English Grammar Test: Comparatives and Superlatives

Less + adjective + than compares downward. The second half of the sentence shows the new sofa is worse, and fewer is used only with plural nouns.

One-syllable adjectives ending in one vowel + one consonant double the consonant: hot, hotter, hottest. The + so far shows a superlative.

Long adjectives such as difficult use more in the comparative. More difficulter uses both forms at once.

Bad is irregular: bad, worse, worst. With than, you need the comparative worse, not the superlative worst.

Good is irregular: good, better, best. The ... I've ever seen calls for the superlative best.

Equal comparisons use as + adjective + as; the negative is not as ... as. Than belongs only with comparatives like taller than.

The pattern the + comparative, the + comparative shows two things changing together: the more ..., the better .... Superlatives do not fit this pattern.

Comparing one lake with the whole group of five needs the superlative: the largest. Larger compares only two things.

To make a comparative stronger, use much, far or a lot: much easier. Very goes with the plain adjective (very easy), not with the comparative.

Fast is a short word, so its comparative is faster. More faster is a double comparative.