we repeat the

consonant and add -er to form a compara� ve degree, and -est to form a superla� ve
degree.

Posi� ve Compara� ve (+ er) Superla� ve (+ est)

fat fa� er fa� est

thin thinner thinnest

big bigger biggest

red redder reddest

If an adjec� ve ends in -y and has a consonant before it, -y changes into

-ier to form the compara� ve degree and -iest to form the superla� ve degree.

Posi� ve Compara� ve (y → ier) Superla� ve (y → iest)

heavy heavier heaviest

muddy muddier muddiest

busy busier busiest

easy easier easiest

Some adjec� ves do not change at all. If an adjec� ve has two or more vowel sounds,
we add more to form the compara� ve degree and most to form the superla� ve

degree.

Posi� ve Compara� ve (more + posi� ve) Superla� ve (most + posi� ve)

useful more useful most useful

responsible more responsible most responsible Adjectives: Degrees of Comparison

important more important most important

exci� ng more exci� ng most exci� ng

Some adjec� ves form their compara� ve and superla� ve degrees in a diff erent

manner altogether.

Posi� ve Compara� ve Superla� ve

good be� er best

bad worse worst

li� le less least
many more most

much more most

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