Ch 4
Comparatives & Superlatives
the tallest · the most · the best · -er and -er
Superlatives describe the extreme of a quality among three or more things. Same pattern rules as comparatives, but with the.
Short adj: the + -est
tall → the tallest · fast → the fastest
Long adj: the most +
expensive → the most expensive
Irregular
good → the best · bad → the worst · far → the furthest
Always use the with superlatives: She is the tallest. (NOT she is tallest)
Most: the + adj + est
old → the oldest · cheap → the cheapest
Ends in -e: + st
nice → the nicest · large → the largest
CVC: double + est
big → the biggest · hot → the hottest
Consonant + y: iest
happy → the happiest · early → the earliest
Long: the most +
beautiful → the most beautiful · interesting → the most interesting
much/far + comparative
This is much better than that. / She is far taller than him.
a little/slightly +
It is a little cheaper than the other one.
Double comparative
It is getting better and better. / The more you study, the better you get.
less + adjective
This film is less interesting than the book.
the least
This is the least expensive option.
the + superlative + I have ever + past participle ✓
Experience
It is the best film I have ever seen.
Experience
She is the most talented person I have ever met.
Negative
That was the worst meal I have ever had.
After superlatives and the only / the first / the last, use that not "which": the best film that I have ever seen.
She is most tall in the class.
→
She is the tallest in the class.
short adj → the + -est (always "the")
It is the most best film I've seen.
→
It is the best film I've seen.
best is already superlative
This is more cheap than that.
→
This is cheaper than that.
short adj → -er (not more)
The more I study, the more I am better.
→
The more I study, the better I get.
double comparative: the + comparative
Recap
Superlative
the + adj + est / the most + adj
the tallest / the most expensive
Always "the"
superlatives always need "the"
she is the best
Irregular
the best · the worst · the furthest
the best film I've ever seen
Double
getting bigger and bigger · the more ... the better
it's getting worse and worse