comparativesuperlative

Comparatives and superlatives are two grammatical degrees used to express varying levels of a property. The positive degree is the base form (small, fast). The comparative compares two items (smaller, faster), and the superlative compares three or more items (smallest, fastest). Adjectives modify nouns, while many adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

In English, formation follows general patterns. One-syllable adjectives typically add -er and -est: big, bigger, biggest; small, smaller, smallest. Adjectives ending in -e take -r/-st: nice, nicer, nicest. Short, single-syllable words with a single vowel often double the final consonant: big—bigger—biggest. For longer adjectives (two or more syllables) use more and most: beautiful, more beautiful, most beautiful; careful, more careful, most careful. A subset of two-syllable adjectives allows either form (polite, politer, politest or more polite, most polite) depending on style; many prefer the more/most form in formal writing. Irregulars include good/better/best, bad/worse/worst, far/farthest or further/furthest, little/less/least, much/more/most (as an adverb).

Usage notes: place the comparative before the item being compared and use than after the adjective or adverb (X is taller than Y). The superlative is typically followed by the definite article the (X is the tallest in the class). Some adjectives have multiple degrees with nuance, and some are absolute (perfect, unique) and do not have standard comparatives.

Cross-linguistically, the form and markers of comparison vary; the concept of degree is common, though inflectional patterns differ.