Comparative and Superlative Grammar (Δ,Μ)

Από τα πιο εύκολα κεφάλαια γραμματικής είναι ο σχηματισμός του συγκριτικού και του υπερθετικού βαθμού. Ακολουθούν οι κανόνες σχηματισμού με πολλά παραδείγματα.

Comparative and Superlative

Adjectives and adverbs can be used to make comparisons. The comparative form is used to compare two people, ideas, or things. The superlative form is used to compare three or more.  

 Here are some rules and examples of how to form the comparatives and superlatives:

General Rules for Comparatives and Superlatives
	Adjective or Adverb	Comparative	Superlative
One-syllable adjectives	small	smaller	(the) smallest
	fast	faster	(the) fastest
	large	larger	(the) largest
	big	bigger	(the) biggest
Most two-syllable adjectives	thoughtful	More thoughtful	(the) most  thoughtful
	useful	more useful	(the) most useful
Adverbs ending in -ly	carefully	More carefully	(the) most carefully
	slowly	more slowly	(the) most slowly
Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y	sleepy	sleepier	(the) sleepiest
	happy	happier	(the) happiest
Three or more syllable adjectives	intelligent	More intelligent	(the) most intelligent
	important	more important	(the) most important

                                                                                                                                    

Two-Syllable Adjectives That Follow Two Rules (either form is correct)
Adjective	Comparative	Superlative
clever	more clever	(the) most clever
	cleverer	(the) cleverest
simple	more simple	(the) most simple
	simpler	(the) simplest
friendly	More friendly	(the) most  friendly
	friendlier	(the) friendliest

Irregular Adjectives
Adjective	Comparative	Superlative
good	better	(the) best
bad	worse	(the) worst
far	farther	(the) farthest
little	less	(the) least

To form comparative sentences,  use the comparative with the word than. Here are some examples:

• Fewer participants volunteered for the study than I had anticipated.  
• Business school was less expensive than law school.
•  His application was processed more quickly than he thought.

It is also possible to use (not) as…as to express similarity or differences. Here are some examples:

• Reading is as enjoyable as writing.
• The results were as conclusive as in previous studies.
• Finding participants for the study was not as easy as I thought.
• Her level of expertise was not as extensive as her employer had hoped.

To form superlative sentences, use the superlative with the word the. Here are some examples:

·        Jimmy is the tallest boy in the class.

·        Vicky sings the most beautifully of all.

·        George is the best student in the class.

·        Mary is the most intelligent girl in the class.