Academic Grammar Beginner

Comparatives and Superlatives

Master comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs. Learn regular and irregular forms, double comparatives, as...as structures, and how to describe data changes in PTE and IELTS Writing Task 1.

What is Comparatives and Superlatives?

Comparatives (more/less + adjective, or adjective + -er) and superlatives (most/least + adjective, or adjective + -est) are used to compare degrees of qualities. They are particularly important in <a href="https://sunpte.com/ielts-writing-task-1" class="il-link">IELTS Writing Task 1</a> for describing and comparing graph data, and in <a href="https://sunpte.com/ielts-writing-task-2" class="il-link">Writing Task 2</a> for making arguments that contrast options.

Rules & Formation

Short adjectives (1 syllable, some 2 syllable): add -er/-est. "high → higher → highest", "fast → faster → fastest". Spelling: double final consonant (big → bigger), drop -e (large → larger), change -y to -i (heavy → heavier).
Long adjectives (2+ syllables): "more/most + adjective". "significant → more significant → most significant".
Irregular forms: good → better → best; bad → worse → worst; far → farther/further → farthest/furthest; little → less → least; much/many → more → most.
Comparative structures: "X is higher than Y"; "X is twice as high as Y"; "The higher the score, the better the outcome." (double comparative).
Superlative: use with "the": "the highest", "the most significant", "the least effective".
With as...as: "X is as effective as Y"; "X is not as effective as Y" (= X is less effective than Y).

Examples

In 2020, enrolment figures were significantly higher than in 2010. (comparative for graph)

Australia had the highest proportion of international students in the study period. (superlative)

The new approach proved more effective than the traditional method.

The rate of increase was considerably slower in the second half of the period.

The greater the investment, the more substantial the improvement in outcomes.

Online learning is becoming increasingly popular among working professionals. (double comparative development)

🎯 Exam Tip — PTE & IELTS

In IELTS Writing Task 1, comparatives and superlatives are essential vocabulary for comparing data: "significantly higher than", "considerably lower than", "the highest point", "less than half". Using adverbs (significantly, considerably, marginally, slightly, dramatically, substantially) with comparatives elevates your vocabulary score. In Task 2, comparatives build arguments: "This approach is more sustainable than short-term measures."

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I use "-er" vs "more" for comparatives?

One-syllable adjectives: always -er (taller, higher, faster, cheaper). Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y: -er (heavier, easier, happier, busier). Most two-syllable adjectives: "more" (more recent, more common, more likely). Three or more syllables: always "more" (more significant, more effective, more important). Some two-syllable adjectives accept both: "more simple" or "simpler", "more narrow" or "narrower".

What adverbs can I use with comparatives in IELTS Writing Task 1?

For large differences: "significantly higher/lower", "considerably more/less", "substantially greater/smaller", "dramatically faster/slower", "far more/less". For small differences: "slightly higher/lower", "marginally more/less", "somewhat greater/smaller". For approximately equal: "roughly equal", "broadly comparable", "approximately the same". Using precise adverbs rather than just saying "more" or "less" directly improves your Lexical Resource score.

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