Comparison of Adjectives – JSS1 English Lesson Note (First Term)

Comparison of adjectives is the way an adjective changes its form to show a higher degree of a quality. Adjectives have three forms of comparison: positive, comparative and superlative. For example, clean is the positive, cleaner is the comparative and (the) cleanest is the superlative.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. name the three forms of comparison;
2. give the comparative and superlative of adjectives with one syllable;
3. give the comparative and superlative of two-syllable adjectives ending in -y, -er and -le;
4. identify adjectives that have two possible forms of comparison (-er/-est and more/most);
5. spell the comparative and superlative of common adjectives correctly;
6. use the comparative and superlative correctly in sentences.

What are the forms of comparison?

There are three forms of comparison: positive, comparative and superlative.

• Positive: the basic adjective, used to describe one person or thing, as in “clean”.
• Comparative: compares two people or things, as in “cleaner”.
• Superlative: compares three or more people or things and shows the highest degree, as in “cleanest”.

How do we compare adjectives with -er/-est?

We add -er to make the comparative and -est to make the superlative of short adjectives.

Example: clean → cleaner → (the) cleanest

We use -er/-est with the following adjectives.

1.1 Adjectives with one syllable

A syllable is one beat of sound in a word. Words such as clean, new and cheap have one syllable.

1.2 Adjectives with two syllables and the following endings

1.2.1 Adjectives with two syllables, ending in -y

1.2.2 Adjectives with two syllables, ending in -er

1.2.3 Adjectives with two syllables, ending in -le

What are the spelling rules for -er/-est?

Some adjectives change their spelling when we add -er or -est.

Which adjectives use more/most?

Longer adjectives form the comparative with “more” and the superlative with “most” instead of -er/-est.

• Adjectives with three or more syllables: beautiful, more beautiful, most beautiful.
• Interesting: more interesting, most interesting.
• Many two-syllable adjectives not ending in -y, -er or -le: careful, more careful, most careful.
• Famous: more famous, most famous.

• Do not use both forms together. Write “more beautiful”, not “more beautifuler”.

Which adjectives have two possible forms of comparison?

Some adjectives are special because they have two possible forms of comparison (-er/-est and more/most).

What are irregular adjectives?

Irregular adjectives are adjectives that do not follow the -er/-est or more/most rules.

How do we use the comparative and superlative in sentences?

We use “than” after a comparative and “the” before a superlative.

• Comparative with than: This mango is sweeter than that one.
• Comparative with than: Ada is happier than she was yesterday.
• Superlative with the: Ngozi is the cleverest girl in our class.
• Superlative with the: This is the cheapest bag in the shop.

Evaluation

1. Name the three forms of comparison.
2. Write the comparative and superlative of: new, cheap, happy, pretty.
3. Write the comparative and superlative of clever and simple.
4. Give the two possible comparative forms of polite.
5. Write the comparative and superlative of: big, nice, good.

Assignment

Write the comparative and superlative of each adjective: clean, dirty, easy, common, pleasant.