COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES
1. COMPARATIVES
- WITH -er:
- one syllable words (i.e. Fast - faster)
- two-syllable words ending in -y (i.e. Early - earlier)
IMP. words ending in -e add only -r (i.e. Late – later)
- WITH more or less:
- other two-syllable words (i.e. More modern)
- words of more than two syllables (i.e. More interesting)
− WORDS WITH 2 POSSIBILITIES:
− some two-syllable words are used with either – er or more (i.e. Clever, common,
narrow, simple)
− IRREGULAR COMPARATIVES:
− elder – cannot be used to make a comparison – This is my elder sister
− further/farther – meaning more far – How much further/farther do we have to go?
− Further – meaning more – I can't really advise you any further.
− Good – better – best
− Bad – worse – worst
− COMPARATIVES WITH ADVERBS
− They are normally made with more and less (more quickly – less carefully)
− Some adverbs (not formed from adjectives) have a comparative with -er (i.e. Faster,
harder)
− MAKING COMPARISONS
− with THAN – food here is more expensive than I thought
− with NOT AS/SO …. AS – Being a teacher is not as interesting as being a translator.
− With JUST AS … AS – Living in the country is just as expensive as living in London.
− MAKING COMPARISONS STRONGER
− we can use these words: MUCH – FAR – A LOT – A LITTLE (i.e. This book is
much/far/a lot/a little more expensive)
2. SUPERLATIVES
− THEY FOLLOW THE SAME RULES:

- There aren’t any trains earlier than this one.
This is
- All other pubs are further away.
This pub
- Is this the best price you can offer?
Can’t you
3. Complete each sentence by choosing the most suitable word or phrase:
- I really think that apologising is you can do.
a. not as much as b. A little c. The least d. As far as
- I can’t stand this weather. It’s getting
a. more and more b. Worse and worse c. Coldest and coldest d. Further and
further
- Although Brenda came last, everyone agreed she had her best.
a. done b. Made c. Had d. Got
- I wish Charles worked as hard as Mary.
a. did b. Can c. Will d. Does.
- The more you water this plant, the it will grow.
a. best b. Tall c. Wetter d. Faster
- From now on, we won’t be able to go out as much as we
a. were b. Had c. Used to d. Will
- I’ve never owned independent cat as this one.
a. a more than b. Such an c. A so d. As much an
- Brian has been working since he was promoted.
a. much harder b. As harder c. Just as hardly d. More hardly.
- I’ve been feeling lately, doctor.
a. such a b. The most c. More and more d. Much
- This exercise will give us practice.
a. farther b. Much more c. As better d. A lot
4. Put one suitable word in each space, beginning with the letter given:
- Is William feeling any b today?

6. Rewrite each sentence so that it contains the word given in capitals, and so that the
meaning stays the same. The word cannot be changed in any way.
- Your car was cheaper than mine. COST
Your car _____________________________________ did.
- I’m not as good at maths as you are. BETTER
You _________________________________________ I am.
- Keith is slightly taller than Nigel. LITTLE
Keith ________________________________________ Nigel.
- Bill was growing angrier all the time. AND
Bill _________________________________________ angrier.
- Sally tried as hard as she could. DID
Sally ________________________________________ best.
- I thought this film would be better. AS
This film ____________________________________ I expected.
- This is the bumpiest road I’ve ever driven along! SUCH
I've never ____________________________________ road.
- When you eat a lot, you get fat. MORE
The _________________________________________ you get.
- George said he couldn’t do any better COULD
George said it__________________________________ do.
- This year’s exam and last year’s exam were equally difficult. JUST
This year's exam ____________________________ last year's exam.
7. Look carefully at each line. Some lines are correct, but some have a word which
should not be there. Tick each correct line. If a line has a word which should not be
there, write the word in the space.
Transport Solutions
First of all, walking is obviously the cheapest correct
means of travelling, and can be the quicker the
in a city centre. Of course, the further you have ….
to go, the more so tired you will become. ….

angrier and/ did her/ isn't – wasn't as good as/ driven along such a bumpy/ more you
eat, the fatter/ was the best he could/ was just as difficult as
7. correct/ so/ more/ the/ the/ correct/ than/ of/ correct/ it/ and/ the/ correct/ correct/ that