English exercises / A2 / Nouns, articles & adjectives-er, -est, more, most, plus the irregulars that break the pattern.
Twenty questions and instant feedback on every answer. No account, no ads.
Comparatives and superlatives
Syllable count decides. One-syllable adjectives add -er and -est: taller, tallest. Three or more take more and most: more expensive, most expensive. Two-syllable adjectives go either way, with those ending in -y taking -ier and -iest. A handful are irregular.
Read the full explanationComparatives & superlatives: worked examples
Five from the set, with the answer filled in and the rule that decides it.
- 01
This flat is bigger than our old one.
One short vowel + one consonant: double the consonant: big → bigger.
- 02
Yesterday was the hottest day of the year so far.
Same doubling in the superlative: hot → hotter → hottest.
- 03
Your car is nicer than mine.
Adjectives already ending in -e just add -r: nice → nicer, large → larger.
- 04
This exercise is easier than the last one.
Two syllables ending in -y: the y becomes -ier, not 'more'.
- 05
It was the happiest day of my life.
-y → -iest in the superlative: happy → happiest, busy → busiest.