Bigger, more expensive, the best: comparing things
Comparatives and superlatives, as … as, and the irregular good, bad and far
What you'll be able to do
Compare places, products, jobs and people: choose a hotel, describe your city, say which option is best and why.
The rules
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| short: cheap, old | cheaper, older | the cheapest, the oldest |
| ending in -e: nice | nicer | the nicest |
| one vowel + consonant: big, hot | bigger, hotter | the biggest, the hottest |
| ending in -y: easy, happy | easier, happier | the easiest, the happiest |
| long: expensive, interesting | more expensive | the most expensive |
| irregular: good, bad, far | better, worse, further / farther | the best, the worst, the furthest / farthest |
- This flat is bigger than the last one.comparing two things
- It's the most expensive hotel in the city.the top of a group
- The train is as fast as the plane.the same
- My new job is better than my old one.good, better, best
Use than after a comparative: cheaper than, never cheaper that.
Common mistakes
more cheaperUse one or the other: cheaper.She is more tall than me.Short adjectives take -er: taller than.the most good→ the best.as fast than→ as fast as.
Practice
- My new flat is _____ than my old one.Options: bigger · more big · biggest
Show the answer
bigger — Short adjective + -er; double the g after one vowel.
- It's _____ restaurant in town.Options: the most expensive · the expensivest · more expensive
Show the answer
the most expensive — Long adjective: the most + adjective.
- Today is _____ than yesterday. I feel much better.Options: easier · more easy · easyer
Show the answer
easier — Consonant + y → -ier.
- This is _____ film I've ever seen!Options: the worst · the baddest · the most bad
Show the answer
the worst — Bad is irregular: bad, worse, the worst.
- The bus is cheap, but the train is _____ (fast).
Show the answer
faster — Short adjective + -er.
In the app, this lesson is taught one idea at a time with the examples read aloud, then practised with questions you answer by choosing or typing. It comes back for review on later days, until you can use it without help.