Comparing with

Adjectives

When comparing two items, use the

COMPARATIVE FORMRule: Add –er to the end of the adjective

The apple is smooth.

adjective

The apple is smoother than the orange.

To form the comparative adjective smoother, take the adjective smooth and add er.

I am tastier than the pig.

I am taller than the pig.

These are all COMPARATIVE ADJECTIVES. They are comparing TWO THINGS—the

pig and the chicken.

Rule: When an adjective is longer, instead of adding

–er, add the word more in front of the adjective.

The pig is more beautiful than the chicken. (not beautifuller)

The chicken is more frightening than the pig. (not frighteninger)

I am smaller than the chicken.

I am pinker than the chicken.

I am cuter than the chicken.

UPERLATIVE FORMWhen comparing MORE than two items, use the

Rule: Add –est to the end of the adjective

The pizza is round.

adjective

The pizza is the roundest food offered. (It’s the most SUPER choice.)

To form the superlative adjective roundest, take the adjective round and add est.

The jump rope is the longest toy.

The ball is the roundest toy.

The bike is the fastest toy.

These are all SUPERLATIVE ADJECTIVES. They compare

more than two things.

Rule: When an adjective is longer, instead of adding

–est, add the word most in front of the adjective.The bike is the most exciting toy. (not excitingest)

The ball is the most colorful of all the toys. (not colorfulest)

The jump rope is the most fun-filled toy. (not fun-filledest)

Spelling Rules:

If the adjective ends with a single vowel and a consonant, double the consonant and add the

ending:

hot + er = hotter hot + est = hottest

If the adjective ends with a consonant and y, change the y to an i and add the ending:

happy + er = happier happy + est = happiest

You try it: Comparative Adjectives

You try it: uperlative Adjectives

One more thing…comparing with good

This cake is good. Statement

This cake is better than that cookie. Comparative

This cake is the best dessert ever! Superlative

And…comparing with bad

The ice cream is bad. Statement

The ice cream is worse than the candy. Comparative

The ice cream is the worst dessert ever! Superlative

The final challenge:

Look around the classroom. Think of as many sentences with

comparative and superlative adjectives

as you can.