Comparative and Superlative

Comparative

Is the name for the grammar used when comparing two things. The two basic ways to compare are using as .. as or than. Examples: He is twice as old as his sister.

He is older than his sister

When comparing with as .. as, the adjective does not change. When comparing with than, however, some changes are necessary, depending on the number of syllables the adjective:one-syllable adjectives: add -er to the adjective

tall tallercold colder

two-syllable adjectives ending in -y: change the -y to -ier

happy happiereasy easierlucky luckier

Other 2-syllable adjectives: use more with the unchanged adjective

crowded more crowdedboring more boringcareful more careful

Adjectives with 3 or more syllables: use more with the unchanged adjective

difficult more difficultintelligent more intelligentenjoyable more enjoyableirritating more irritating

Superlative

In the superlative you talk about one thing only and how it is the best, worst, etc. You do not compare two things. Examples: He is the tallest of the class.

She is the youngest of the family

one-syllable adjectives: add -est to the adjective plus “the”

tall (the) tallestcold (the) coldest

two-syllable adjectives ending in -y: change the -y to -iest plus “the”

happy (the) happiesteasy (the) easiestlucky (the) luckiest

Other 2-syllable adjectives: use most with the unchanged adjective

crowded (the) most crowdedboring (the) most boringcareful (the) most careful

Adjectives with 3 or more syllables: use most with the unchanged adjective

difficult (the) most difficultintelligent (the) most intelligentenjoyable (the) most enjoyableirritating (the) most irritating

ExceptionsIrregular adjectives:

Adjective Comparative Superlative

good better best

bad worse worst

far farther farthest

little less least

many more most

Fill in the gaps with the comparative or superlative form of the adjectives given.

1. A rock is _________ than a leaf. (heavy)2. Our house is __________than yours. (big)3. The princess is _________ than the witch. (beautiful)4. Tom is a ___________ student than Mary. (good)5. Bicycles are _________ than motorbikes. (safe)6. Jim is the ________ player in the football team. (good)7. Elephants are the ____________ animals. (heavy)8. Let's pick the _____________ apple of the tree. (big)9. Mary is the ____________ girl in the class. (thin)10. That is the ________ sofa in our house. (comfortable)

Demonstrative pronouns

demonstrate (verb): to show; to indicate; to point to

A demonstrative pronoun represents a thing or things:

near in distance or time (this, these)far in distance or time (that, those)

demonstrate (verb): to show; to indicate; to point to

A demonstrative pronoun represents a thing or things:

near in distance or time (this, these)far in distance or time (that, those)

That smells. (demonstrative pronoun)

That book is good. (demonstrative adjective + noun)

Do not confuse demonstrative pronouns with demonstrative adjectives. They are identical, but a demonstrative pronoun stands alone, while a

demonstrative adjective qualifies a noun:

ExerciseChoose the correct answer.

1. __________ book is expensive.a) Thisb) These

2. __________ cat is small.a) Thatb) Those

3. __________ pens are blue. a) Thisb) These

4. __________ movie is funny.a) Thatb) Those

5. __________ airplanes are very big.a) Thatb) Those

6. __________ morning is perfect for a walk. a) Thisb) These

7. __________ car is expensive.a) Thatb) Those

8. __________ candy is delicious.a) Thisb) These

9.__________ children are cold.a) Thatb) Those

10. __________ food is healthy.a) Thisb) These