more (-er) / most (-est)

Comparatives and superlatives

Comparatives and superlatives

Comparative sentences compare two things.

  • Portugal is smaller than Spain.
  • A five-star hotel is more expensive than a youth hostel.
  • I like the theatre, but the cinema is cheaper.
  • Joe is better than Fred at tennis.

Superlative sentences compare more than two things.

  • London is the biggest city in England. (= of all the other cities)
  • In my opinion, Shakespeare is the most interesting writer.
  • In my opinon, of all the writers, Shakespeare is the most interesting.
  • Ian is the best swimmer.

Different adjectives form comparatives and superlatives in different ways.

Adjective

Comparative

Superlative
small smaller than the smallest
big bigger than the biggest
nice nicer than the nicest
dirty dirtier than the dirtiest
beautiful more beautiful than the most beautiful
good
bad
far

 better than
worse than
further/farther than
the best
the worst
the furthest/farthest

1. Comparative and superlative sentences.

Look at the information on three cities.

Choose the correct option to complete the sentences about the three cities.

2. Comparative and superlative sentences.

Comparative sentences compare two things:

Moon Rock is smaller than Pittsville.

Superlative sentences compare more than two things:

Sydney is the biggest city. (=of all the other cities)

 

Are these comparative or superlative sentences?

3. Can you remember?

Can you remember the sentences from the previous exercise? Type in the word to complete the sentences. You can double-click on the gap to see the first letter of the missing word.

4. Word order.

Put the words in order to make more sentences.

Now listen and repeat the sentences.

5. Adjectives and their comparative and superlative forms.

Complete this chart of adjective, comparative and superlative forms. There are four different types.

6. Adjective forms.

Choose the correct option to complete the sentences.

7. Text correction.

Select the mistakes of comparative and superlative forms in this text. There are eight.

8. Text correction.

Here are the eight mistakes in red from the previous exercise. Type the correct form in the box.

9. Writing.

Look at the information from exercise 1 again.

Write down sentences comparing the cities.



Use the words given. You will have to use the correct form of the adjective. For example:

  • Moon Rock/Sydney (beautiful) = Moon Rock is more beautiful than Sydney.
  • Sydney/Pittsville/Moon Rock (small) = Moon Rock is the smallest city.
  1. Pittsville/Sydney (small)
  2. Pittsville/Moon Rock (big)
  3. Moon Rock/Pittsville (beautiful)
  4. Sydney/Pittsville/Moon Rock (beautiful city)
  5. Sydney/Pittsville (good city for a holiday)
  6. Sydney/Pittsville/Moon Rock (good city for a holiday)

See answers

1. Pittsville is smaller than Sydney.
2. Pittsville is bigger than Moon Rock.
3. Moon Rock is more beautiful than Pittsville.
4. Moon Rock is the most beautiful city.
5. Sydney is a better city for a holiday than Pittsville.
6. Sydney is the best city for a holiday.