LanguageGuide: English Grammar: Introduction: Comparisons II

When making comparisons, -er is normally appended to the end of one syllable adjectives or adverbs.

	Charles is smarter than Robert.
	He is meaner than him.
	She is kinder than her husband.
	She speaks faster than her sister.

The superlative form is created by appending -est to the end.

-Er and -est are also used for two syllable adjectives that end in y. The y becomes i.

	That frog is uglier.
	She is the prettiest.
	Your child is naughtier than mine.

Most adjectives or adverbs with more than one syllable are compared with more or most.

	I'm more beautiful than you.
	My daughter is more intelligent that your daughter. She get's her intelligence from me.
	I'm more truthful than you.

For some adjectives, either -er/-est or more/most can be used. Here are a few of these adjectives.

	That dictator is crueler.
	He is more cruel than his father.

A few adjectives and adverbs have special forms that are used in comparisons.

	She speaks French better than Helen.
	He can do it better than Robert.
	They write worse than the others.
	She is the best.
	We do it the best.
	We walked farther than he did.