Comparing with

Adjectives

When comparing two items, use the

COMPARATIVE FORMRule: Add –er to the end of the adjective

The apple is smooth.

adjective

The apple is smoother than the orange.

To form the comparative adjective smoother, take the adjective smooth and add er.

These are all COMPARATIVE ADJECTIVES. They are comparing TWO

THINGS—the pig and the chicken.

I am smaller than the chicken.

I am pinker than the chicken.

I am cuter than the chicken.

The pig is more beautiful than the chicken. (not beautifuller)

The chicken is more frightening than the pig. (not frighteninger)

Rule: When an adjective is longer, instead of adding –er,

add the word more in front of the adjective.

When comparing MORE than two items, Add –est to the end of the adjective

The pizza is round.

The pizza is the roundest food offered.

(It’s the most ROUND choice.)

UPERLATIVE FORM

The jump rope is the longest toy.

The ball is the roundest toy.

The bike is the fastest toy.

These are all SUPERLATIVE ADJECTIVES. They compare

more than two things.

Rule: When an adjective is longer, instead of adding –est,

add the word most in front of the adjective.

The bike is the most exciting toy.

(not excitingest)

The ball is the most colorful of all the toys. (not colorfulest)

The jump rope is the most fun-filled toy.

(not fun-filledest)

Spelling Rules:

If the adjective ends with a single vowel and a consonant, double the

consonant and add the ending:

hot + er = hotter hot + est = hottest

If the adjective ends with a consonant and y, change the y to an

i and add the ending:

happy + er = happier happy + est = happiest

Spelling Rules:

You try it: Comparative Adjectives

You try it: uperlative Adjectives

One more thing…comparing with good/bad

This cake is good. Statement

This cake is better than that cookie. Comparative

This cake is the best dessert ever! Superlative

Comparing with Bad

This ice cream is bad. Statement

This ice cream is worse than the candy.

Comparative

This ice cream is the worst dessert ever!Superlative

The final challenge:

Look around the classroom. Think of as many

sentences with comparativeand superlative adjectives

as you can.