Comparatives & Superlatives

We use comparative adjectives to show change or make comparisons:

This car is certainly better, but it's much more expensive.

I'm feeling happier now.

We need a bigger garden.

We use than when we want to compare one thing with another:

She is two years older than me.

New York is bigger than Boston.

He is a better player than Ronaldo.

France is a bigger country than Britain.

Superlatives are used to describe an object, person, or idea within a large group of its kind.

When comparing more than two things, you’ll likely use words and phrases like smallest, biggest, tallest, most interesting, and least interesting.

Notice the ‑est ending and the words most and least.

Make sure you use the proper ending or superlative adjective when forming these superlatives.

Don't forget that we use the with superlative adjectives:

It was the happiest day of my life.

Everest is the highest mountain in the world.

That’s the best film I have seen this year.

I have two brothers: Karen is the oldest and Joseph is the youngest. 

I bought the most expensive iPhone, the "Pro" version.

I like working with the most intelligent students in the class.