COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES- ADJECTIVES OF SUPERIORITY

Grammar Review: Units 5 & 6 Duration: 1 Hour

Noticing Task 1

Jane went to a safari trip in South Africa. Read her e-mail to her sister Yara , then answer the questions which follow.

What does Jane notice about the zebras?What does Jane think of her trip to South Africa?

Dear Yara,

How have you been ? How are your swimming lessons going? How are our brothers? I hope they are not bothering you so much.

You should see South Africa! It is absolutely gorgeous here. Yesterday we went on a safari trip, and I can’t begin to tell you how much I enjoyed the experience.

All the animals are so well fed and taken care of in the reservation camps. I saw one fat zebra drinking by the river, and I could barely hold my breath in fear of startling it, only to find out a whole herd of zebras with one fatter than the next!

I definitely find this trip more enjoyable than the time we visited New York city, as I feel closer to nature here. The only thing I wish for is that you would be here to enjoy the sights with me.

Usage 1

Comparatives

•What are adjectives?

Adjectives are simply words that describe.

Ex. The book is interesting.Ex. I have a tall sister.

Comparative adjectives are a type of adjective used for highlighting the difference between two objects, or two nouns.

Use comparative adjectives to compare two objects or two nouns.

Ex. My sister is taller than me.Ex. That book is more expensive than the one I saw at Jarir Bookstore.

Rules 1

1. Add “er” to the end of one-syllable adjectives. (superiority)

! Do not forget to add “than” before the name of the person being compared to.

Structure: Subject + verb + comparative adjective + (noun) +than + object

Ex. David is a stronger speller than Navid.

2. For adjectives that end with a consonant preceded by a vowel, double the final consonant and then add “er”.

Ex. Big BiggerEx. Thin ThinnerEx. Fat Fatter

3. For adjectives that end in “y”, change “y” to “i” and add “er”.

Ex. Silly SillierEx. Pretty Prettier

Rules 2

4. Add “er” to two-syllable adjectives ending in –er, -le, -ow, -y.

Ex. Simple SimplerEx. Narrow NarrowerEx. Clever Cleverer

5. For adjectives with –le ending add only the “r”.

Ex. Gentle GentlerEx. Supple Suppler

6. Use “more” for comparative adjectives that have two syllables or more Except for adjectives that end with: er, le, ow and y)

Ex. Beautiful More BeautifulEx. Famous More Famous

7. Equally, use “less” for comparative adjectives that have more than one syllable when making negative comparisons. (inferiority)

Ex. Beautiful Less BeautifulEx. Famous Less Famous

Quick Practice 1

Complete the sentences with adjectives from the box. Turn the adjectives into comparatives. The first one is done for you.

Silver is ___________________________________________ gold..

Noticing Task 2

Read the conversation between two sisters then answer the questions which follow.

1 Yara Jane, would you mind if I borrow your blue dress to wear to the party tonight?

2 Jane No problem, but you are taller than me and the dress might look too short on you.

3 Yara I am definitely not taller. We are close in height. Haya I think is the tallest. She is known as “giraffe” in her class.

4 Jane You are hilarious Yara. Why don’t you borrow one of Haya’s dresses then?

5 Yara Not if I don’t want to look like a sack!6 Yara I will look in my closet again. I think tonight’s party is

exciting.7 Jane Are you kidding? It’s the most exciting barbecue we will

have ever!In line 5, what information are you given about Haya compared to Yara?In line 7, what does Jane think of tonight’s party?

Usage 2

Superlatives•! Remember

Adjectives are words that describe.

Ex. The book is very interesting.Ex. I have a pretty sister.

The superlative of superiority compares more than two objects or nouns ( people, animals, ideas..) and establishes that one of them is superior to all others in a particular aspect, expressed by the positive adjective. Comparative adjectives that have one syllable:Ex. My sister is the tallest in her class.Ex. My neighbourhood is the safest in the city.Ex. Jamal is the slowest runner in our team.

Rules 3

1. Add “est” to the end of one-syllable adjectives.

! Do not forget to add “the” before the superlative adjective of superiority.

Structure: Subject + verb be+ the + adjective + -est + inferior group (noun)

Ex. Fatima is the tallest of the three sisters.

2. For adjectives that end with a consonant preceded by a vowel, double the final consonant and then add “est”.

Ex. Big Bigger BiggestEx. Thin Thinner ThinnestEx. Fat Fatter Fattest

3. For adjectives that end in “y”, change “y” to “i” and add “est”.

Ex. Silly Sillier SilliestEx. Pretty Prettier Prettiest

Rules 4

4. Add “est” to two-syllable adjectives ending in –er, -le, -ow, -y.

Ex. Simple Simpler SimplestEx. Narrow Narrower Narrowest

5. For adjectives with –le or –e ending add only the “st”.

Ex. Gentle Gentler GentlestEx. Supple Suppler

SupplestEx. Safe Safer Safest

6. Use “most” for comparative adjectives that have more than one syllable, except for the ones mentioned in # 4.

7. Ex. Beautiful More Beautiful Most Beautiful

Ex. Famous More Famous Most Famous

7. Equally, use “least” for comparative adjectives that have more than one syllable when making negative comparisons.

Ex. Beautiful Less Beautiful Least Beautiful

Ex. Famous Less Famous Least Famous

Quick Practice 2

Complete the newspaper article with the correct comparative or superlative form of adjectives.

Noticing Task 3

Read the statements below , then answer the questions which follow.

To which score is the boy comparing his latest results?To which menu is the man comparing today’s menu?

Yesterday's menu

was good but today's is better.

This is the best score I've ever had in an

exam.

Usage 3

Irregular Comparatives & Superlatives•! Remember

Some adjectives have irregular comparatives and superlatives.

• Use good to describe superior quality.

Good Better Best

• Use well when referring to health.

Well Better Best

Usage 4

Irregular Comparatives & Superlatives• Use bad to describe inferior quality.

Bad Worse Worst

• Use little when referring to something uncountable.

Little Less Least

• Use few when referring to something countable.

Few Fewer Fewest

Usage 5

Irregular Comparatives & Superlatives• Use far to describe distance.

Far Farther Farthest

• Use far to describe extent.

Far Further Furthest

• Use many when referring to something countable or for two or more syllable adjectives.

Many More Most

• Use much when referring to something uncountable.

Much More Most

Quick Practice 3

Complete the sentences with the correct irregular adjectives.

1. Tara is the (good) athlete in the school. _______2. My house is the (farther) one among the group . _______

3. A bag made from alligator leather is (much) expensive that one made from crocodile leather. _______4. There are (many) pencils in this

box than the other one. _______

Quick Practice 4