This English lesson 36 explains the use and construction of Superlatives and comparatives
Adjectives are used to describe a noun.
Simple form of adjectives: interesting, funny, dark…
There are other forms: 3 forms of comparatives and 2 forms of superlatives.
Comparatives are used to compare two nouns.
Superlatives are used to compare one noun versus all nouns.
1/English Sentence practice
Since he was at university he has wanted to run his own business. He started his agency a while ago.
In fact, it will be three years in September since he started. He wants the business to grow.
It is not the biggest agency in London but it is not the smallest either.
In order that the agency grows bigger, he needs more staff. Skilled staff with knowledge of Digital Marketing.
At the moment he is limited by space. He needs a bigger office but rents are very high.
He would have been better off working outside London. The rents are cheaper and the salaries are lower.
If you work on the internet it does not matter where you are based. You just need a good internet connection.
He has thought about moving to Brighton in the South of England. There the rents are cheaper.
He will have to talk to his girlfriend Sara. It would mean renting his house and changing his lifestyle.
It will be a big upheaval, if he had the choice he would stay in London.
English Vocabulary superlatives and comparatives
2/Vocabulary Practice
- superlatives
- comparitives
- at university
- to run a business.
- an agency
- a while ago.
- In fact
- to grow.
- the biggest
- the smallest
- to grow bigger
- more staff
- skilled
- knowledge
- Digital Marketing.
- to be limited
- space.
- rents
- high, higher, highest
- to be better off working
- cheap, cheaper, cheapest
- salaries
- low, lower, lowest
- the internet
- it does not matter
- to be based.
- internet connection.
- He has thought about moving
- to Brighton
- the South of England.
- lifestyle.
- upheaval
- to have the choice
English Grammar
English Superlatives and comparatives
Adjectives are used to describe a noun.
Simple form of adjectives: interesting, funny, dark…
There are other forms: 3 forms of comparatives and 2 forms of superlatives.
Comparatives are used to compare two nouns.
Superlatives are used to compare one noun versus all nouns.
Comparatives
as as = comparatives of equality. We compare 2 similar or equal elements:
as interesting as
as funny as
as dark as
as long as
as happy as
as good as
as bad as
as far as
less than = comparatives of inferiority. We compare 2 elements one of which is of inferior quality:
less complicated than
less sunny than
less tired than
less long than
less happy than
less good than
less bad than
less far than
more than = comparatives of superiority. We compare 2 elements one of which is of superior quality. One is superior to the other in a certain way:
more beautiful than
more complicated than
more interesting than
This rule is for adjectives of 3 syllables or more. The following rule is for short adjectives:
-er than:
longer than
happier than
bigger than
cleverer than
gentler than
narrower than
Both are sometimes used:
it is more quiet than
it is quieter than
it is more simple than
it is simpler than
Exceptions:
good > better
bad > worse
far > farther = further
Superlatives
the least = inferiority
the most = superiority
for adjectives of 2 syllables or more
the most charming
the least charming
the most expensive
the least expensive
the most compelling
the least compelling
for adjectives of 1 or 2 syllables
the -est
the longest
the happiest
Exceptions
the best
the worst
the farthest / the furthest
Be careful:
It is less stronger (WRONG) > It is less strong.
It is much more easy (WRONG) > It is much easier. It is easy
This is the worse (WRONG) > It is the worst
It is more funnier (WRONG) > It is funnier.
It is easier that (WRONG) > It is easier than…
It is as good like (WRONG). > It is as good as…
English Speaking Practise
Questions and Answers
Is it the longest river in England?
No, but it’s not the shortest.
Is it the biggest agency in London?
Yes, I think it is the biggest agency in London.
Are all the rents cheaper here?
Yes, they are the cheapest in London.
Would you like your house to be bigger?
No I would like it to be smaller.
Will you be better off in your new job?
Yes, but I would be best off doing your job.
And do you think Winston Churchill was great?
No, not really but I think Charles Dickens was.
Would you like this apple?
No, I think your need is greater than mine.
Have you talked to Sarah yet?
No, but I will talk to her when the moment is right.
Are you the smallest in your class?
No, I am small but Robert is smaller.
Do you work hard?
I do, but Robert works harder and Sarah works the hardest.
Lesson 36 recap with Julia.
Comprehension Practice Exercises Lesson 36
Vocabulary Practice
Grammar Practice of superlatives and comparatives
