วันเสาร์ที่ 8 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2554

Comparative and Superlatives

We use the comparative and superlative form to compare and contrast different objects in English. Use the comparative form to show the difference between two objects.
Comparative are a type of adjectives used for highlighting the difference between two objects, or two nouns. They are used in the comparison of two objects, or two nouns.
The following is a sentence that uses a comparative : My female cat is younger than that cat. In this sentence, the word “younger”  is the comparative .We can do another example: My apple is redder than your apple. In this sentence, the word “redder”  is the comparative.
A trick for spotting comparative adjectives is looking for the word “than” in sentences. A comparative adjective is usually used before “than” if a comparative  is used. Additionally, comparative frequently have the ending “er.”
Adjectives of just one syllable form the comparative by adding "-er":
- Bright...brighter
- Clear...clearer
- Fast...faster
If a one syllable adjective ends in "e", simply add "r":
- Nice...nicer
- Fine...finer
For some adjectives, it is necessary to double the last letter before adding "-er". (For spelling: doubling letters, see next week's grammar question).
All adjectives of three or more syllables form the comparative with "more ".
- Beautiful... more beautiful
- Comfortable...more comfortable

Adjectives of two syllables are more complicated. To see which is the usual form you should see your dictionary. Most adjectives of two syllables form the comparative with "more":
- Famous... more famous
- Thank...more thankful
However, some adjectives of two syllables form the comparative with "-er":
Those that end in "y", change the "y" to "i" and add "-er":
- Happy...happier
- Funny...funnier
Those ending in a vowel-sound that is not stressed:
- Yellow... yellower
- Simple... simpler
In addition, there are some (common) irregular comparative adjectives:
- Good …better
- Bad …worse
- Much … more
http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish-central-grammar-comparative-adjectives.htm

Superlative Adjectives
The superlative is used to say what thing or person has the most of a particular quality within a group or of its kind. Superlative adjectives normally come before any other adjectives.

Forming the superlative