Just as we can put more than one adjective in a sentence, we can also use them to make comparisons. We call these comparisons: Inferiority, Equality or Superiority.
Comparative of Superiority
See the examples below:
Mary is old. (Mary is old.)
maria is olderthan me. (Maria isolderthan me.)
Note that the adjective old has changed: er + than. This is how superiority is compared when the adjective is composed of a syllable (short adjectives).
Now look at another example:
Maria is intelligent. (Mary is smart.)
maria ismore intelligent than me. (Maria is more intelligent than me.)
In this case, the adjective intelligent does not change at all, we just add: more (before and than (after him. In this way, we compare superiority when the adjective is composed of two or more syllables (long adjectives).
So, remember: how we do the comparison will depend on how many syllables each adjective has!
More examples:
short adjectives |
long adjectives |
| cheap = cheaper than cheap (a) = cheaper (a) than |
expensive = more expensive than expensive = more expensive than |
| cold = colder than cold = colder than |
handsome = more handsome than beautiful = more beautiful than |
| longer = longer than long (a) = longer (a) than |
famous = more famous than famous = more famous than |
| tall = taller than high (a) = higher (a) than |
intelligent = more intelligent than smart = smarter than |
| * big = bigger than big = bigger than |
popular = more popular than popular = more popular than |
| ** pretty = prettier than beautiful = more beautiful than |
comfortable = more comfortable than comfortable = more comfortable than |
| *** good = better than good = better than |
= more difficult than difficult hard = harder than |
| **** nice = nicer than cool = cooler than |
important = more important than important = more important than |
| ***** shy = shier than shy (a) = more shy (a) than |
complicated = more complicated than complicated = more complicated than |
* adjectives preceded by CVC (Consonant-Vowel-Consonant), double the last letter: big = bigger than
fat = fatter than
** adjectives ending in y preceded by consonants are replaced by i: pretty = prettier than
*** In this case, good is an exception and its comparative form is different. The same goes for bad = worse than.
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**** adjectives ending in and just add r: nice = nicer than.
Equality Comparison
See the examples below:
yes = Jenny is tall. (Jenny is tall.)
Jenny is at tall at Paul. (jenny is So high how much Paul.)
negative = Jenny is not tall. (Jenny is not tall.)
Jenny is not only tall at Paul. (jenny Is not so high how much Paul.)
In this comparison, there are different ways to affirm or deny the comparison.
he is formed with at...at (in affirmative sentences) and not only...at (in negative sentences).
For the equality comparison, there is no difference whether the adjectives are short or long. Everyone follows the same rule!
Examples:
adj. long
she sings at beautifully at you dance!
(She sings as beautifully as you dance!)
adj. I enjoy
This exercise is not so easy at the last one.
(This exercise is not as easy as the last one.)
adj. I enjoy
today is at cold at yesterday.
(Today is as cold as yesterday.)
adj. long
this game is at complicated at that one.
(This game is just as complicated as that one.)
Comparison of Inferiority
Note the following examples:
I spent less money than you. (I have spent any less cash than you.)
that hat is less expensive than the others. (that hat is any less expensive than the others.)
Note that in the inferiority comparison there is also no difference if the adjective is short or long. It is formed with less...than.
Superlative
The superlative degree follows the same formation rule as the comparatives. Look:
* This is the most expensive bike of them all.
(This is The bicycle more everyone's face.)
* Susy is the shortsis girl in the class.
(Susy is The girl lower from class.)
* This supermarket is the biggis one.
(This supermarket is the biggest.)
in short:
short adjectives: is...
long adjectives: the most...
exceptions: good = best / bad = worst
See more:
Adjectives - Discover ways to compare adjectives
Adjectives order- Know the order of adjectives
Adriana Petriccione
Brazil School Collaborator
Graduated in Arts from the University of Santo Amaro – UNISA
Graduated in Pedagogy from Bandeirante University of São Paulo – UNIBAN
English - Brazil School
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
PETRICCIONE, Adriana. "Degree of Adjectives"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/ingles/degree-of-adjectives-grau-dos-adjetivos.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
