Explanation
Exercises

Comparatives & Superlatives — Adjectives and Adverbs (B1)

Form · Use · Spelling rules · Useful patterns

Core ideas

  • Comparative compares two: A is taller than B.
  • Superlative compares 3+: A is the tallest in the class.
  • Use than with comparatives; use the (or my/your/Anna’s) with superlatives.

Adjectives — form

  • 1 syllable: add -er / -est → old → older → the oldest.
  • Ends in -e: add -r / -st → large → larger → the largest.
  • C–V–C ending: double final consonant → big → bigger → the biggest.
  • Ends in -y (consonant + y): -ier / -iest → happy → happier → the happiest.
  • Two+ syllables: use more / most → comfortable → more comfortable → the most comfortable.
  • Some 2-syllable adjectives (e.g., clever, quiet, narrow, simple) accept either pattern: cleverer / more clever.
  • Irregular:
    Positive
    Comparative
    Superlative
    good / well
    better
    the best
    bad / badly
    worse
    the worst
    far
    farther / further
    the farthest / the furthest
    little (amount)
    less
    the least
    much / many
    more
    the most
    old
    older / elder*
    the oldest / eldest*
    *elder/eldest only before nouns for family members: my elder sister.
  • Don’t double: never use both forms together: ✗ more better, ✗ the most easiest.

Adverbs — form

  • Adverbs in -ly use more / most: quietly → more quietly → the most quietly.
  • Adverbs with the same form as adjectives take -er / -est: fast → faster → the fastest; hard → harder → the hardest; early → earlier → the earliest.
  • Irregular: well → better → the best, badly → worse → the worst.

How we use them

  • Comparatives
    • White meat is healthier than red meat.
    • less + adjective + than: This route is less direct than that one.
    • (not) as + adj. + as: It isn’t as easy as it looks.
    • Pronouns after than / as: She’s taller than me / than I am.
    • Modifiers: a bit / slightly, much / far / a lot → far more interesting, a bit cheaper.
    • any / no + comparative: Your plan is no better than mine. / It isn’t any cheaper.
    • Comparative + and + comparative: change over time → It’s getting hotter and hotter.
    • The + comparative, the + comparative (cause–result): The more you practise, the better you get.
  • Superlatives
    • Use with the (or possessives): the best · my most expensive jacket.
    • Place/time phrases: in + places/groups → the tallest in the class; of + periods/sets → the best day of my life.
    • one of the + superlative + plural noun: one of the most exciting cities.
    • by far to intensify: by far the easiest option.
    • With present perfect + ever: the best book I’ve ever read.
    • the least = opposite of the most: the least useful feature.

Extra notes & examples

  • Actions with adverbs: She drives fast, but I drive faster. · He plays better than me.
  • Meaning contrasts: the latest (= most recent) vs the last (= final one in a series).
  • Natural style: prefer than me in everyday speech; than I am is more formal/careful.
Exercises:
1
2
3

Comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs

Choose the correct option to complete the sentences below.

Hi Alex,

Lisbon is amazing! The Atlantic is 1 usual, and the evenings are 2 . Locals speak 3 I expected.

The pastries are 4 I’ve ever tasted. Of all the districts I’ve seen, Alfama is 5 .

My hotel is 6 the one we booked in Porto, but the side streets are 7 I imagined.

Prices seem 8 last year, but the metro runs 9 . I’m spending 10 than I expected, though!

See you soon,
Marta

Comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs

Choose the correct option for each gap below.
1
This road is _____ than the old one.
A.
B.
C.
2
That’s the _____ restaurant in town.
A.
B.
C.
3
Could you drive _____? I’m feeling sick.
A.
B.
C.
4
My new phone works _____ than the old one, but the battery is _____.
A.
B.
C.
5
Of all the students, Emma reads the _____.
A.
B.
C.
6
This is _____ problem we’ve ever faced.
A.
B.
C.
7
I feel _____ today than yesterday.
A.
B.
C.
8
This puzzle is _____ to solve than that one.
A.
B.
C.
9
January is usually the _____ month of the year here.
A.
B.
C.
10
She arrived the _____ of all, so she got the best seat.
A.
B.
C.

Comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs

Complete the sentences with the comparative or superlative forms of the words in brackets.
1
This route is (short) than the one we took yesterday.
2
Please drive (carefully) than usual.
3
Of the three brothers, Leo is the (tall).
4
That was the (bad) storm we’ve had this year.
5
My laptop runs much (fast) after the update.
6
Which city is (far), Oslo or Stockholm?
7
That was the (interesting) lecture of the course.
8
He arrived (early) than everyone else.
9
This puzzle is (difficult) than I expected.
10
Who sings (well), Ella or Mia?