Beginner Lesson 8
Creation - Day 6
Grammar Exercise
Good, Better, Best - Comparatives and Superlatives
When God finished his work each day, he said that it was good. In this lesson, at the finish of day 6, God says that what he did was very good! In this lesson, let’s learn how to compare two things in English. We call these words “comparatives.”
Make a Comparative From a Short Adjective
Most comparative words are regular. Just add –er to the end of an adjective that has one or two syllables and ends in a consonant. Here are some examples:
old, older
slow, slower
hard, harder
If the short adjective already ends in e, just add an r:
safe, safer
wise, wiser
brave, braver
If the short adjective ends in y, change the y to i, then add –er:
happy, happier
noisy, noisier
easy, easier
Make a Comparative From a Long Adjective
If the adjective is more than two syllables, don’t add –er to the end. Instead, use the word more before the adjective.
comfortable, more comfortable
dangerous, more dangerous
wonderful, more wonderful
The Word “Than”
If you want to give more information about the two things you are comparing, you can use the word than before the second thing. Look at these examples:
The snake was sneakier than any of the other wild animals that the Lord God had made. (Genesis 3:1)
Egypt was better than this horrible place. (Numbers 20:5)
Your words are sweeter than honey from a honeycomb. (Psalms 19:10)
Compare Three or More Things – Superlatives
The same spelling rules work when you are comparing three or more things. This time, add -est instead of -er. Use the word most instead of the word more.
old, older, oldest
slow, slower, slowest
hard, harder, hardest
safe, safer, safest
wise, wiser, wisest
brave, braver, bravest
happy, happier, happiest
noisy, noisier, noisiest
easy, easier, easiest
comfortable, more comfortable, most comfortable
dangerous, more dangerous, most dangerous
wonderful, more wonderful, most wonderful
Irregular Words
Good, Better, Best
All the things God created were very good. The word good is irregular when you make a comparative and a superlative.
good, better, best
God looked at the light and saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:4)
David, you’re a better person than I am. (1 Samuel 24:17)
Take a bath and put on some perfume, and dress in your best clothes. (Ruth 3:3)
Bad, Worse, Worst
The word bad is also irregular:
bad, worse, worst
I have some bad news for you. (1 Kings 14:6)
You evil men have done something much worse than he did. (2 Samuel 4:11)
Herod put John in jail, and this was the worst thing he had done. (Luke 3:20)
Practice Makes Perfect!
Do this easy worksheet to help you understand how to use comparatives and superlatives. Remember to use a comparative when you are talking about two things. Use a superlative when you are talking about three or more things.
Click this button to download the worksheet.
Now click the button to go to the writing exercise.
