One involves the suffixes -er (the "comparative") and -est (the "superlative").
These irregular forms include:
A - Comparison with -er/-est
clean - cleaner - (the) cleanest
We use -er/-est with the following adjectives:
1) adjectives with one syllable
clean
|
cleaner
|
cleanest
|
new
|
newer
|
newest
|
cheap
|
cheaper
|
cheapest
|
2) adjectives with two syllables and the following endings:
2 - 1) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -y
dirty
|
dirtier
|
dirtiest
|
easy
|
easier
|
easiest
|
happy
|
happier
|
happiest
|
pretty
|
prettier
|
prettiest
|
2 - 2) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -er
clever
|
cleverer
|
cleverest
|
2 - 3) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -le
simple
|
simpler
|
simplest
|
2 - 4) adjectives with two syllables, ending in -ow
narrow
|
narrower
|
narrowest
|
Spelling of the adjectives using the endings -er/-est
large
|
larger
|
largest
|
leave out the silent -e
|
big
|
bigger
|
biggest
|
Double the consonant after short vowel
|
sad
|
sadder
|
saddest
| |
dirty
|
dirtier
|
dirtiest
|
Change -y to -i (consonant before -y)
|
shy
|
shyer
|
shyest
|
Here -y is not changed to -i.
(although consonant before -y) |
B - Comparison with more - most
difficult - more difficult - (the) most difficult
all adjectives with more than one syllable (except some adjectives with two syllables - see
2 - 1 to 2 - 4)
2 - 1 to 2 - 4)
C - Irregular adjectives
good
|
better
|
best
| |
bad
|
worse
|
worst
| |
much
|
more
|
most
|
uncountable nouns
|
many
|
more
|
most
|
countable nouns
|
little
|
less
|
least
| |
little
|
smaller
|
smallest
|
D - Special adjectives
Some ajdectives have two possible forms of comparison.
common
|
commoner / more common
|
commonest / most common
|
likely
|
likelier / more likely
|
likeliest / most likely
|
pleasant
|
pleasanter / more pleasant
|
pleasantest / most pleasant
|
polite
|
politer / more polite
|
politest / most polite
|
simple
|
simpler / more simple
|
simplest / most simple
|
stupid
|
stupider / more stupid
|
stupidest / most stupid
|
subtle
|
subtler / more subtle
|
subtlest
|
sure
|
surer / more sure
|
surest / most sure
|
Difference in meaning with adjectives:
far
|
farther
|
farthest
|
distance
|
further
|
furthest
|
distance or
time | |
late
|
later
|
latest
| |
latter
|
x
| ||
x
|
last
| ||
old
|
older
|
oldest
|
people and things
|
elder
|
eldest
|
people (family)
| |
near
|
nearer
|
nearest
|
distance
|
x
|
next
|
order
|
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