CHAPTER 8

Comparatives and Superlatives

The comparative words are not a major spelling problem. The only difficulty that students may encounter

is when to double the consonant and when to leave it alone. The general rule for doubling consonants is
covered in another chapter.

Spelling rule #1: The suffix er is used with single syllable words:

(^) When we are forming superlatives, the suffix est is used with single syllable words. The word must be
preceded by the:
(^) Spelling rule #2: Words of three or more syllables are preceded by more (comparative) and the
most (superlative):
(^) Spelling rule #3: With words of two syllables, one group uses er and est, but the others must use
more and the most.
Adjectives that end in y simply change the y to i and add er or est:
(^) Words ending in ous use more and the most:
(^) Words ending in ful use more and the most:
(^) Words ending in ing use more and the most:
(^) The English language contains thousands of adjectives of an extremely wide variety and many of them
are regionalisms. When in doubt, it is best to use more and the most.
(^) Note that aweful (“full of awe”) and awful may now be considered two separate words with quite
different meanings.
Note that one word that cannot be modified is unique. If something is unique, then it is the only one.