Grammar · Sentence structure
Comparatives and superlatives
Formula: adj + -er than · the + adj + -est
B1
Quick answer
The 6 main uses
1. Short comparative: -er than
Short adjective (tall) + -er + than.
“He's taller than me.”
2. Short superlative: the + -est
Use the + adjective + -est to say that one person or thing is number one in a group.
“She is the tallest in the class.”
3. Long comparative: more + adj + than
Most adjectives with two syllables or more use more + adjective + than.
“English is more interesting than maths.”
4. Long superlative: the most + adj
Long adjectives use the most + adjective. Do not add -est.
“This is the most beautiful park.”
5. Irregular forms
A few adjectives have irregular forms. You need to learn them by heart.
“good → better → best. bad → worse → worst.”
6. The same: as … as
Use as + adjective + as when two people or things are the same.
“He's as tall as me.”
Common mistakes to avoid
Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y
Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y change to -ier and -iest: happy → happier → happiest. Do not say more happy. The same goes for easy, busy, pretty and funny.
Double the consonant
One-syllable adjectives that end in consonant + vowel + consonant double the last consonant: big → bigger → biggest, hot → hotter → hottest, sad → sadder → saddest. With two vowels, there is no double consonant: cheap → cheaper.
No double comparative
Do not say more bigger or more taller. Use -er or more, never both: bigger ✓, more interesting ✓.
Practice quiz
Related pages: Comparatives and superlatives
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Going further
Comparatives and superlatives: often tested in the English contest
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Frequently asked questions
How do you form the comparative in English?+
Short adjectives (1 syllable): adj + -er + than (taller than). Long adjectives (2 syllables or more): more + adj + than (more interesting than). A few are irregular: good → better, bad → worse.
How do you form the superlative in English?+
Short adjectives: the + adj + -est (the tallest). Long adjectives: the most + adj (the most beautiful). Always use the. Irregular forms: the best, the worst.
What are the irregular comparatives and superlatives?+
Good → better → the best. Bad → worse → the worst. Far → farther/further → the farthest/furthest. Little → less → the least. Many/much → more → the most.
How do you use as … as in English?+
Use as + adj + as for two things that are the same: He is as tall as me. For the negative, use not as (or not so) + adj + as: He is not as tall as me. This means he is shorter than me.
Is it taller than me or taller than I?+
Than me is informal and very common in speech. Than I is more formal, often with a verb after it: than I am, than I do. Both are correct. In formal writing, people often choose than I am.
Updated on 6 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 6 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/grammar/comparatives-and-superlatives
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.