Comparing people, things, and actions is a super useful grammar topic in English!
This guide explains how to use comparative and superlative forms with adjectives and adverbs in English in the right way.
I’ll also show you how to make comparisons stronger or weaker with modifiers like much, by far, and a bit.
What are comparatives, superlatives, and equatives?
These forms help us compare people, things, and ideas.
- Comparatives show differences between two things.
This test is easier than the last one. - Superlatives express the highest or lowest in a group of three or more.
She is the tallest in the class. - Equatives show that two things are equal in some way.
My house is as big as yours.
These patterns make your comparisons clear and natural in daily English.
Forms and examples
Comparative adjectives
Use to compare two people, things, or places.
- Structure: adjective + -er + than OR more + adjective + than
- This book is longer than the last one.
- It’s more comfortable than I expected.
Superlative adjectives
Use to show the highest or lowest degree among three or more.
- Structure: the + adjective + -est OR the most + adjective
- She is the tallest in the class.
- That was the most difficult exam.
Equative adjectives
Use to show two things are equal in some way.
- Structure: as + adjective + as
- Her coat is as warm as mine.
- This car is as fast as that one.
- The weather today’s not as bad as it was yesterday.
Rules for Forming Comparatives and Superlatives
Comparative and superlative forms are different for short and long adjectives.
A. One-syllable adjectives
- Add -er for comparatives and -est for superlatives.
- fast → faster → the fastest
- cold → colder → the coldest
B. Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y
- Change -y to -ier/-iest
- happy → happier → the happiest
- busy → busier → the busiest
C. Longer adjectives (two+ syllables)
- Use more/most
- more interesting → the most interesting
- more useful → the most useful
D. Irregular adjectives
Irregular adjectives do not look like the adjectives they come from!
Here are some examples:
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative | Equative |
|---|---|---|---|
| good | better | best | as good as |
| bad | worse | worst | as bad as |
| far | farther | farthest | as far as |
Modifying Comparatives and Superlatives
To make comparisons stronger, weaker, or more precise, we use modifiers:
Modifiers for comparatives
- much / a lot / far → makes the difference stronger
- This book is much longer than the last one.
- a little / slightly / a bit → makes the difference smaller
- It’s a bit colder today.
Modifiers for superlatives
- by far → makes the superlative much stronger
- She’s by far the fastest runner in school.
Modifiers with equatives
- almost / nearly → show that two things are close but not exactly equal
- This bag is almost as light as that one.
Comparing adverbs
Comparisons aren’t only for adjectives! We also use comparatives, superlatives, and equatives with adverbs to compare actions.
Comparative adverbs
Use to compare how two actions are done.
- Structure: adverb + -er + than (for one-syllable adverbs) OR more + adverb + than (for most others)
- He ran faster than his friend. (or: He ran more quickly..)
- She speaks more clearly than her teacher.
Superlative adverbs
Use to show the most or least in a group.
- Structure: the + adverb + -est OR the most + adverb
- He drives the fastest.
- She explained the most clearly.
Equative adverbs
Use to show two actions are equal in some way.
- Structure: as + adverb + as
- She works as hard as her brother.
- He thinks as quickly as I do.
Using Comparisons in Real Life
Model Dialogue
This monologue demonstrates
Today was one of the busiest days I’ve had in a while. I thought yesterday was bad, but today was definitely worse. The traffic was heavier, the meetings were longer, and the weather was colder than ever before. I even had to skip lunch because the queue at the café was longer than usual. Honestly, the best part of the day was getting home. My couch felt softer than I remembered. I hope tomorrow isn’t as difficult as today was.
Short Diary Entry
This diary entry compares days at work.
Today felt way longer than yesterday. The meeting I went to was by far the most boring one this week. Even so, my manager was as kind as always, and I did manage to get all of my tasks done a lot faster than usual. So in the end, I guess things weren’t as anywhere near as bad as they could have been.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
| Error Type | Incorrect Example | Correction |
| Wrong form | more happier | happier |
| Double comparison | most fastest | fastest |
| Missing “the” | biggest mountain | the biggest mountain |
| Incorrect equative | as more cold as | as cold as |
Exercise 1: Complete the Sentence
1. This jacket is than the one I wore yesterday — I’m actually warm this time!
2. That was the speech I’ve ever heard — even the teacher looked confused.
3. Her suitcase is as as mine, so we both had trouble lifting them.
4. He ran than the others and won the race.
5. Today’s instructions were than yesterday’s — I understood them right away.
6. Out of all the laptops, mine is the .
Exercise 2: Correct the Mistake
1. This coffee is more hotter than I expected.
2. She’s the most nicest person in the team.
3. That solution is as more clever as his.
4. This is best movie I’ve seen all year.
5. His explanation is most clear.
6. I think today is more colder than yesterday.
Your final score
Total: 0 / 0
