comparatives: a primer

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Comparatives and Superlatives

Comparatives and Superlatives

“Mine is bigger than yours”“Mine is bigger than yours”

Peter MangiaracinaPeter Mangiaracina

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IntroductionIntroduction

Comparatives are used to show similarities or differences

between things.

Each slide will show an explanation, an example and a

formula.

At the end, a table of common comparatives.

Comparatives are used to show similarities or differences

between things.

Each slide will show an explanation, an example and a

formula.

At the end, a table of common comparatives.


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Key to FormulaeKey to FormulaeSubject

The doer of an action. Usually appears at the beginning of a main clause. In the sentence “Bob is taller than Jill,” Bob is the subject

Verb “to be”

Though many verbs can be used with the comparative, one of the most frequent is the verb “to be” conjugated for whatever tense and person (is, are, was, were, has been, etc.)

Object

The receiver of an action. Usually appears after the verb. In the sentence, “The dog catches the ball,” ball is the object.

Adjective

•An adjective modifies a noun. In the sentence, “Bob throws the red ball,” red is an adjective.

SubjectThe doer of an action. Usually appears at the beginning of a main clause. In the sentence “Bob

is taller than Jill,” Bob is the subject

Verb “to be”

Though many verbs can be used with the comparative, one of the most frequent is the verb “to be” conjugated for whatever tense and person (is, are, was, were, has been, etc.)

Object

The receiver of an action. Usually appears after the verb. In the sentence, “The dog catches the ball,” ball is the object.

Adjective

•An adjective modifies a noun. In the sentence, “Bob throws the red ball,” red is an adjective.

In each of the slides explaining a comparative or superlative, you will see a “formula,” or a way to structure a sentence using that comparative. Below is an explanation of the elements of the formulae.

In each of the slides explaining a comparative or superlative, you will see a “formula,” or a way to structure a sentence using that comparative. Below is an explanation of the elements of the formulae.


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Equal / Not EqualEqual / Not Equal

To indicate or negate an equal quality:

Example:

Bob is (not) as tall as George.

To indicate or negate an equal quality:

Example:

Bob is (not) as tall as George.

subject + <to be> + (not) + as + adjective + as + object.

subject + <to be> + (not) + as + adjective + as + object.


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Difference Type IDifference Type I

Indicating a difference between two or more things, usually

when the adjective has one or two syllables:

Example:

Bob is (not) taller than George.


when the adjective has one or two syllables:

Example:

Bob is (not) taller than George.

subject + <to be> + (not) + adjective + {-er} + than + object.

subject + <to be> + (not) + adjective + {-er} + than + object.


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Difference Type IIDifference Type IIIndicating a difference between two or more things, usually

when the adjective has two or more syllables*

Example:

The red car is (not) less /more expensive than the

blue car.


when the adjective has two or more syllables*

Example:

The red car is (not) less /more expensive than the

blue car.

subject + <to be> + (not) + more/less + adjective + than + object.

subject + <to be> + (not) + more/less + adjective + than + object.


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Superlatives Type ISuperlatives Type IIndicating that the quality something possesses can not be

equaled, usually when the adjective has one or two

syllables:

Example:

Bob is (not) the tallest student in the class.

Indicating that the quality something possesses can not be

equaled, usually when the adjective has one or two

syllables:

Example:

Bob is (not) the tallest student in the class.

subject + <to be> + (not) + the + adjective + {-est} + object..

subject + <to be> + (not) + the + adjective + {-est} + object..


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Superlatives Type IISuperlatives Type IIIndicating that the quality something possesses can not be

equaled, usually when the adjective has two or more

syllables:

Example:

Linda is (not) the most/least intelligent person in the

class.

Indicating that the quality something possesses can not be

equaled, usually when the adjective has two or more

syllables:

Example:

Linda is (not) the most/least intelligent person in the

class.

subject + <to be> + (not) + the + most/least + adjective +object.

subject + <to be> + (not) + the + most/least + adjective +object.


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The more I try not to be nervous, the more nervous I feel.

The more I eat, the hungrier I get.

The fewer people who know about this the better.

The more I work, the less I earn.

The more I try not to be nervous, the more nervous I feel.

The more I eat, the hungrier I get.

The fewer people who know about this the better.

The more I work, the less I earn.

Special Constructio

n

Special Constructio

n


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When to Use Type IIWhen to Use Type IIWhen verbs are functioning as adjectives (verbals).

I am more tired today than yesterday.

“Must” is the most over-used modal.

When the adjective has three syllables.

I am more intelligent than Australopithecus.

Hailey Atwell is the most beautiful actress I have seen.

When using an adverb.

My office is more well-decorated than your office.

Apple is the most highly-respected company in the world.

When verbs are functioning as adjectives (verbals).

I am more tired today than yesterday.

“Must” is the most over-used modal.

When the adjective has three syllables.

I am more intelligent than Australopithecus.

Hailey Atwell is the most beautiful actress I have seen.

When using an adverb.

My office is more well-decorated than your office.

Apple is the most highly-respected company in the world.


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Common Comparatives and Superlatives Type 1

Common Comparatives and Superlatives Type 1

as ___ as _____ than The _____

pretty prettier prettiest

quick quicker quickest

slow slower slowest

cheap cheaper cheapest

tall taller tallest

good better best

bad worse worst

easy easier easiest

nice nicer nicest


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Common Comparatives and Superlatives Type II

Common Comparatives and Superlatives Type II

More/less most/least

intelligent

fun

interesting

boring

beautiful

exciting

comfortable

difficult

dangerous


comparatives: a primer

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