Superlatives and comparatives explained in English lesson 36.

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

Canada College

Some superlatives and comparatives