Grammar 4.4.

1a

Comparative Forms of Adjectives

A comparative adjective compares two things, places, or people. Many
comparative adjectives end in -er.

comparative
A turtle is slower than a rabbit.

comparative
The roof on the red house is taller than the roof on the blue one.
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Grade 4 | Grammar Minilessons Modifiers • Comparative and Superlative Adjectives and Adverbs
 Grammar 4.4.1b

Comparative Forms of Adjectives

State the comparative form of each adjective in parentheses.

1 Gabe’s little brother is than mine. (noise)

2 The volume on the stereo is than on the television.

(loud)

3 I think checkers is an game to play than chess. (easy)

4 Lyla’s bedroom is than the one we saw on display at the

store. (clean)
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5 A game of hockey has rules than a game of tag. (strict)

6 This comedian is than the one we saw last year. (funny)

7 After driving all day, Melissa is than a bear! (hungry)

Grade 4 | Grammar Minilessons Modifiers • Comparative and Superlative Adjectives and Adverbs
 Grammar 4.4.2a

Superlative Forms of Adjectives

A superlative adjective compares more than two things, places, or people. Many
superlative adjectives end in -est.

superlative
A snail is slowest of them all.

superlative
The dogs all run fast, but Spot is fastest of them all.
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Grade 4 | Grammar Minilessons Modifiers • Comparative and Superlative Adjectives and Adverbs
 Grammar 4.4.2b

Superlative Forms of Adjectives

Name the superlative of each adjective in parentheses.

1 Leopold the cat is the pet in the house. (furry)

2 An elephant is the animal I saw at the zoo today. (big)

3 The Smith family has the dog in the neighborhood.

(loud)

4 Henry has the nose you have ever seen. (small)

5 Mrs. Green says that the office is the room of all. (messy)
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6 Theo is the member of the Green family. (young)

7 Mr. Cherry thought of the idea to help Brooke feel

better. (nice)

Grade 4 | Grammar Minilessons Modifiers • Comparative and Superlative Adjectives and Adverbs
 Grammar 4.4.3a

Comparative and Superlative Forms of Adverbs

An adverb tells about a verb. It often ends with the letters -ly.
Adding the word more before the -ly adverb makes it comparative. Adding the
word most before the -ly adverb makes it superlative.

comparative adverb
Ty walked more slowly than A. J.
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superlative adverb
Baby Beau walked most slowly of all.

Grade 4 | Grammar Minilessons Modifiers • Comparative and Superlative Adjectives and Adverbs
 Grammar 4.4.3b

Comparative and Superlative Forms of Adverbs

Identify each comparative or superlative adverb and tell whether it is comparative
or superlative.

1 In my room, the stereo is turned up more loudly than the television.

2 Lara speaks more softly in the library than in her classroom.

3 Mrs. Van sings most beautifully when she is in the car.

4 Kevin sees most clearly when he cleans his glasses.

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Grade 4 | Grammar Minilessons Modifiers • Comparative and Superlative Adjectives and Adverbs
 Grammar 4.4.4a

Review Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

and Adverbs
A comparative adjective compares two people, places, or things. Add -er to most
adjectives to make their comparative forms. A superlative adjective compares
more than two people, places, or things. Add -est to most adjectives to make their
superlative forms. Remember to put adjectives in order.

comparative adjective
Mike is louder than Chan.
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superlative adjective
Tamara is the loudest of them all.

Grade 4 | Grammar Minilessons Modifiers • Comparative and Superlative Adjectives and Adverbs
 Grammar 4.4.4b

Review Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

and Adverbs
Many adverbs also have comparative and superlative forms. To make the
comparative form of most adverbs, put the word more in front of the adverb. To
make the superlative form, use the word most.

comparative adverb
The radio is playing more loudly than Tamara.
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superlative adverb
The television is playing the most loudly of them all.

Grade 4 | Grammar Minilessons Modifiers • Comparative and Superlative Adjectives and Adverbs
 Grammar 4.4.4c

Review Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

and Adverbs
Form the superlative or comparative of each adjective or adverb in the
parentheses.

1 My baby sister has the toes you have ever seen. (small)

2 Cleo’s dad is than the people in this movie. (funny)

3 Mrs. Van sings when she is in the car. (beautiful)

4 Paul is the person in his class. (young)

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Grade 4 | Grammar Minilessons Modifiers • Comparative and Superlative Adjectives and Adverbs
 Grammar 4.4.5

Connect to Writing: Using Comparative and

Superlative Adjectives and Adverbs
When you write, you can sometimes make a sentence clearer and more descriptive
by adding a comparative or superlative adjective or adverb.

Less Descriptive More Descriptive

Our new hamster is big. Our new hamster is bigger than our
old hamster was.
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Our hamster runs quickly. Our hamster runs most quickly of all.

Grade 4 | Grammar Minilessons Modifiers • Comparative and Superlative Adjectives and Adverbs