20 SKILL UP!
GRAMMAR CHECKIllustration: Bernhard Förth- Short adjectives
One-syllable adjectives normally
have comparatives that end in -er
and superlatives that end in -est
(fast, faster, fastest). If we want to
compare something specifically to
something else, we use than after
the comparative:
(^) Which expenses have a bigger
impact on the bottom line?
(^) They generate cash at a faster
rate than the bus operators.
With superlatives, we use a fol-
lowing prepositional phrase (most
typically with “of” or “in”) to name
what it is we’re talking about.
(^) They offered us the highest re-
turn of all the companies.
(^) We’re the largest technology
company in Germany.
Note: It is a mistake — commonly
made by speakers of German —
to say “of Germany” in place of
“in Germany” in the second exam-
ple.
- Long adjectives
Adjectives with two or more sylla-
bles — and most compound adjec-
tives — have comparative forms
with more or less, and superlative
forms with the most or the least
(more/less attractive, the most/
least attractive):
(^) Production has become more
cost-effective over the last year.
(^) R&D needs the most signifi-
cant portion of cash flow.
(^) The Italian firm is the least prof-
itable in the group.
- Short or long?
Some two-syllable adjectives
(clever, narrow, simple) follow
the same pattern as one-syllable
adjectives. However, these adjec-
tives can also be treated like long
adjectives (see above):
(^) She’s introduced a cleverer/
more clever system.
(^) They’re operating on the nar-
rowest / most narrow of profit
margins.
Company comparisons
Here, we outline how to form comparative and superlative
adjectives. Basically, there are two main types of comparative
and superlative adjectives: short and long.