##  [Adjective comparison](/writing-tips-plus/adjective-comparison)

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## On this page

- [Definition of an adjective](#definition)
- [Adjective forms](#forms)
- [Positive](#positive)
- [Comparative](#comparative)
- [Superlative](#superlative)
- [Rules for forming the comparative and superlative](#rules)
- [Method 1: Add “-er” or “-est” to the end of the adjective](#method1)
- [Method 2: Add “more” or “most” before the adjective](#method2)
- [Irregular comparative and superlative forms](#irregular)
- [Mistakes to avoid in using comparative and superlative adjectives](#mistakes)
- [Rule 1: Don’t combine two different forms](#rule1)
- [Rule 2: Don’t use the superlative to compare two things](#rule2)
- [Rule 3: Don’t use comparative and superlative forms with absolutes](#rule3)
- [Additional information](#additional)

## Definition of an adjective

In English grammar, adjectives fall into a category called modifiers. A modifier is a word that either describes or limits the meaning of the word it refers to.

An adjective is a type of modifier that describes (or limits the meaning of) a noun or a pronoun.

## Adjective forms

Adjectives have three forms: positive, comparative and superlative.

### Positive

The positive form is the adjective itself:

- Louise is **tall**.
- Eric is **careful**.

### Comparative

The comparative is used to compare two persons or things:

- Louise is **taller** than Jean-Marc.
- Eric is **more careful** than Jordan.

### Superlative

The superlative is used to compare three or more persons or things:

- Louise is the **tallest** person in her family.
- Eric is the **most careful** driver on our block.

## Rules for forming the comparative and superlative

There are two ways to form the comparative or the superlative forms of adjectives. The right method to use depends on the type of adjective, as explained below.

### Method 1: Add “-er” or “-est” to the end of the adjective

We add **-er** (for the comparative) or **-est** (for the superlative) to most adjectives that fall into the following groups.

#### Adjectives of one syllable

- fast, faster, fastest
- kind, kinder, kindest
- long, longer, longest

#### Adjectives of two syllables ending in “-le”

- noble, nobler, noblest
- subtle, subtler, subtlest

Note that the silent **e** at the end of these adjectives is dropped when the ending is added: nobler \[**not** nobleer\].

#### Adjectives of two syllables ending in “-ow”

- narrow, narrower, narrowest
- shallow, shallower, shallowest

#### Adjectives of two syllables ending in “-y”

- happy, happier, happiest
- merry, merrier, merriest

Note that the **y** at the end of these adjectives changes to **i** when the ending is added: happier \[**not** happyer\].

### Method 2: Add “more” or “most” before the adjective

To form the comparative or superlative of most other adjectives, we put the word **more** or **most** in front of them:

- comparative: more agreeable, more secure, more reckless
- superlative: most agreeable, most secure, most reckless

**Note:** Some two-syllable adjectives can form their comparatives and superlatives using either method:

- cleverer **or** more clever
- friendliest **or** most friendly

In addition to **clever** and **friendly**, common examples are **gentle**, **lively**, **narrow**, **quiet**, **silly** and **simple**.

## Irregular comparative and superlative forms

Some adjectives don’t follow the rules above; their forms are irregular. The table below shows the irregular comparative and superlative forms of six common adjectives.

Six adjectives with irregular forms
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| bad | worse | worst |
| far | farther | farthest |
| good | better | best |
| little | less | least |
| much | more | most |
| many | more | most |

## Mistakes to avoid in using comparative and superlative adjectives

The following guidelines will help you avoid the most common mistakes in the use of the comparative and superlative forms.

### Rule 1: Don’t combine two different forms

**Don’t** combine the two forms for the comparative or superlative. Use either **more** or **-er** (or **most** or **-est**), but not both:

- gentler **or** more gentle \[**not** more gentler\]
- cleverest **or** most clever \[**not** most cleverest\]

### Rule 2: Don’t use the superlative to compare two things

**Don’t** use the superlative when comparing only two persons or things; instead, use the comparative form:

- Anita is the livelier twin. \[**not** the liveliest\]
- The larger of the two race cars was damaged. \[**not** the largest\]

### Rule 3: Don’t use comparative and superlative forms with absolutes

**Don’t** use comparative and superlative forms or intensifiers (very, quite, rather, etc.) with adjectives that express absolute ideas (complete, empty, essential, fatal, full, perfect, unique, etc.). Since absolutes have no degrees of comparison, they shouldn’t be intensified or compared.

- The accident was fatal. \[**not** quite fatal\]
- The Broccoli Bar is the perfect restaurant for vegans. \[**not** the most perfect\]

## Additional information

- The section “Comparative and superlative” in the [article “Adjective/adverb aptitude”](/en/pecks-english-pointers/grammar-3-adj-adv) (Peck’s English Pointers)
- [Using the comparative and the superlative](/en/hypergrammar-2/using-the-comparative-and-superlative) (HyperGrammar 2)

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