Unit 2. Grammar

Comparatives and Superlatives

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What are the comparatives and superlatives?

The comparatives and superlatives are structures that can be used with …

Adjectives

Examples: big small beautiful

boringexciting intelligent

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First step

We need to know how many syllables an adjective has.

Examples: big small

beautiful boringexciting intelligent

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COMPARATIVES

Adjectives with one syllable

Adjective + ER thanEx. Mary is (tall) taller than Peter

Adjectives with two syllables

Boring X boringer √ more boringFunny X more funny √ funnier

Adjectives with more than two syllables

Adjective + MORE + adjective + thanEx. Mary is more intelligent than PeterX Mary is intelligenter than Peter

We use the comparative structure to compare two persons / things / animals… (A – B)

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SUPERLATIVESWe use the superlative structure to say that one object / person / etc. stands out (catalan translation: el més + adjectiu)

Adjectives with one syllable

the + adjective + ESTEx. Mary is (tall) the tallest girl in the class

Adjectives with two syllables

Boring X the boringest √ the most boringFunny X the most funny √ the funniest

Adjectives with more than two syllables

the + MOST + adjective Ex. Mary is the most intelligent girl in the classX Mary is the intelligentest girl in the class

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Exceptions

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ExercisesWrite the comparative and superlative form of these adjectives:

Old Large

Strong Serious

Happy Pretty

Modern Crowded

Important Bad

Good Proud

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Let’s compare…

Justin Bieber and Pitbull

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Exercises