## [Using the comparative and superlative](/hypergrammar-2/using-the-comparative-and-superlative) ## Avertissement Ce contenu est offert en anglais seulement. The comparative form of an [adjective](what-is-an-adjective#adjective) or [adverb](what-is-an-adverb#whatisadv) compares two things. The comparative is formed by adding the [suffix](word-formation#suffix) *er* to the [modifier](modifiers#modifiers) (for some short words) or by using the word *more* with the modifier: - Of the two designs, the architect is convinced that the city will select the *more experimental* one. (comparing two designs) - Now that it is March, the days are getting *longer*. (longer now than before) The superlative form compares three or more things. The superlative is formed by adding the suffix *est* to the modifier (for some short words) or by using the word *most* with the modifier: - This is definitely the *smartest*, *wittiest* and *most imaginative* comic strip I have ever seen. (implying that I have seen more than two) If you are not certain, consult a dictionary to see which words take *more* and *most* and which words take the suffixes *er* and *est*. ## Common problems with the comparative and superlative There are certain modifiers that cannot logically be used in the comparative and superlative forms. Adjectives like *perfect* and *unique*, for instance, express absolute conditions and do not allow for degrees of comparison. Something cannot be *more perfect* than another thing: it is either perfect or not perfect. Avoid the double comparison—that is, using both a suffix and an adverb to indicate the comparative or superlative: - **\[WRONG\]** I am convinced that my poodle is *more smarter* than your dachshund. - **\[RIGHT\]** I am convinced that my poodle is *smarter* than your dachshund. - **\[WRONG\]** Laurel and Hardy are the *most funniest* slapstick comedians in film history. - **\[RIGHT\]** Laurel and Hardy are the *funniest* slapstick comedians in film history. Similarly, avoid the double negative —the use of two negative words together to form a single negative idea. While the double negative is common in speech and has a long history in the English language, it should not be used in formal writing: - **\[WRONG\]** We decided there *wasn’t no* point in pursuing our research. - **\[RIGHT\]** We decided there *wasn’t any* point in pursuing our research. **OR** We decided there *was no* point in pursuing our research. - **\[WRONG\]** I *can’t get no* satisfaction. - **\[RIGHT\]** I *can’t get any* satisfaction. **OR** I *can get no* satisfaction. Double negatives involving *not* and *no* are fairly easy to spot and fix. However, some adverbs (for example, *hardly*, *scarcely*, *barely*) **imply** the negative and should not be used with another negative: - **\[WRONG\]** Even though Joe has lived in Toronto for four years, he *does not have hardly any* friends there. - **\[RIGHT\]** Even though Joe has lived in Toronto for four years, he *has hardly any* friends there. **OR** Even though Joe has lived in Toronto for four years, he *does not have many* friends there. ## Avis de droit d’auteur pour l’outil HyperGrammar 2 © Département d’anglais, Faculté des arts, Université d’Ottawa Un outil mis en ligne par le Bureau de la traduction, Services publics et Approvisionnement Canada ## Rechercher par thèmes connexes Vous voulez en apprendre davantage sur un thème abordé dans cette page? Cliquez sur un lien ci-dessous pour voir toutes les pages du Portail linguistique du Canada portant sur le thème choisi. Les résultats de recherche s’afficheront dans le [Navigateur linguistique](/fr/navigateur-navigator). - [Grammar and syntax](/fr/navigateur-navigator?search_api_fulltext=-&field_writing_tools=All&sort_by=views&f%5B1%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A476#navigateur-navigator-resultats-results) - [Adjectives](/fr/navigateur-navigator?search_api_fulltext=-&field_writing_tools=All&sort_by=views&f%5B0%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A476&f%5B1%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A477#navigateur-navigator-resultats-results) - [Adverbs](/fr/navigateur-navigator?search_api_fulltext=-&field_writing_tools=All&sort_by=views&f%5B0%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A476&f%5B1%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A478#navigateur-navigator-resultats-results) ## Liens connexes - [HyperGrammar 2](/fr/hypergrammar-2/index-fra) (page d’accueil) - [Outils d’aide à la rédaction](/fr/outils-tools/index-fra) - [Navigateur linguistique](/fr/navigateur-navigator) (permet de trouver rapidement des conseils linguistiques) - [TERMIUM Plus®](http://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2alpha/alpha-fra.html?lang=fra) - [Communiquer avec le Portail linguistique du Canada](/fr/apropos-about-fra#a8)