Casa ESL · grammar guides · level A2
Comparatives and Superlatives — Complete Guide
Bigger, more interesting, the best, the worst — comparing is half of conversation. The rules split neatly by syllable count, with a short list of famous rebels.
Short adjectives: -er / -est
One syllable: add -er/-est — old, older, the oldest. Spelling: big → bigger (double the consonant), nice → nicer, dry → drier.
Two syllables ending in -y: happy → happier → the happiest.
Long adjectives: more / the most
Two or more syllables: more expensive, the most expensive; more interesting, the most interesting. Never combine systems: "more bigger" is doubly wrong.
The rebels and the patterns around them
Irregulars: good → better → the best; bad → worse → the worst; far → further → the furthest; little → less → the least; much/many → more → the most.
Comparisons use than (not that/then): "Toronto is colder than Miami." Equality uses as … as: "He's as tall as his father." Softeners and boosters: a bit cheaper, much faster, by far the best.
| Type | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| short (tall) | taller than | the tallest |
| -y (easy) | easier than | the easiest |
| long (modern) | more modern than | the most modern |
| good / bad | better / worse | the best / the worst |
| equality | as fast as | — |
Common mistakes
✓ This one is better.
Never more + -er together.
✓ She is taller than me.
Than for comparisons; then is time.
✓ The easiest way.
Never most + -est together.
Practice
- February is ___ (short) month of the year.
show answer
the shortest - This film is much ___ (interesting) than the book.
show answer
more interesting - My coffee is twice ___ (expensive) ___ yours.
show answer
as expensive as
FAQ
When do I use -er and when do I use more?
Short adjectives of one syllable (and two-syllable ones ending in -y) take -er: colder, happier. Longer adjectives take more: more expensive, more comfortable.
What are the most common irregular comparatives?
Good → better → best, bad → worse → worst, far → further → furthest, little → less → least, much/many → more → most.
Is "more better" ever correct?
No. Choose one system: better (irregular comparative) already contains the comparison, so more is redundant and ungrammatical.
Want this to actually stick?
One-on-one lessons with a real teacher, or free worksheets for this level — your pace, your goals.
More guides: Present Simple · Past Simple · Present Continuous · Present Perfect