-->

Home > Grammar > Adjectives > Forming Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

Forming Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

The function of comparative and superlative adjectives

A comparative adjective is a describing word that compares something to something else. 

A superlative adjective is a describing word that describes the highest degree of a describing word without the need for an adverb.

How to form comparatives and superlatives

Comparative adjectives can usually be formed by adding the suffix er to an adjective. 

Examples:

  • Harder
  • Softer
  • Smarter
  • Faster 

The superlative form of this would use the suffix est.

Examples:

  • Hardest
  • Softest 
  • Smartest
  • Fastest 

When these suffixes aren’t appropriate for the adjective, the word ‘more’ is used for the comparative, and ‘most’ for the superlative.

7 Days Free Readability Scoring

Try Readable for 7 days entirely free, or cancel any time if you don't love it.