A2 · Lesson 26 · 20 min
Comparatives and superlatives
In this lesson
- I can compare two people, places or things.
- I can describe the highest or lowest thing in a group.
Grammar in context
Mia and her brother Leo are choosing a café near their college. The Corner Café is cheaper than the Riverside Café, but Riverside has better coffee. On Saturday, they visit the market and look for the most interesting food stall.
Which words compare two cafés, and which words describe one thing in a larger group?
Comparing two things
Use a comparative adjective to compare two people, things or places. Short adjectives usually take -er, and we normally use than after the adjective. For adjectives ending in -y, change y to i: busy becomes busier. Double the final consonant in some short words, such as big becoming bigger.
- My new phone is lighter than my old phone.
- The blue bus is faster than the green bus.
Long adjectives and equal comparisons
Use more before many longer adjectives, especially adjectives with two or more syllables: more expensive, more comfortable and more interesting. Do not add -er as well. Use as + adjective + as when two things are equal. For a negative comparison, use not as + adjective + as.
- This chair is more comfortable than that one.
- Nora's bag is not as heavy as Sam's bag.
The highest or lowest in a group
Use a superlative when one person or thing has the highest or lowest quality in a group. Use the before the superlative: the tallest, the cheapest or the most useful. Short adjectives usually take -est, while longer adjectives use most or least. Better and best are irregular forms of good.
- June is the tallest player on the team.
- This is the most useful map in the shop.
- This is the least expensive option on the menu.
Common mistakes
Compare the incorrect and corrected forms.
Avoid
This route is more shorter than the other route.
Use
This route is shorter than the other route.
Do not use more with a short adjective ending in -er.
Avoid
It is best café in our street.
Use
It is the best café in our street.
Use the before a superlative when naming one item in a group.
Put it into practice
Try the exercises, write your own examples and check your understanding.