Comparative & Superlative Adjectives
01 · Quick explanation
Comparatives compare two things (taller than). Superlatives show the top of a group (the tallest).
02 · Full explanation
Short adjectives (one syllable) add -er / -est: tall → taller → the tallest. If they end in -e, add -r / -st (nice → nicer). One vowel + one consonant: double it (big → bigger → the biggest). Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y change y to i (happy → happier → the happiest). Longer adjectives use more / the most (interesting → more interesting → the most interesting). Irregular: good → better → the best; bad → worse → the worst; far → farther / further → the farthest / furthest. Use than after a comparative and the before a superlative.
03 · Formula
04 · Affirmative
+ adj-er / more + adj + than
- Astana is colder than Almaty.
- This is the most interesting book.
05 · Negative
− not as + adj + as
- My bag isn't as heavy as yours.
- It isn't the cheapest phone.
06 · Question
? the + adj-est / the most + adj
- Who is the tallest in your class?
- Is Russian easier than English?
07 · Examples
ENAn elephant is bigger than a horse.
KZПіл аттан үлкен.
RUСлон больше лошади.
ENThis test is easier than the last one.
KZБұл тест алдыңғысынан оңайырақ.
RUЭтот тест легче предыдущего.
ENKhan Tengri is one of the highest mountains in Kazakhstan.
KZХан Тәңірі — Қазақстандағы ең биік таулардың бірі.
RUХан-Тенгри — одна из самых высоких гор Казахстана.
ENShe is the best student in our group.
KZОл — біздің топтағы ең үздік оқушы.
RUОна лучшая ученица в нашей группе.
ENMy room is as big as yours.
KZМенің бөлмем сенікіндей үлкен.
RUМоя комната такая же большая, как твоя.
ENMy bag is heavier than yours.
KZМенің сөмкем сенікінен ауыр.
RUМоя сумка тяжелее твоей.
ENThis is the most beautiful park in our city.
KZБұл — қаламыздағы ең әдемі саябақ.
RUЭто самый красивый парк в нашем городе.
ENToday is worse than yesterday.
KZБүгін кешегіден де нашар.
RUСегодня хуже, чем вчера.
ENIs Astana bigger than Shymkent?
KZАстана Шымкенттен үлкен бе?
RUАстана больше Шымкента?
ENHe isn't as tall as his brother.
KZОл ағасындай ұзын емес.
RUОн не такой высокий, как его брат.
08 · Signal words
09 · Common mistakes
✗ more taller
✓ taller
Do not use more with -er.
✗ gooder
✓ better
Good is irregular: good → better → the best.
✗ She is taller that me.
✓ She is taller than me.
After a comparative use than.
10 · Compare with similar grammar
Comparative vs Superlative
Comparative = two things + than. Superlative = three or more, the + -est / the most.
Tom is older than Ali.
Tom is the oldest in the family.
This film is better than that one.
It's the best film of the year.
11 · Interactive exercises
Answer each task and press Check. Type answers in English.
0 / 10 · 0 checked
1. Choose the correct answer:
My brother is ___ than me.
2. Choose the correct answer:
This is ___ film I have ever seen.
3. Fill in the gap:
A car is ___ (fast) than a bicycle.
4. Fill in the gap:
Today is ___ (hot) than yesterday.
5. Fill in the gap:
She is the ___ (happy) girl in the class.
6. Fill in the gap:
My marks are ___ (good) than last year.
7. Choose the correct answer:
That was the ___ day of my holiday.
8. Choose the correct answer:
English is not as difficult ___ Chinese.
9. Correct the sentence:
Almaty is more big than Taraz.
10. Correct the sentence:
He is the most tall boy in our school.
12 · Mini test
Question 1 / 5
Which sentence is correct?
13 · Practice
Choose a skill to practise this topic.