Comparatives and superlatives of adjectives

How to use Comparatives

We use Comparatives to compare people and things with other people and things.
It can be used the following scheme: subject + verb + the comparative + than + the object of comparison
An example: The giraffe is bigger then my dog (La giraffa è più grande del mio gatto).

The Comparative, as a general rule, is formed by adding the ending -er to the base form of the adjective.

How to use Superlatives

We use Superlatives (usually with the) to compare people and things with all of the group that they are in.
Il can be used the following scheme: subject + verb + the + the superlative + the object of the superlative
E.g. A is the biggest of the three letters (A è la più grande delle tre lettere).

The Superlative, as a general rule, is formed by adding the ending -est to the base form of the adjective.

Exceptions in the formation of Comparatives and Superlatives

Sometimes, it is not sufficient to add the ending -er or -est to the base form of the adjectives because they can modify, in the process, their stem.

For example:
- When the adjective is formed by a consonant, one vocal and another consonant, the last consonant should be doubled before adding the ending (fat – fatter – fattest; sad – sadder – saddest).

- When the adjective is formed by two or moresyllables, the comparative is formed by adding more to the base form of the adjective while the superlative is formed by adding most to the base form of the adjective (clever – more clever – most clever; yummy – more yummy – most yummy; cheerful – more cheerful – most cheerful; important – more important – most important).

- When the adjective ends with y, the y should be changed into i before adding -er or -est. In this case, it is uncommon to add more or most instead of the usual endings. (baggy – baggier – baggiest; happy – happier – happiest).

List of examples of Comparatives and Superlatives

Old - older - oldest

Big - bigger - biggest

Slim - slimmer - slimmest

Low - lower - lowest

Tall - taller - tallest

Slow - slower - slower

Green - greener - greenest

Wet - wetter - wettest

Quiet - quieter - quietest

Safe – safer - safest

Nice – nicer - nicest

Young – younger - youngest

Healthy – healthier - healthiest

Spicy – spicier - spiciest

Hot – hotter - hottest

New – newer - newest

Small – smaller - smallest

Fat – fatter - fattest

High – higher - highest

Short – shorter - shortest

Fast – faster - fastest

Dry – drier - driest

Rich – richer - richest

Noisy – noisier - noisiest

Messy - messier - messiest

Cheap – cheaper – cheapest

Famous – more famous - most famous

Beautiful – more beautiful – most beautiful

Interesting – more interesting – most interesting

Irregular forms of Comparatives and Superlatives

There are some irregular forms of adjectives that change completely when they become Comparatives and Superlatives and, in order to catch them, they should be memorized.

Good – Better – Best
Bad – Worse – Worst
Little - Less - Least
Much - More - Most
Far - Further/Farther - Furthest/Farthest