Do you want to know how to use superlative and comparative adverbs and adjectives the right way? This blog post shares how with explanations and examples.
Have you ever talked to a person and they keep describing days via most brightest or more brighter?
I have and, not to be rude, but it really irritates me.
The reason being is that it’s grammatically incorrect (I know it’s a common grammar mistake, but still).
When you want to compare two things or actions, you either add an “-er” to the end of the word or a “more” to the front of it. NOT both.
When you want to compare three or more things or actions, you either add an “-est” behind it or a “most” in front of it. NOT both.
Why? Well, because the grammar gods said so.
What are Comparative and Superlative Adjectives?
So, how can you tell when to use which?
For adjectives, which are words that are used to describe nouns, you decide which to use via the number of syllables the word has (the majority of the time).
Syllables are the beats in a word.
As an example, let’s use the word “bright.” This word has one syllable, so if you wanted to turn it into a comparative, you would add “-er” to it.
“Yesterday was brighter than today.”
If, for instance, you want to turn the word “spectacular” into a comparative, you would have to add “more” to the front of it because it has more than one syllable.
“Tomorrow should be a more spectacular day than today.”
When it comes to superlatives (words that are used to compare three or more things), the rule remains the same.
Here are a couple of examples:
“Yesterday was the brightest day of the week.”
“Tomorrow should be the most spectacular day of the week.”
What are Comparative and Superlative Adverbs?
As for adverbs, which are words that are used to describe or modify verbs, the rules are pretty similar.
Let’s use the word “fast” as an example.
Since this word has one syllable, you would add “-er” or “-est” to it, depending on how many things or actions you are comparing.
“He ran faster than his friend.”
Now, let’s use the word “quickly.”
Since this word ends in an “-ly” and has two syllables, you have to use the words “more” or “most” in front of it when you use it to describe or modify another word.
If you are comparing two actions, use “more quickly.” If you are comparing three or more actions, use “most quickly.”
Okay, do you understand everything?
Awesome!
Practice
Here are some review questions for you. All you have to do is decide if you have to add an “-er” and “-est” to the word or a “more” and “most” to it:
- Slow
- Challenging
- Funny
- Loudly
- Fun
Final Thoughts
Understanding the difference between comparatives and superlatives is important because it’ll help you describe things and actions correctly.
It’ll also help you to not irritate grammar nazis like me.
So, go and practice this grammatical skill. You can do so via workbooks, which you can find at my store here, and by reading and doing copywork as often as possible.
P.S.
Here are the answers to the practice questions above:
- Add “-er” or “-est”
- Add “more” or “most”
- Add “more” or “most”
- Add “more” or “most”
- Add “more” or “most” -Adding “-er” or “-est” to this word is a common mistake. But “funner” or “funnest” are not real words.