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Pick TwoActivity

Comparatives and superlatives: explanation and exercises

A2Updated 2026-09-216 exercises

Comparatives compare two things (taller, more interesting). Superlatives pick out the extreme of a group (the tallest, the most interesting). The rule depends on word length, and a few very common adjectives are irregular.

How it is formed

Short adjectives

tall → taller → the tallest

big → bigger → the biggest

happy → happier → the happiest

Long adjectives

interesting → more interesting → the most interesting

Irregular

good → better → the best

bad → worse → the worst

far → farther/further → the farthest/furthest

When to use it

  • Comparing two people, places or things with than.
  • Saying which is the extreme in a group with the.
  • Expressing preferences and opinions.

Common mistakes

  • Not thismore cheaper

    Say thischeaper

    Never combine more with an -er form.

  • Not thisShe is more tall than me.

    Say thisShe is taller than me.

    Short adjectives take -er.

  • Not thisHe is the more intelligent.

    Say thisHe is the most intelligent.

    Superlatives use most, not more.

Tips for teaching it

  • Use real class data: heights, shoe sizes, distances from home. Students care about being the tallest.
  • Teach the double-consonant and y → i spelling changes with a quick board race.
  • Introduce as … as for equal comparisons only after -er and more are secure.

Practice: comparatives and superlatives exercises

Try these exercises. Answers are checked in your browser and never sent to us. Teachers can share this page with a class as it is.

1Complete the sentence.

My bag isthan yours.

2Complete the sentence.

This is thepizza in town.

3Complete the sentence.

She isthan her brother.

4Complete the sentence.

English isinteresting than maths.

Which is correct?

Tokyo is one of ___ cities in the world.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know whether to use -er or more?

One-syllable adjectives take -er. Adjectives ending in -y take -ier. Most adjectives of two or more syllables take more. Some two-syllable ones, like clever and narrow, accept both.

Farther or further?

Both work for distance. Further also means “more” in an abstract sense (further information).