English Language Arts
Grade 6
15 min
Form and use comparative and superlative adjectives
Form and use comparative and superlative adjectives
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify the base form of an adjective.
Define and differentiate between comparative and superlative adjectives.
Correctly form comparative adjectives for one-syllable and two-syllable adjectives ending in -y.
Correctly form superlative adjectives for one-syllable and two-syllable adjectives ending in -y.
Correctly form comparative and superlative adjectives for adjectives with two or more syllables.
Recognize and correctly use common irregular comparative and superlative adjectives.
Apply comparative and superlative adjectives effectively in their own writing to make clear comparisons.
Have you ever wanted to describe something as 'more interesting' than another, or say something is 'the most amazing' thing you've ever seen? 🤔...
2
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
AdjectiveA word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun.The *red* car drove *quickly*.
Base AdjectiveThe original form of an adjective, without any changes for comparison.The words *tall*, *happy*, and *beautiful* are base adjectives.
Comparative AdjectiveAn adjective used to compare two nouns or pronouns. It shows which one has more of a certain quality.My dog is *bigger* than your cat. (Compares two animals)
Superlative AdjectiveAn adjective used to compare three or more nouns or pronouns. It shows which one has the most of a certain quality within a group.Mount Everest is the *tallest* mountain in the world. (Compares one mountain to all others)
SuffixA letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning or function.In 'taller,�...
3
Key Rules & Conventions
Rule 1: One-Syllable Adjectives
Add '-er' to the base adjective for the comparative form. Add '-est' to the base adjective for the superlative form. (Double the final consonant if it follows a short vowel, e.g., big -> bigger, biggest).
Use this rule for short adjectives like 'tall', 'fast', 'big', 'small', 'old'. Remember to add 'the' before the superlative form.
Rule 2: Two-Syllable Adjectives Ending in -y
Change the 'y' to 'i' and then add '-er' for the comparative form. Change the 'y' to 'i' and then add '-est' for the superlative form.
This rule applies to adjectives like 'happy', 'easy', 'funny', &#...
5 more steps in this tutorial
Sign up free to access the complete tutorial with worked examples and practice.
Sign Up Free to ContinueSample Practice Questions
Challenging
In an argument about resource conservation, a writer states: 'Of all the ways to save water, taking shorter showers requires the ______ effort.' Which irregular adjective form correctly completes the sentence to convey this meaning?
A.littler
B.less
C.least
D.most little
Challenging
A student is citing evidence to argue that a new skate park is a good use of city funds. Which of the following sentences provides the most effective and grammatically sound evidence using a comparative adjective?
A.The new park is more safer for skaters than the city streets.
B.Compared to the old lot, the new park is a much better and more well-designed space.
C.The new park is gooder than skating in the street, which is dangerous.
D.The new park is the best of the two options for young people.
Challenging
The original sentence is: 'The final boss in the game was more harder to defeat than the previous one.' How should this sentence be revised to correct the 'double comparison' error while maintaining its meaning?
A.The final boss in the game was most hard to defeat than the previous one.
B.The final boss in the game was harder to defeat than the previous one.
C.The final boss in the game was hard to defeat, more than the previous one.
D.The final boss in the game was the hardest to defeat of the two.
Want to practice and check your answers?
Sign up to access all questions with instant feedback, explanations, and progress tracking.
Start Practicing Free