Unit 8.2
Irregular Comparatives and Superlatives
Syntax
Comparatives are used to compare two things, people or actions while superlatives express the superiority of one thing, person or action.
There are some adjectives and adverbs with irregular comparatives and superlatives.
Irregular comparatives and superlatives do not follow the general formation rule. The most commonly used irregular comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs are:
| Adjectives | Adverbs | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|---|
| bad (adj.) | badly (adv.) | worse | the worst |
| little | little | less | the least |
| much | much | more | the most |
| good (adj.) | well (adv.) | better | the best |
| far | far | farther/further | the farthest/furthest |
Comparative
- Susan is a better assistant than her sister.
- You have to go farther to get to the lawyer’s office.
- Peter is going to talk to him later about the house.
Superlative
- John is the best assistant in the office.
- This is the furthest point I’ve ever reached in the agency!
- They come to the garage the latest.
The irregular comparatives and superlatives are used in the same way as the regular ones.
With irregular adjectives/adverbs, the comparative and superlative forms cannot be created in the same way as the regular ones and they should be learned by heart. The most commonly used are:
- Bad (adj.) – badly (adv.) ⇒ worse (comp.) – the worst (super.);
- Good (adj.) – well (adv.) ⇒ better (comp.) – the best (super.).
For example:
— Comparative: “You can write a good CV.” ⇒ “You can write a better CV.” / “You can write a gooder CV.“
— Superlative: “You can write a good CV.” ⇒ “You can write the best CV.” / “You can write the goodest CV.“
Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. Take a look at the {Example} section that shows its use within a context.
