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Comparative and Superlative Rules

Learn and practice the rules for one-, two-, and three-syllable adjectives.

Comparative adjectives are used to compare differences between

two nouns they modify. For example: My ice cream is taller than my brother’s.

A superlative adjective compares three or more nouns, and the

highest degree of difference. For example: My ice cream is taller
than my brother’s, but my sister’s ice cream is the tallest.

The rules for changing an adjective to a comparative or

superlative adjective depend on the number of syllables.
Learn the rules below, then practice applying them!

One-Syllable Adjectives Rules

1. If it ends in a consonant, add "er" or "est"
2. If it ends in "e", add an "r" or "st"
3. If it ends in “y”, change the “y” to “i” and follow rule #1.
4. If it ends with a single vowel then a consonant,
double the consonant and follow rule #1.
tall taller tallest

Adjective Comparative Superlative

large

brown

fine

dry

few

big

Choose one adjective and use its comparative or superlative form in a sentence:
Two-Syllable Adjectives Rules
1. With most two syllable words, simply add “more” before the word for comparative adjectives.
2. For superlative adjectives, add “most” before the word.
3. Common exception: If it ends in “y” or "e", use the same rule as one syllable words.

Adjective Comparative Superlative

little

fancy

ugly

tender

clever

itchy

Choose one adjective and use its comparative or superlative form in a sentence:

Three or More Syllables Adjectives Rule

Add “more” or “most” before the word.

Adjective Comparative Superlative

magnificent

inexpensive

victorious

nutritious

chocolatey

generous

Choose one adjective and use its comparative or superlative form in a sentence:
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Superlative Rule Breakers

Most adjectives follow a few simple rules to turn them into comparative and superlative adjectives. These rules
are based on how many syllables they have. Read through these rules and the examples. Then take a look at the
rule breakers at the bottom and see if you can track down their comparative and superlative forms.

One Syllable Adjectives

RULE: +er or +est, if it ends in “y” change the “y” to “i” first. If it ends in a vowel then a consonant, double the
consonant.

Standard: cool > cooler > coolest

With “y” ending: dry > drier > driest

Two or More Syllable Adjectives

RULE: With most two syllable words simply add “more” or “most” before the word. Common exception: If it
ends in “y”, use the same rule as one syllable words. Most longer adjective comparative and superlatives add
“more” or “most” before the word.

Standard: quiet > quieter > quietest

With “y” ending: chilly > chillier > chilliest
Longer adjectives: intelligent > more intelligent > most intelligent

Those rules are pretty easy, but these rascals do their own thing and can be tricky.

Rule Breaking Adjectives

These words are rebels and don’t follow any rules. Use the resources in your classroom to find the comparative
and superlative forms of these defiant adjectives.

Adjective Comparative Superlative

good

bad

little

many

far

much/many

late

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Mix Up Your Sentences with Conjunctions and Adverbs

Create a sentence bank. Write twelve simple sentences with just subjects and
predicates. The list has been started for you.

Sentence Bank
We went boating.
The teenager ignored his mother.
The girl turned up the TV.
The horse escaped.
I want to windsurf.
The hamburger was delicious!

Now, use conjunctions to combine the sentences in new (and maybe funny) ways. Write them below. One
has been provided as an example to get you started.

Conjunctions
and, or, but, nor, for, because, since, after, either/or, not only/but also

1. I wanted to windsurf, but the horse escaped.

2.
3.
4.
5.

An adverb phrase is a group of words starting with an adverb that work together to provide an extra
description about the verb. Remember, adverbs tell when, frequency, how, location, to what extent. Add
SIX more adverb phrases to the bank below. Some have been added for you to get you started
Adverb Phrases

Over the rainbow

Through the woods
Under the bridge
Across the finish line
Out at sea
Into the waves

Now add an adverb phrase to three of the sentences above that you created. See the example to get you
started.

1. I wanted to windsurf, but the horse escaped into the waves.

2.
3.
4.

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Subtle Changes
Read each pair of sentences. Find and circle the two similar words. How have the words changed?
Underline the differences. How has the meaning changed? On each line below, describe how the words
are used differently.

Example:
When our teacher assigned us to groups she told us that we could talk with one another about our project.
Everyone was so talkative and it was difficult to hear above the noise!
Explanation: The word talkative is an adjective that describes the students but the word, talk, is a verb
and shows what the students are doing.

1. On Saturday, mom decided to wash our clothes. Unfortunately, I had gotten permanent paint on my
clothes and the paint was not washable.
Explanation:

2. When we drove to our grandparents’ house, it was pouring down rain and we could not see clearly through
the windshield. By the time we got to her house, it was clear and there was not even a cloud in the sky!
Explanation:

3. Alissa forgot to close the fence and her dog ran through the neighborhood. Usually, she isn’t a very
forgetful person!
Explanation:

4. In art class, Michael created a sculpture using clay and paper. His art teacher admired his creation!

Explanation:

5. Dad will use the ladder to climb on the roof to inspect the house. That ladder sure is useful!

Explanation:

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Possession Obsession Practice

Mastering the possessive apostrophe requires only…. ONE SIMPLE RULE!
The apostrophe is an arrow,
pointing at who is doing the owning.

Possessive Apostrophe
Check it out...

The dog’s bowl was empty.

points to the owner
Who does the bowl belong to? The DOG. So, the arrow, or apostrophe, points to “dog” and you add an S.

This rule even works for plural nouns. Check out these examples:

The women’s purses all got swiped by the thief.

All of the kids’ balloons all got swept away by the wind.

Who did the purses and balloons belong to? The WOMEN and KIDS. If the plural noun already ends in “s”
just add the apostrophe.

Now try using the possessive apostrophe with singular nouns by asking, who is the owner? Insert
an apostrophe in the bolded word that points to the answer.

The hoses nozzle was broken. Who is the owner? __________________

The horses mane was braided. Who is the owner? __________________

I lost my brothers favorite jersey. Who is the owner? __________________

The crowds cheers were deafening. Who is the owner? __________________

Now try it with plural nouns.

The womens dresses were all red. Who is/are the owner(s)? _____________

The cars horns were all broken. Who is/are the owner(s)? _____________

The local rivers levels were all rising after the hurricane. Who is/are the owner(s)? _____________

The kittens mittens were all lost. Who is/are the owner(s)? _____________

Now write two fun or crazy sentences that include possessive apostrophes of your own.

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