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Use Comparative and Superlative Adjectives Correctly

In this worksheet, students will explore how to use adjectives accurately in their writing, with a special focus on comparatives and superlatives.

'Use Comparative and Superlative Adjectives Correctly' worksheet

Key stage:  KS 3

Year:  Year 9 English worksheets

Curriculum topic:   Writing

Curriculum subtopic:   Use Accurate Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling

Popular topics:   Adjectives worksheets, Grammar worksheets, Writing worksheets

Difficulty level:  

Worksheet Overview

Adjectives form a large class of words. Their function is to describe a noun by adding further detail.

 

Poster showing synonyms of great

 

 

The description may be physical.

For example: the red car, the loud music, the blue towel.

 

In addition to this, the adjective may describe something more abstract.

For example: a controversial topic, a confusing puzzle, a melancholy mood.

 

sad girl crying

 

Using ambitious and carefully chosen adjectives in your writing to describe nouns will make your writing interesting and varied.

 

Adjectives can also be used to compare things.

For example: adding -er to the word small results in the comparative adjective smaller.

The puppy was smaller than its brother.

 

If three or more things are being compared then -est can be added to the word small, resulting in the superlative adjective smallest.

The puppy was the smallest of the litter.

Note that we also include the word 'the' before a superlative.

 

puppies

 

Superlative adjectives can be used for exaggeration.

That was the hottest curry in the world!

 

chicken curry

 

Note that the 't' at the end of the adjective 'hot' needs to be doubled before the -est ending is added. This is necessary for words with a short vowel sound just before the final consonant. Words ending in -y usually drop the -y and add -ier and -iest.

 

Adjective

Comparative

Superlative

crunchy

crunchier

crunchiest

fat

fatter

fattest

small

smaller

smallest

 

Two hands holding an apple and a pear

 

 

There are some adjectives that are grammatically irregular and break this pattern. For example:

 

Adjective

Comparative

Superlative

bad

worse

worst

far

further

furthest

good

better

best

 

Other adjectives can only be intensified or compared by adding the word 'more' or 'most' to the adjective.

 

Adjective

Comparative

Superlative

disgusting

more disgusting

most disgusting

careful

more careful

most careful

helpless

more helpless

most helpless

 

 

Man with a question mark over his head

 

 

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