Bigger, more beautiful, the best: comparing in English
Vocalyra teaching team · Last updated:
English compares things in two ways: short adjectives add -er and -est, long adjectives use more and most. A handful of everyday adjectives are irregular, and the double-comparative error is the one to avoid.
Short adjectives: -er and -est
One-syllable adjectives take -er and -est: tall, taller, the tallest. Watch spelling: big doubles the g (bigger), happy changes y to i (happier), and thin doubles the n. Two-syllable adjectives ending in y, ow, er and le usually follow the same pattern: narrow, narrower.
Long adjectives: more and most
Most adjectives with three or more syllables, and many two-syllable adjectives, use more and the most: more expensive, the most interesting, more comfortable, the most beautiful. Never combine the two systems: more bigger and the most fastest are wrong, even though every native speaker will understand you.
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| tall | taller | the tallest |
| big | bigger | the biggest |
| happy | happier | the happiest |
| careful | more careful | the most careful |
| good | better | the best |
| bad | worse | the worst |
| far | further / farther | the furthest / farthest |
Than, the and in
Comparatives pair with than: my bike is faster than yours. Superlatives pair with the and in for places: the tallest building in the city. Irregular forms are high frequency: good, better, the best; bad, worse, the worst; far, further, the furthest. Less and the least form the opposite: less expensive, the least expensive option.
Two more patterns appear constantly in speech. The double comparative shows parallel change: the sooner, the better; the more you practise, the easier it gets. And comparatives repeat for gradual change: it is getting colder and colder, the noise grew louder and louder. For choices between exactly two things, the comparative takes the: the taller of the two brothers. Superlatives also appear without the in adverb use: she works hardest on Mondays. Learn these as whole frames and they will come out automatically in conversation.
Quick self-check
Choose: This exercise is (easier / more easy) than the last one.
Show answer
easier
Choose: She is (the most tall / the tallest) girl in her class.
Show answer
the tallest
Choose: Today is (worse / more bad) than yesterday.
Show answer
worse
Choose: It is (more cheap / cheaper) to cook at home.
Show answer
cheaper