Adjectives can take three forms. I'm not talking about liquid, solid or gas; I mean positive, comparative and superlative.
Simply put, the positive form of an adjective describes a single noun or pronoun.
- Rex is smart. John's car is fast.
The comparative form of an adjective compares two nouns or pronouns.
- Laura is smarter than a fifth grader. I am older than dirt.
The superlative form then compares three or more nouns or pronouns.
- Thunder is the biggest of our three dogs. Nashville is the greatest city in the world!
Not sure when to use more/most, double the last consonant or change y to i? Here are a few general rules. But remember, there are always exceptions.
If the adjective has only one syllable, simply add -er, -est.
cold, colder, coldest
wild, wilder, wildest
kind, kinder, kindest
If the adjective has only one syllable and ends in e, simply add -r, -st.
nice, nicer, nicest
late, later, latest
blue, bluer, bluest
If the last three letters of an adjective are a consonant-vowel-consonant, then double the last letter and add -er, -est.
big, bigger, biggest
hot, hotter, hottest
wet, wetter, wettest
If the adjective has two syllables and ends in y, change the y to i and add -er, -est.
hungry, hungrier, hungriest
happy, happier, happiest
funny, funnier, funniest
If the adjective has two syllables but does not end in y, use "more" or "most" at the beginning of the adjective.
modern, more modern, most modern
fragile, more fragile, most fragile
yellow, more yellow, most yellow
If the adjective has three or more syllables, use "more" or "most" before the adjective.
favorite, more favorite, most favorite
wonderful, more wonderful, most wonderful
comfortable, more comfortable, most comfortable
Comments (5)
"Folks United for Neologism Recognition" (FUNR) begs to differ with you.
Posted by Bill Hudgins | August 28, 2008 3:30 PM
Posted on August 28, 2008 15:30
Hey, so that DOES make funner a word, right?? I have always hated that one.
Posted by Laura Creekmore | August 29, 2008 2:09 PM
Posted on August 29, 2008 14:09
I'm still leaning toward no, it's not a word. But I think Bill would give me a good debate on the subject.
Posted by Summer Huggins | September 2, 2008 7:57 AM
Posted on September 2, 2008 07:57
Just when you thought you had it all figured out, Apple has to go and launch an advertising slogan calling the next version of a product, "The Funnest iPod Ever." Oh well, that settles it. Apple, of course, is also the company that used to tell us to "Think Different."
Posted by Rex Hammock | September 10, 2008 6:48 AM
Posted on September 10, 2008 06:48
Funner is used as a noun in America. Most often found in the hills and out in far rural areas. I.E. "Don't pay him any attention. He's just a funner." Here it means a joker or tease.
Posted by WD9JKC | November 5, 2008 9:02 PM
Posted on November 5, 2008 21:02