How is it?
- One syllable ending in -e
- One syllable
- One syllable ( cons. +vowel + cons.)
- Two syllables ending in -y
- Two or more syllables
- Exceptions
nice
strange
-R
nicer
stranger
John is nicer than Jane.
John is stranger than Jane.
-ST
the fastest
the youngest
John is the nicest in the class.
John is the strangest in the class.
fast
young
-ER
faster
younger
John is faster than Jane.
John is younger than Jane.
-EST
the fastest
the youngest
John is the fastest in the class.
John is the youngest in the class.
Double the last consonant +
big
sad
-ER
bigger
hotter
John is bigger than Jane.
John is sadder than Jane.
-EST
the biggest
the hottest
John is the biggest in the class.
John is the saddest in the class.
Remove the -y +
happy
crazy
-IER
happier
crazier
John is happier than Jane.
John is crazier than Jane.
-IEST
the happiest
the craziest
John is the happiest in the class.
John is the craziest in the class.
famous
beautiful
MORE +
more famous
more beautiful
John is more famous than Jane.
Jane is more beautiful than John.
MOST +
the most famous
the most beautiful
John is the most famous in the class.
Jane is the most beautiful in the class.
good/well
bad
little
far
better
John is better than Jane.
worse
John is worse than Jane.
less
John is less playful than Jane.
further
John is lives further than Jane.
the best
John is the best in the class.
the worst
John is the worst in the class.
the least
John is the least playful in class.
the furthest
John lives the furthest in the class.
Gradable adjectives
Most adjectives are gradable. This means we can make them stronger or weaker by using words like ‘very‘. We cannot use words like ‘completely‘ or ‘absolutely‘ though.
| Cold | The weather was slightly cold in the morning. |
| Happy | She felt quite happy after receiving the good news. |
| Expensive | This watch is a bit expensive for my taste. |
| Loud | The music at the concert was very loud. |
| Bright | The room was fairly bright with the new lights. |
| Heavy | The package was heavier than the table. |
| Small | This apartment is the smallest I’ve seen. |
Non-gradable adjectives
Non-gradable adjectives are extreme and we cannot make them stronger or weaker by using words like ‘very‘. We can use words like ‘completely‘, ‘absolutely‘, ‘totally‘ or ‘really‘
| Delicious | The rice was incredibly delicious. |
| Empty | Wait until the bag is completely empty to wash it. |
| Impossible | This puzzle is absolutely impossible to finish. |
| Finished | The concert was nearly finished when you called. |
| Perfect | The room was almost perfect in that colour. |
| Amazing | The views were really amazing from up there. |
| Free | This meal is completely free with the coupon. |
a bit, a little, slightly, not much, not a lot
Used to describe a small difference
My brother is a little younger than me.
= only 1 or 2 years younger than me.
much, a lot, far
Used to describe a large difference
I’m much fitter than my brother, but he is a lot faster than me.
= I am healthier by a large amount but he can run faster by a large amount.
(not) as (adjective/adverb) as
Used to describe two things that are the same (or not)
I am as tall as my brother.
= we are both 1.62 metres tall.
