Comparatives & Superlatives
cheaper, more convenient, the best — how to compare options correctly. Essential for Speaking Task 5 and Writing Task 2 (choosing between two options).
- 1.Short adjectives add -er / -est: cheap → cheaper → the cheapest.
- 2.Long adjectives (2+ syllables) use more / most: convenient → more convenient → the most convenient.
- 3.Use "than" with comparatives: "A is cheaper THAN B." Use "the" with superlatives: "the best option".
- 4.Irregulars: good → better → best; bad → worse → worst; far → further → furthest.
Comparatives (comparing two)
- Short adjectives (one syllable, or two ending in -y): add -er, and change -y to -ier:
- cheap → cheaper, big → bigger, easy → easier.
- Longer adjectives: use more:
- expensive → more expensive, comfortable → more comfortable.
Always pair a comparative with than:
"The train is faster than the bus." "This option is more practical than that one."
Superlatives (comparing three or more)
- Short: -est with the: the cheapest, the biggest.
- Long: the most: the most expensive, the most reliable.
"It is the best choice for our budget."
Irregular forms (memorise)
good → better → best · bad → worse → worst · far → further/farther → furthest/farthest · little → less → least · much/many → more → most.
Avoid double comparatives: ✗ "more cheaper" → ✓ "cheaper".
CELPIP application
Speaking Task 5 (Comparing & Persuading) and Writing Task 2 are built on comparison. Confident comparatives make your case: "The cabin is cheaper and more relaxing than the hotel, so it is the better choice for us."
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