Comparison of adjectives

> A - Comparison with -er/-est clean - cleaner - (the) cleanest We use -er/-est with the following adjectives: 1) adjectives with one syllable clean cleaner cleanest new newer newest cheap cheaper cheapest 2) adjectives with two syllables and the following endings: 2 - 1) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -y dirty dirtier dirtiest easy easier easiest happy happier happiest pretty prettier prettiest 2 - 2) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -er clever cleverer cleverest 2 - 3) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -le simple simpler simplest 2 - 4) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -ow narrow narrower narrowest Spelling of the adjectives using the endings -er/-est large larger largest leave out the silent -e big bigger biggest Double the consonant after short vowel sad sadder saddest dirty dirtier dirtiest Change -y to -i (consonant before -y) shy shyer shyest Here -y is not changed to -i.(although consonant before -y) B - Comparison with more - most difficult - more difficult - (the) most difficult all adjectives with more than one syllable (except some adjectives with two syllables - see 2 - 1 to 2 - 4) C - Irregular adjectives good better best bad worse worst much more most uncountable nouns many more most countable nouns little less least little smaller smallest D - Special adjectives Some ajdectives have two possible forms of comparison. common commoner / more common commonest / most common likely likelier / more likely likeliest / most likely pleasant pleasanter / more pleasant pleasantest / most pleasant polite politer / more polite politest / most polite simple simpler / more simple simplest / most simple stupid stupider / more stupid stupidest / most stupid subtle subtler / more subtle subtlest sure surer / more sure surest / most sure Difference in meaning with adjectives: far farther farthest distance further furthest distance or time late later latest latter x x last old older oldest people and things elder eldest people (family) near nearer nearest distance x next order