Home » Parts of Speech » Spelling Rules » Forming Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
One Syllable Adjectives
We usually form the comparative and superlative forms of a one-syllable adjective by adding –er for the comparative form and –est for the superlative: big>bigger>biggest.
There are some exceptions. The table below explains the exceptions.
| If the adjective ends in: consonant + -y |
change the -y to an –i add er/est |
dry > drier > driest |
| If the adjective ends in: consonant + -e |
remove the –e add er/est |
late > later > latest |
| If the adjective ends in: consonant + vowel + consonant |
double the last letter add er/est |
hot > hotter > hottest |
Exception: adjectives ending in -l are regular, except: cruel > crueller > cruellest
Two Syllable Adjectives
We usually form the comparative and superlative forms of a two-syllable adjective by adding more and the most: peaceful> more peaceful> the most peaceful.
There are some exceptions. The table below explains the exceptions.
| If the adjective ends in: consonant + -y |
change the -y to an –i add er/est |
Happy>happier>happiest |
| If the adjectives ends in –er, -le, or –ow | add er/est | Little>littler>littlest |
Three or More Syllable Adjectives
For adjectives with three syllables or more, you form the comparative with more and the superlative with most: beautiful> more beautiful>the most beautiful.
Irregular Forms
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
| Good | Better | Best |
| Bad | Worse | Worst |
| Far | Farther | Farthest |
| Little | Less | Least |
| Many | More | Most |
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