Spelling Rules for Forming Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
We have three degrees (positive, comparative, and superlative) of adjectives. To form comparative and superlative degrees of adjectives, we generally add the suffix “er” or “est”. In some cases, we add more, less, most, or least. When we add the suffixes, we need to bring some spelling changes.
Spelling Rules for Forming Comparative Adjectives
We know that the suffix “er” is added to short adjectives and double-syllable adjectives that end in “y”. Some spelling changes take place while adding the suffix.
Add -er
Most single-syllable adjectives need the suffix “er” to form their comparative degree.
- Tall ______ taller
- Smart ____ smarter
- Kind _____ kinder
- Short ____ shorter
- Broad ____ broader
Adjectives Ending in -e
When a single syllable adjective ends in -e, we don’t need to add “er”, we just add “r” at the end.
- Large ____ larger
- Nice _____ nicer
- Free _____ freer
- Fine _____ finer
- White ____ whiter
Adjectives Ending in -C+V+C
When a single syllable adjective ends in C+V+C (consonant vowel consonant), we double the last letter and add the suffix “er”.
- Big _____ bigger
- Slim ____ slimmer
- Thin ____ thinner
- Fit _____ fitter
- Hot ____ hotter
Adjectives Ending in C+Y
When a single or double syllable adjective ends in consonant + y, we change the “y” into “i” and add the suffix “er”.
- Dry ______ drier
- Happy ____ happier
- Easy _____ easier
- Crazy ____ crazier
- Busy _____ busier
Spelling Rules for Making Superlative Adjectives
The superlative degree of short adjectives is formed by adding the suffix “est” to their positive degree. When we add the suffix “est”, we have to bring some changes in spelling.
Add -est
Most single-syllable adjectives need the suffix “est” to form their superlative degree.
- Tall ______ tallest
- Smart ____ smartest
- Kind _____ kindest
- Short ____ shortest
- Broad ____ broadest
Adjectives Ending in -e
All the adjectives that end in “e” need just “st” rather than “est” to form their superlative degree.
- Large ____ larger
- Nice _____ nicest
- Free _____ freest
- Fine _____ finest
- White ____ whitest
Adjectives Ending in -C+V+C
When an adjective ends in a consonant vowel consonant, we double the last letter and add the suffix “est” to form its superlative degree.
- Big _____ biggest
- Slim ____ slimmest
- Thin ____ thinnest
- Fit _____ fittest
- Hot ____ hottest
Adjectives Ending in -C+Y
To form a superlative degree of a single or double-syllable adjective that ends in consonant + y, we change “y” into “i” and add the suffix “est”.
- Dry ______ driest
- Happy ____ happiest
- Easy _____ easiest
- Crazy ____ craziest
- Busy _____ busiest
