Hopefully, this tip will help you avoid errors when you are using adjectives and adverbs to compare things.
We frequently use adjectives and adverbs to compare two or
more things in our writing. When two
things are being compared, use the comparative degree. When more than two things are being compared,
use the superlative degree.
Some words use er and est to form the comparative and
superlative degree.
Some words add the words more and most.
Negative comparisons use the words less and least.
Positive Degree Comparative
Degree Superlative Degree
cheap cheaper cheapest
recent more
recent most
recent
expensive less
expensive least
expensive
The important thing is never to use both of these comparison words at
the same time. In other words, do not use: er
and more together; or est and most together.
Correct: The older of my two sons is the one you met
yesterday.
Incorrect: The more older of my two sons is the one you met yesterday.
Correct: The healthier you are, the better you look.
Incorrect: The more healthier you are, the better you look.
If you are not sure of the correct spelling when writing a
comparison structure, use a dictionary or look up the word online.
In my next post, I will discuss adjectives that are
absolute and cannot be compared.
Thanks for reading,