Navigation

Comparatives & Superlatives

Comparatives and superlatives are forms of adjectives and adverbs used to compare things, and are essential in IELTS Writing, Speaking, Reading, and Listening, as well as PTE Describe Image and Retell Lecture.

A2Adjectives & Adverbs

What are Comparatives and Superlatives?

Comparatives and superlatives are forms of adjectives and adverbs that we use to compare things.

  • For one-syllable adjectives, we add -er to form the comparative and -est to form the superlative, like bigger and biggest.
  • For two-syllable adjectives ending in -y, we replace -y with -ier to form the comparative and -iest to form the superlative, like happier and happiest.
  • For other adjectives, we use more to form the comparative and most to form the superlative, like more beautiful and most beautiful.

When do we use Comparatives and Superlatives?

  • We use comparatives to compare two things, like he is taller than me.
  • We use superlatives to compare three or more things, like she is the best singer in the world.
  • We use comparatives and superlatives to describe and compare experiences, like this is the most exciting thing that has happened to me.

Examples of Comparatives and Superlatives

  • This car is faster than mine
  • She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen
  • He is more intelligent than his brother
  • This is the best book I have read this year
  • She sings more beautifully than anyone else in the choir
  • He is the tallest man in the room

Common Mistakes with Comparatives and Superlatives

  • Wrong: he is more tall than me. Correct: he is taller than me
  • Wrong: she is the most beautifullest woman. Correct: she is the most beautiful woman
  • Wrong: . Correct: this car is the fastest of all cars

Tip for Remembering Comparatives and Superlatives

One way to remember the comparative and superlative forms is to practice, practice, practice. Try to use them in your everyday conversations and writing.

Quick check
Which sentence is grammatically correct?

Where this matters in your exam

Comparatives and superlatives are essential in IELTS Writing and Speaking to describe and compare ideas. They are also used in IELTS Reading and Listening to understand comparisons and descriptions.

  • Writing Task 2

    Comparatives and superlatives are often used to describe and compare ideas in IELTS Writing Task 2.

  • Speaking Part 2

    In IELTS Speaking Part 2, comparatives and superlatives are used to describe and compare experiences.