📖 Quick Grammar Reference: Comparatives & Superlatives
| Adjective Type | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Short (1 syllable) | + -er / -est | tall → taller → the tallest |
| Ends in -e | + -r / -st | large → larger → the largest |
| Ends in -y | -y → -i + -er/-est | happy → happier → the happiest |
| Long (2+ syllables) | more / the most | interesting → more interesting → the most interesting |
| Irregular | unique forms | good → better → the best |
Exercise 1 — Fill in the Blank (Put the adjective in brackets into the correct comparative or superlative form.)
- This bag is (heavy) than that one.
- Mount Everest is (high) mountain on Earth.
- She is (happy) than she was last year.
- This exercise is (interesting) than the last one.
- He is (good) student in the class.
- Today is (bad) day of my week.
- London is (big) than Bristol.
- This is (expensive) restaurant in town.
- The station is (far) than I thought.
- My phone is (nice) than my old one.
Exercise 2 — True or False (Read each statement about comparative and superlative rules and circle T (True) or F (False).)
-
We use than after a superlative adjective.
T F
-
Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y change to -ier/-iest.
T F
-
“More taller” is a correct comparative form.
T F
-
“Good” has an irregular comparative form: “better”.
T F
-
Superlatives usually need the before them.
T F
Print version: write T or F on the line next to each statement.
Exercise 3 — Write Your Own Sentences (Write 5 sentences using comparative or superlative adjectives.)
- Compare two cities you know using a comparative adjective.
- Write a sentence with a superlative about your family or friends.
- Compare two subjects at school using "more...than".
- Write a sentence using an irregular comparative (better/worse).
- Write a sentence using "the least" or "the most".
📋 Show Answer Key
Exercise 1
- heavier
- the highest
- happier
- more interesting
- the best
- the worst
- bigger
- the most expensive
- further / farther
- nicer
Exercise 2
- False — than follows a comparative, not a superlative
- True — happy → happier → the happiest
- False — this is a double comparative; the correct form is “taller”
- True — good → better → the best
- True — e.g. “She is the tallest student in the class.”
Exercise 3
Open answers. Check that students use the correct form for the adjective (short: -er/-est; long: more/most; irregular: memorised forms), and include than when naming the second item in a comparative, and the before a superlative.
Comparatives & Superlatives Worksheet — FAQ
What does this comparatives and superlatives worksheet cover?
This worksheet covers comparative adjectives (taller, more interesting) and superlative adjectives (the tallest, the most interesting), including regular -er/-est forms, more/most forms, spelling rules, and irregular forms like good/better/best. It includes fill-in-the-blank, true/false, and sentence-writing exercises.
What level is this comparatives and superlatives worksheet?
This worksheet is designed for A2 (Elementary) and B1 (Pre-Intermediate) learners who are practising how to compare people, places and things in English.
When do I use -er/-est instead of more/most?
Use -er and -est with one-syllable adjectives (tall, fast) and two-syllable adjectives ending in -y (happy, easy). Use more and most with longer adjectives of two or more syllables that do not end in -y (interesting, expensive).
What are the irregular comparative and superlative forms?
The most important irregular forms are: good → better → the best; bad → worse → the worst; far → further/farther → the furthest/farthest; little → less → the least; many/much → more → the most.
Do I always need 'than' after a comparative?
You need than only when you name the second item being compared: She is taller than her sister. If the second item is clear from context, than can be omitted: I need a bigger bag.
Can I save this worksheet as a PDF?
Yes. Click the orange ‘Print / Save as PDF’ button at the top of the page. In your browser’s print dialogue, select ‘Save as PDF’ as the destination. The worksheet is formatted for A4 paper.
Is the answer key included?
Yes. Scroll to the bottom of the worksheet to find the collapsible answer key. Click ‘Show Answer Key’ to reveal all answers. If you want to print the answers too, open the key before clicking Print.
What online exercise goes with this worksheet?
The related online exercise is Complete the Sentence at lexfizz.com/exercises/complete-the-sentence/ — it provides immediate feedback for choosing the right comparative or superlative form.
Why do some short adjectives double the final consonant?
Consonant doubling preserves the short vowel sound of the original adjective: big becomes bigger (not biger), hot becomes hotter. It applies when an adjective ends in a single vowel followed by a single consonant.
How long does this worksheet take to complete?
The three exercises take approximately 20–25 minutes for most A2–B1 learners. Allow extra time for the writing task in Exercise 3 if students need to think carefully about forming original comparative sentences.