Comparative and superlative rules by syllables
The number of syllables, and the last letters, decide the form.
| Word type | Rule | Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One syllable | Add -er, -est | small | smaller | the smallest |
| One syllable ending in -e | Add -r, -st | wide | wider | the widest |
| One syllable: consonant, vowel, consonant | Double the last letter | hot | hotter | the hottest |
| Two syllables ending in -y | Change y to -ier, -iest | busy | busier | the busiest |
| Most other two-syllable words | Use more, most | careful | more careful | the most careful |
| Some two-syllable words | Either form | narrow, quiet, simple | narrower or more narrow | the narrowest or the most narrow |
| Three or more syllables | Use more, most | important | more important | the most important |
| Adverbs ending in -ly | Use more, most | quickly | more quickly | the most quickly |
Irregular forms
These common words don't follow the rules.
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| good, well | better | best | |
| bad, badly | worse | worst | |
| far | farther or further | farthest or furthest | Only further means additional: further information |
| little (amount) | less | least | |
| much, many | more | most | |
| old | older or elder | oldest or eldest | Elder and eldest are for family members, before a noun: my elder sister |
As ... as and other comparison patterns
Equal: as + positive + as: "Chennai is as hot as Hyderabad in May." Not equal: not as (or not so) + positive + as: "The second test wasn't as difficult as the first."
Multiples: twice as, three times as: "Rents in London are twice as high as rents in Leeds."
How big the difference is: put much, far, a lot, slightly or a little before a comparative: "much cheaper", "slightly higher". Don't use very: say "much better", not "very better".
Change over time: comparative and comparative: "more and more people", "prices got higher and higher". Linked change: the + comparative, the + comparative: "The more you read, the better you write."
Within a group: one of the + superlative + plural noun: "one of the largest cities". Use in for places and groups and of for periods and sets: "the tallest in the class", "the hottest of the three months".
Comparison language for IELTS Task 1
Task 1 asks you to make comparisons where relevant, so these phrases do a lot of work.
| Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| significantly or considerably higher than | Spending on food was considerably higher than spending on travel. |
| slightly lower than | The figure for 2015 was slightly lower than in 2010. |
| twice as many as | Twice as many men as women cycled to work. |
| the highest proportion | Japan had the highest proportion of over-65s. |
| the second largest | Coal was the second largest source of energy. |
| by far the most popular | Football was by far the most popular sport. |
| the least common | Rail was the least common way to travel. |
Common mistakes
Wrong: This phone is more better than my old one.
Right: This phone is better than my old one.
Better is already comparative, so don't add more.
Wrong: She is the most tallest girl in the class.
Right: She is the tallest girl in the class.
Use either -est or most, never both.
Wrong: Delhi is more hot than Shimla in June.
Right: Delhi is hotter than Shimla in June.
Hot has one syllable, so it takes -er, with the t doubled.
Wrong: Car sales were twice higher than bike sales.
Right: Car sales were twice as high as bike sales.
Multiples use the pattern twice as ... as.
Wrong: My brother is elder than me.
Right: My brother is older than me.
Elder isn't used with than. Use older, or say my elder brother.
Using this in IELTS and PTE
IELTS Writing Task 1 asks you to make comparisons where relevant, so accurate comparatives, superlatives and "as ... as" patterns are part of every chart answer. Vary the patterns rather than repeating "higher than": use multiples, "the second largest" and "by far". In IELTS Speaking and PTE Describe Image, the same forms help you compare places, times and options quickly.
5 questions
Exercise
Try each one, then open it to check your answer.
1. Comparative of "easy"?
easier
A two-syllable word ending in -y changes y to -ier.
2. Superlative of "bad"?
the worst
Bad is irregular.
3. Correct this: "Rice is very cheaper than wheat this year."
Rice is much cheaper than wheat this year.
Use much, far or a lot before a comparative, not very.
4. Complete this: "The film was not as good ___ the book."
as
The pattern is not as ... as.
5. Complete this: "The harder you practise, ___ you get."
the better
The pattern is the + comparative, the + comparative.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between farther and further?+
For distance, both are correct: "the farther shore" or "the further shore". Only further means more or additional: "further details", "further study".
Older or elder?+
Older works everywhere: "She is older than me." Elder is used for family members before a noun, "my elder sister", and never with than.
Is "more easier" correct?+
No. Easier is already comparative. Say easier or more easily, depending on whether you need an adjective or an adverb.
Commoner or more common?+
Both exist, but more common is far more usual. Some two-syllable adjectives, such as common, quiet and narrow, accept either form.
Keep going
More grammar lessons
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