Regular & Irregular forms
regular forms:
For comparison in English grammar:
Comparative Adjectives:
- We use comparative adjectives to show change or make comparisons. Here are the basic rules:
- One-Syllable Adjectives:
- Add “-er” for the comparative form and “-est” for the superlative form:
- Old: Base Form ➡️ Older (Comparative) ➡️ Oldest (Superlative)
- Long: Base Form ➡️ Longer (Comparative) ➡️ Longest (Superlative)
- Add “-er” for the comparative form and “-est” for the superlative form:
- Adjectives Ending in “-e”:
- Add “-r” for the comparative form and “-st” for the superlative form:
- Nice: Base Form ➡️ Nicer (Comparative) ➡️ Nicest (Superlative)
- Large: Base Form ➡️ Larger (Comparative) ➡️ Largest (Superlative)
- Add “-r” for the comparative form and “-st” for the superlative form:
- Adjectives Ending in a Vowel and a Consonant:
- Double the consonant and add “-er” for the comparative form and “-est” for the superlative form:
- Big: Base Form ➡️ Bigger (Comparative) ➡️ Biggest (Superlative)
- Fat: Base Form ➡️ Fatter (Comparative) ➡️ Fattest (Superlative)
- Double the consonant and add “-er” for the comparative form and “-est” for the superlative form:
- Adjectives Ending in a Consonant and “-y”:
- Change “-y” to “-i” and add “-er” for the comparative form and “-est” for the superlative form:
- Happy: Base Form ➡️ Happier (Comparative) ➡️ Happiest (Superlative)
- Change “-y” to “-i” and add “-er” for the comparative form and “-est” for the superlative form:
- One-Syllable Adjectives:
- We use comparative adjectives to show change or make comparisons. Here are the basic rules:
Adverbs in Comparative Form:
- For adverbs, we use “more” for the comparative form and “most” for the superlative form:
- Quickly: Comparative ➡️ More quickly ➡️ Superlative ➡️ Most quickly
- For adverbs, we use “more” for the comparative form and “most” for the superlative form:
Irregular forms:
When comparing things or expressing degrees of comparison, some adjectives don’t follow the typical pattern of adding “er” or “est” Instead, they have unique forms:
- Good / Better / The best:
She is a good student. / Her sister is an even better student. / She is the best student.
- Many / More / The most: These words describe quantity or number:
We have many books. / The library has more books than ours. / The national library has the most extensive collection.
- Much / More / The most: These express degree or intensity:
He doesn’t have much time. / She has more patience than anyone I know. / His dedication is the most admirable quality.
- Far / Farther / The farthest: These relate to distance:
- Bad / Worse / The worst: These describe quality:
His behavior is bad. / Unfortunately, it got worse over time. / The situation became the worst it could be.
- Few / Fewer / The fewest: These refer to a small number:
We have few options. / After downsizing, we now have fewer employees. / This company has the fewest employees in the industry.”
- Little / Less / The least: These indicate a small amount:
“Farther” vs. “Further”:
Farther:
Refers to physical distance.
The bus stop is farther down the road. / I can’t walk farther; my legs are tired.”
Further:
Often means additional or supplementary.
We need to investigate further. / Please provide further details. / His research goes further than anyone else’s.