Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
Learn how to compare things: big, bigger, biggest. A fun grammar lesson for ages 6-8 on comparative and superlative adjectives with matching games.
Key takeaways
- A comparative compares two things and often ends in -er, like bigger
- A superlative compares three or more and often ends in -est, like biggest
- Long words use more and most, like more careful and most careful
Comparing words
Adjectives are words that describe things, like big 🐘 or fast 🏎️. But what if you want to compare? Then the adjective can change shape!
There are three steps:
- big — just one thing
- bigger — comparing two things
- biggest — comparing three or more things
Comparatives: add -er
A comparative compares two things. Most of the time you add -er.
- tall → taller 🦒
- small → smaller 🐭
- fast → faster 🏎️
- cold → colder ❄️
A giraffe is taller than a horse. 🦒
Superlatives: add -est
A superlative compares three or more things. It tells you the most of all! Add -est.
- tall → tallest 🦒
- small → smallest 🐭
- fast → fastest 🏎️
- cold → coldest ❄️
The giraffe is the tallest animal of all! 🦒
When y becomes i
If the word ends in y, change the y to i:
- happy → happier → happiest 😀
- easy → easier → easiest ✅
Long words use more and most
Some adjectives are too long for -er and -est. For these, we use more and most.
- careful → more careful → most careful 🧐
- beautiful → more beautiful → most beautiful 🌸
A handy table
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| big 🐘 | bigger | biggest |
| fast 🏎️ | faster | fastest |
| happy 😀 | happier | happiest |
| careful 🧐 | more careful | most careful |
You did it!
Now you can compare anything! Remember: -er for two, -est for the most.
Next, try Nouns, Verbs and Adjectives and Opposites and Synonyms.
Quick quiz
Test yourself and earn XP
Which word compares TWO things?
Bigger compares two things. It is a comparative.
An elephant is the ___ animal here.
Biggest compares three or more. It is a superlative 🐘.
What is the comparative of 'happy'?
Happy changes y to i: happier.
Play & learn
Match the adjective to its superlative +10 XP
Completed ✓ +10 XP
Three steps of comparing +5 XP
Completed ✓ +5 XP
FAQ
A comparative adjective compares two things and usually ends in -er, like taller or faster.
A superlative adjective compares three or more things and usually ends in -est, like tallest or fastest.
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