Page 49 - English Grammar - 6

Adjectives that end in -y and preceded by a consonant form their comparative form by
adding -ier and superlative form by adding -iest in place of -y.

Positive Comparative Superlative
pretty prettier prettiest
lazy lazier laziest

breezy breezier breeziest
happy happier happiest
dirty dirtier dirtiest

When a single syllable adjective ends in a single consonant that is preceded by a short
vowel, the consonant is doubled and -er is added to make the comparative form and -est to
make the superlative form.

Positive Comparative Superlative
slim slimmer slimmest
big bigger biggest

fat fatter fattest
glad gladder gladdest
fit fitter fittest

When an adjective is made up of more than two syllables, more is added to form the
comparative form and most is added to form the superlative form.

Positive Comparative Superlative
beautiful more beautiful most beautiful
handsome more handsome most handsome

difficult more difficult most difficult
intelligent more intelligent most intelligent

The previous rule also applies for two-syllable adjectives that end in -ful, -less, -ing, and
-ed.
Positive Comparative Superlative Adjectives: Degrees of Comparison

useful more useful most useful
hopeless more hopeless most hopeless
surprised more surprised most surprised

inspiring more inspiring most inspiring
Some adjectives form their comparative forms with both -er/-r, more and superlative
forms with both -est/-st and most.

Positive Comparative Superlative

polite politer/more polite politest/most polite
simple simpler/more simple simplest/most simple
feeble feebler/more feeble feeblest/most feeble

gentle gentler/more gentle gentlest/most gentle
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