Comparative & Superlative Adjectives in English: Complete Guide

Hi. I'm Rebecca from engVid. This lesson is for you if you make mistakes when you describe

or especially when you compare people, places, or things. Now, in terms of grammar, this

is a lesson about comparative or superlative adjectives. I'll explain to you exactly what

that means and how we use it. Okay? But in terms of real life, this lesson is really

about something that you need to do in English almost every day. So, let's get started.

Now, let's look at the board here where I have tried to draw three tall men. A, B, and

C. Now, if we describe these three people, we could say these sentences. A is tall, let's

say. B is taller than A. And C is the tallest. Now, when I said A is tall, I just used an

adjective "tall". That's our basic adjective. When I said "taller", that is when you compare

two people or places or things, so that is called the comparative adjective. It compares

two things. And when we said C is the tallest, the tallest is the superlative adjective.

It means the most of something. Okay? In this case, the most in terms of height, so it became

the tallest. So, basic adjective, comparative adjective, and superlative adjective. Now,

that's one way to do it, but let's look at another example. This shop is expensive, basic

adjective. That shop is more expensive, the comparative adjective. And this is the most

expensive shop. That's the superlative adjective, right? The most. But what's going on here?

Here we said tall, taller, the tallest. Here we said expensive, more expensive, the most

expensive. Something different, right? Okay, I'll explain to you exactly when you use this

kind of construction and when you use this form. Hang in there.

And let's look at one last example. I have a good job. You have a better job. And she

has the best job. In this case, "good" was the basic adjective, "better" is the comparative

adjective between two people, and "the best" is the superlative adjective. Now we have

something even more different. Right? Good, better, and the best. So, which of these do

you use when? That's what you're going to learn really, really well, and in such an

easy way that you will never forget it in just one second.

Okay, so all of the examples we looked at just now were correct. So how do you decide

which one to use? I'm going to show you now with a very simple chart. And what this chart

shows you is that the point that matters is the adjective itself, how many syllables is

it divided into? What's a syllable? It's how many parts in terms of pronunciation is the

word divided into? And I will explain that to you right now.

So, when we look at a very short word like "cold", "large", "hot", or "dry", it has only

one syllable. We say it fast, "cold". We cannot say "co-old", we just say "cold". So it has

one syllable. When we say this word, "happy", it has two syllables. When we say this word,

"intelligent", it has "in-teh-li-gen", four syllables, actually. Okay? So syllables are

just how many parts the word is divided into when we can pronounce it.

Now, so when we start with one-syllable words or really short words, all you have to do

is to add an "er" sound. So, for example, the basic adjective is "cold", the comparative

adjective is "colder", and the superlative adjective is "the coldest". "Cold", "colder",

"the coldest". Now, remember when you say this one, don't just say "coldest", remember

to say "the coldest". Whatever I've written on the board in red is what you need to add.

Now, there are two different things. One is when you're speaking, and one is when you're

writing. So, you will see here on the board that there are some changes you need to make

in spelling. But first of all, learn what to say, because in the saying of it, you don't

need to spell anything. All right? Later, you can download a free resource that I've

written that will explain to you exactly all of the changes you need to make, also in the

comparison and also in the spelling. All right? But that's later.

Now, let's just look at and understand the basic principles. So, one-syllable short words

are just like that. "Large", "larger", "the largest". "Hot", "hotter", "the hottest". "Dry",

"dryer", "the driest". Okay? Yes, there are spelling changes, but again, refer to the

reference sheet for that. Right now, just try to get the rhythm of it. Okay? Say it

out loud with me.

Now, the next rule is when you have a two-syllable word which ends with "y", then we do this.

So, let's take this example. "Happy", two syllables, "happy", ending with "y", so we

cancel the "y" and we add "ier", "happier". Okay? "Happy", "happier", "the happiest".

This is the happiest day of my life. Okay. All right. "Busy", "busier", "the busiest".

This week I'm busy, last week I was busier, next week will be the busiest week of the

month. Okay? Like that. So, one syllable, just basically "er" or "ar". Two syllables ending

with "y", "ier", usually. And now, for every other word which is two syllables or more,

you have a different pattern. Okay? So, let's take an example. "Modern", "modern", two syllables.

