Comparing: -er and -est
You learn to compare with -er and -est.
How to do the test
- Look at the words around the gap.
- If two things are compared with than, add -er.
- If the sentence says the most, with the, add -est.
- Check the spelling: double the last letter or change y to i.
A worked example
Type the correct form of the adjective in brackets. My dog is ___ than yours. (fast)
- The sentence compares two things with than, so add -er.
- Fast needs no spelling change.
- The word is faster.
More examples
Type the correct form of the adjective in brackets. Today I am ___ than yesterday. (happy)
- The sentence compares two things with than, so add -er.
- Change the y to i before -er.
- The word is happier.
Type the correct form of the adjective in brackets. This book is ___ than that one. (good)
- This adjective is irregular, so it changes completely.
- Good, better, best is a pattern to learn.
- The word is better.
Try it yourself
Type the correct form of the adjective in brackets.
A whale is ___ than a shark. (large)
Type the correct form of the adjective in brackets.
My scarf is ___ than yours. (thin)
Watch out
You use -est for two things, as in my dog is the fastest than yours.
Two things with than take -er. The most of many with the takes -est.
Tips
- Good, better, best and bad, worse, worst are irregular. Learn them as they are.
Why it works
To compare two things we add -er and say than. To say which one is the most we add -est and say the. Some short words double the last letter, some change y to i, and a few are irregular.