Comparatives and Superlatives

Here are some basic rules for spelling comparatives and superlatives:

Rule 1 - one syllable adjectives or adverbs:
Comparatives
Superlatives
Simply add -er
Examples:
  • smart =  smarter
  • young =  younger
  • fast = faster
    		•  Use THE  and add -est
    Examples:
  • smart =  the smartest
  • young =  the youngest
  • fast = the fastest
    		•
    Rule 1B - One syllable adjectives with a Consonant-Vowel-Consonant  Pattern:
    (Review Consonants and Vowels)
    If the adjective has a CVC pattern, double the consonant and add -er. 
    Examples:
  • wet  =  wetter
  • big  =  bigger
  • sad = sadder
    • Practice comparatives with one-syllable words.    		 If the adjective has a CVC pattern, double the consonant and add -est. Don't forget THE!
    Examples:
  • wet  =  the wettest
  • big  =  the biggest
  • sad = the saddest
    • Practice superlatives with one-syllable words.
    Rule 2 - two syllable adjectives ending in Y
    Change the Y to I and add -er 
     
    Examples:
  • pretty =  prettier
  • happy =  happier
  • busy = busier
    • Practice comparatives ending in Y.    		 Change the Y to I and add -est.
    Don't forget to use THE!
    Examples:
  • pretty =  the prettiest
  • happy =  the happiest
  • busy = the busiest
    • Practice superlatives ending in Y.
    Rule 3 - Adjectives or adverbs with two or more syllables (not ending in Y):
      Use MORE
    Examples:
  • famous =  more famous
  • interesting =  more interesting
  • carefully = more carefully
    • Practice comparatives with 2 or more syllables.    		 Use THE MOST
    Examples:
  • famous =  the most famous
  • interesting =  the most interesting
  • carefully = the most carefully
    • Practice superlatives with 2 or more syllables.
    Rule 4 
    These are the irregular words. There is no system or pattern here, so you'll just have to remember them. Fortunately, there are only a few...
    Examples:
  • good =  better
  • bad =  worse
  • far = farther (further)
  • well = better
  • badly = worse
  • little = less
    • Practice irregular comparatives.
    Examples:
  • good =  the best
  • bad =  the worst
  • far = the farthest (the furthest)
  • well = the best
  • badly = the worst
  • little = the least
    • Practice irregular superlatives.
    Mega Quiz - 50 mixed questions Comparatives....Superlatives

    Consonants = b, c, d, f, g, h, etc.
    Vowels = a, e, i, o, u 

    Those were some basic rules for spelling comparatives and superlatives, but remember, there are always exceptions to every rule...Good Luck!

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