Right? "Modern", "more modern", and "the most modern". Okay? So now you see where this construction

comes in. Right? It's different from these. Here we're using "more" and "the most". The

same for any word in English which is a little bit long. When we say two syllables, it means

two, three, four syllables, definitely longer words, we're going to use this construction.

Okay? For example, "intelligent", "he's intelligent", "he's more intelligent", "he's the most intelligent".

Okay? So, "more" and "the most", but we don't change the adjective itself. So those are

the three basic things that you have to remember. If it's a very short word, just go hot, hotter,

hottest. The hottest. Hot, hotter, the hottest. Okay? When you're in a... When you're saying

the sentence, it will come to you more naturally. "Happy", "happier", "the happiest". Okay?

And "modern", "more modern", "the most modern". All right? That's the rule. Those are the

basic rules, and that will help you with any comparative or superlative adjectives that

you want to use, except for a few... Really, they're not that many. A few exceptions. And

down here I've written two of the most popular and the most common exceptions. All right?

There are not too many exceptions, so don't worry, but these two are very common and you

really must know them very well. Because if you make a mistake with these, it doesn't

look good. Doesn't look good if you're doing an exam, doesn't look good if you're going

for a job interview or if you've written your resume or a cover letter, anything like that.

Okay? So don't make any of these mistakes down here at all.

So, what are these two very popular adjectives? Which are exceptions, "good" and "bad". So,

the party was good, last week's party was better, and this is the best party I've ever

been to. So, here we have "good", "better", and "the best". So the words actually change.

We use different words. Okay? Also, "bad", "worse", and "the worst". Okay? "Bad", "worse",

and "the worst". And remember to use that word "the". All right? So, these are the basic

rules, these are two exceptions. There are maybe six or eight more. Again, in the resource

which you can download for free from our website, I will have written for you most of them,

almost all of them that really matter and which you need to know. And also, you'll be

able to learn these spelling changes. But before you go away, let's check how much you've

understood by doing a short quiz. Okay? Let's do that.

So, as we do the quiz, remember the three basic rules. If it's one syllable, if the

adjective is one syllable and short, give it a sound of "er". If it's two syllables

but ends with "y", give it an "ier". And if it's two or more syllables, then we say "more

something", or if it's superlative, "the most something". All right? I think you've got it.

Let's get the rhythm of it now by doing some examples. Here we go.

The first word, "cheap", make it comparative, "cheaper", make it superlative, "the cheapest".

"Cheap", "cheaper", "the cheapest". Good.

"Healthy", "healthy", "healthier", "the healthiest". Good.

"Important", "important", "more important", "the most important". Good. Say it along with

me. Okay? You might even say it before me because you know it now. Okay.

"Noisy", "noisy", "noisier", "the noisiest".

"Bad", remember that one? That's an exception, so we say "bad", "worse", "the worst". Good.

"Beautiful", "beautiful", "more beautiful", "the most beautiful".

"Difficult", "more difficult", "the most difficult". Okay? Because again, that was a long word,

many syllables. Right?

Next one, "simple", "simple", "simpler", and "the simplest". Good. Remember, that's an exception

also, so we say "this is good", "that's", "better", but "this is the best". Okay? And

"helpful", "helpful", "more helpful", "the most helpful". Okay? Try to get the rhythm

of it. You know, if you... If you get confused in any way, first take a lot of short words,

one-syllable words, and just do that, like "cheap", "cheaper", "the cheapest", you know?

Get the rhythm of it. That way, also say it aloud because your ears will also hear the

difference and hear what's correct. All right? Then take several examples from our resource

sheet of the two-syllable words and with "y" and say those aloud. "Happy", "happier", "the

happiest", and so on. Okay? "Friendly", "friendlier", "the friendliest". And then take some long

words. Those are usually the easiest, so that will help you. Okay?

Now, if you really want to be sure that you know this very, very well, and it is really

important, then please go to our website at www.engvid.com, and there you can do a quiz

on this and also download that free resource, which can come in very handy. And... Okay,

so if you like this lesson and you'd like to get more lessons like this, please subscribe

to my YouTube channel, and all the best with your English. Bye for now.