Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns. They add detail to sentences by answering questions like what kind, which one, or how many. When we want to compare two or more things, we use comparative and superlative adjectives.

Understanding how to use these forms correctly is essential for effective English communication. This article will walk you through the rules, exceptions, and usage of comparative and superlative adjectives—with examples and practical tips.

What Are Comparative Adjectives?

Comparative adjectives are used when comparing two nouns. They show how one thing differs from another in a particular quality (like size, age, or beauty).

Examples:

• This book is longer than the one I read last week.
• Maria is taller than John.
• That car is faster than mine.

How to Form Comparative Adjectives

Note: CVC = consonant-vowel-consonant

What Are Superlative Adjectives?

Superlative adjectives show the extreme or highest degree of a quality among three or more nouns. They indicate something is the best, worst, biggest, smallest, etc.

Examples:

• This is the longest movie I’ve ever watched.
• She is the tallest student in the class.
• It’s the most expensive restaurant in town.

How to Form Superlative Adjectives

Irregular Comparative and Superlative Forms

Some adjectives don’t follow standard rules. These are irregular adjectives and must be memorized.

Using “Than” and “The” in Sentences

• Use than with comparative adjectives:
  He is stronger than his brother.
• Use the with superlative adjectives:
  She is the smartest student in class.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Avoid double comparatives/superlatives
   Avoid: more taller, most fastest
   Use: taller, fastest
2. Use the correct structure
   Avoid: He is tallest than her.
   Use: He is taller than her.
3. Choose the right form
   • Use comparatives for two items:
     This book is shorter than that one.
   • Use superlatives for three or more:
     Of all the books, this is the shortest.

Practice Examples

Fill in the blanks:

1. This road is __________ (narrow) than the highway.
2. She is the __________ (intelligent) girl in the group.
3. My house is __________ (big) than yours.
4. That was the __________ (bad) meal I’ve had in years.
5. He is __________ (good) at chess than I am.

Answers:

1. narrower
2. most intelligent
3. bigger
4. worst
5. better

When to Use “More” and “Most”

Use more and most for adjectives that are:

See also

Present Continuous Tense in English

• Long (usually two syllables or more, excluding words ending in “y”)
• Derived from Latin or Greek
• Participles (e.g., interested, boring)

Examples:

• more important → most important
• more difficult → most difficult
• more exciting → most exciting

This book is more exciting than that one.
That was the most exciting movie I’ve seen!

Helpful Tips

• When in doubt, say the sentence out loud. Does it sound natural?
• Read and listen to native speakers to see how they use comparatives/superlatives.
• Keep a list of common irregular forms to review.

Table of Common Adjectives with Comparative and Superlative Forms

Final Thoughts

Comparative and superlative adjectives are key to making comparisons and describing things more clearly in English. With practice, you’ll naturally learn when to use -er/-est and when to go with more/most. Mastering these forms helps you speak and write more precisely and confidently.

Use the rules, study irregular forms, and practice with everyday comparisons. Whether you’re describing your favorite restaurant, choosing a better product, or sharing travel experiences, these adjectives are a powerful tool in your English toolkit.