Comparative and Superlative Adjectives: The Full System
English compares adjectives in three degrees, and the form changes with how many things are involved.
| Positive | Comparative (two) | Superlative (three or more) |
|---|---|---|
| tall | taller | tallest |
| happy | happier | happiest |
| careful | more careful | most careful |
| expensive | more expensive | most expensive |
The rule that decides between the endings and the words more/most is syllable count, and it applies identically to both degrees. If an adjective takes -er, it takes -est. If it takes more, it takes most. There is no adjective that mixes the two.
Which form, by length
- One syllable – -er and -est: fast, faster, fastest
- Two syllables ending in -y – -ier and -iest: easy, easier, easiest
- Most other two-syllable – more and most: modern, more modern, most modern
- Three or more syllables – always more and most: difficult, more difficult, most difficult
Comparatives need than; superlatives need a group
A comparative is incomplete without the thing being compared to, and the word that introduces it is than, never then.
- This route is shorter than the other.
- She is more experienced than anyone here.
A superlative instead needs a group to be the top of, usually marked by of, in or a relative clause: the cheapest of the three, the oldest building in town, the best decision we ever made.
Going downwards
Both degrees have a negative twin that is often forgotten. Less and least work with any adjective regardless of length, which makes them useful when the -er form sounds wrong.
| Up | Down |
|---|---|
| more careful | less careful |
| most careful | least careful |
| happier | less happy |
| happiest | least happy |
Note that less happy is correct while unhappier means something slightly different – the first says there is less of the quality, the second says there is more of the opposite.
Intensifying a comparison
Comparatives take a particular set of intensifiers, and the ordinary ones do not fit. You can say much taller, far taller, a lot taller, slightly taller or no taller – but not very taller. Very belongs with the positive degree: very tall.
For the difference between -er and more in borderline cases, see comparative adjectives: -er or more.
Practice
Fill in the missing degree. Answers below.
- busy → busier → ___
- modern → ___ → most modern
- good → ___ → best
- thin → ___ → thinnest
- difficult → more difficult → ___
Answers
| # | Answer | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | busiest | two syllables in -y |
| 2 | more modern | two syllables, takes the separate word |
| 3 | better | irregular |
| 4 | thinner | consonant doubles |
| 5 | most difficult | three syllables, always most |
Checked against Merriam-Webster, the Chicago Manual of Style and the AP Stylebook. Spotted an error? Tell us — see our editorial policy.
