Comparison
of Adjectives
Taller, the tallest, better, the best — master comparative and superlative forms, then practise.
Show rules
How to form comparatives and superlatives
| comparative | superlative | |
|---|---|---|
| one syllable: tall | taller | the tallest |
| ending in -e: large | larger | the largest |
| short + consonant: big | bigger | the biggest |
| ending in -y: happy | happier | the happiest |
| two+ syllables: expensive | more expensive | the most expensive |
Irregular forms:
| comparative | superlative | |
|---|---|---|
| good | better | the best |
| bad | worse | the worst |
| far | farther / further | the farthest / the furthest |
| little | less | the least |
| much / many | more | the most |
Comparative — -er than / more ___ than
She is taller than her sister. This phone is more expensive than that one.
Make the comparison stronger or weaker with much / far / a lot (much bigger, far more interesting) or a bit / a little / slightly (a bit cheaper).
Watch out: ❌ very bigger — very is not used with comparatives.
as ... as / not as ... as
For equality, use as + base form + as: The film is as exciting as the book.
For inequality, use not as + base form + as: I'm not as tall as my brother.
Superlative — the ___est / the most ___
Superlatives always take the: Mount Everest is the highest mountain. She is the best student.
- in + place or group: the tallest in the class
- of + a list or time period: the happiest day of my life
For exactly two items, the + comparative is normal: Of the two sisters, Sarah is the taller.
Common mistakes
| ❌ | ✅ |
|---|---|
| She is more tall than me. | She is taller than me. |
| He is the most good student. | He is the best student. |
| Today is very colder than yesterday. | Today is much colder than yesterday. |
| The tallest of her class. | The tallest in her class. |
Frequently Asked Questions
When do you add -er and when do you use 'more'?
One-syllable adjectives add -er (tall → taller, big → bigger). Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y also add -er (happy → happier). Adjectives with three or more syllables — and most two-syllable ones — use 'more' (more expensive, more interesting). Some adjectives are irregular: good → better, bad → worse, far → farther/further.
Why is 'very bigger' wrong?
'Very' is not used with comparative forms. To make a comparison stronger or weaker, use 'much / far / a lot' (much bigger, far more expensive) or 'a bit / slightly / a little' (a bit cheaper, slightly cooler).
Do you use 'in' or 'of' after a superlative?
Use 'in' before a place or group: 'the tallest in the class', 'the best player in the world'. Use 'of' before a list or a time period: 'the best of all', 'the happiest day of my life'.
How do you compare two things equally?
Use 'as + base adjective + as': 'The film is as exciting as the book.' For inequality, use 'not as ... as': 'I'm not as tall as my brother.' Between 'as ... as' use the basic form of the adjective, never the comparative.