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by Julie A. Daymut, M.A., CCC-SLP
Comparatives and superlatives are words we use to describe and compare things. Comparatives and superlatives can be adjectives (words that modify or change nouns) or adverbs (words that modify or change verbs and adjectives). Comparatives compare two things while superlatives compare three or more things. The superlative reflects the “most” of something, its highest degree or quality.
Examples of Comparatives and Superlatives
Most comparatives end in –er or –ier, although some start with
"more" or "less" (e.g., The test is more difficult than the quiz).
Most superlatives end in –est or –iest, although some start with "most"
or "least" (e.g., The final exam is most difficult). Some typical examples,
with the superlative highlighted, are below:
- loud, louder, loudest
- happy, happier, happiest
- cold, colder, coldest
- high, higher, highest
- big, bigger, biggest
As well, some comparatives and superlatives do not fit the typical rules for construction.
These include: good, better, best and
bad, worse, worst.
Ways to Teach Comparatives and Superlatives
- Draw pictures of objects. Have students draw pictures to "see" comparatives and
superlatives. To start, have them draw familiar objects like shapes—big circle,
bigger circle, biggest circle. To increase the difficulty, have them draw more abstract
items—cold, colder, coldest.
- Put real objects next to each other. Show actual objects next to each other for
students to compare them. For example, place a pillow (soft), marshmallow (softer),
and cotton ball (softest) next to each other.
- Fill-in-the-blanks. Give students sentences to fill-in-the blanks. For example—The
stream is wide. The river is _________ (wider). The ocean is the _________ (widest).
- Put pictures in order. Give students two to three pictures of objects. Have them
put the pictures in order from most to least (e.g., sandwich—thickest, thicker,
thick) or least to most (thick, thicker, thickest). An alternative is to have them
pick out one picture you say (thickest). Or, have them compare two pictures (thick
vs. thicker).
- Act out the words. Ask students to "act out" different comparatives and superlatives
such as happy, happier, and happiest.
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