English grammar: 100 main rules

– Several two-syllable adjectives and all three- (and more) syllable adjectives form the comparative degree with more.

more + adjective

moreexpensive,morefamous,moreimportant,moreinteresting,moreprofitable,moresomber,moreuseful

The new hairdo makes Andrewmore handsome.

Time ismore valuablethan money.

2) Inferiority

less + adjective

lessbusy,lessclever,lesshot,lessexpensive,lessfamous,lessimportant,lessinteresting

This way isless easythan the way Andrew offers.

I preferless dangerousdriving.

Note

Use certain adverbs to enhance the meaning of comparative adjectives.

far/much/a lot

slightly/a little/a bit

Olivia isfar prettierthan her sister.

This will sounda bit morepolite.

Note

It is possible to use the double comparison of adjectives combined with change-of-state verbs.

adjective-er + and + adjective-er

more adjective + and + more adjective

The days are gettingshorter and shorter.

The word is becomingmore and more ridiculous.

Note

Use the following combination to emphasize the inevitable consequence in degree change of comparative adjectives.

The adjective-er, the adjective-er

The more adjective, the more adjective

The sweeterproducts are,the unhealthierthey are.

The more luxuriousgoods are,the more expensivethey are.

Superlative Degree of Adjectives

The superlative degree demonstrates differences among three or more objects.

1) Superiority

– Most one- and two-syllable adjectives form the comparative degree by adding – est ending.

the adjective + – est

clever – the cleverest,dull – the dullest,large – the largest,weak – the weakest,young – the youngest

– Several two-syllable adjectives and all three- (and more) syllable adjectives form the comparative degree with most.

the most + adjective

the mostexpensive,the mostfamous,the mostimportant,the mostinteresting,the mostprofitable,the mostsomber,the mostuseful

2) Inferiority

the least + adjective

the leastbusy,the leastclever,the leasthot,the leastexpensive,the leastfamous,the leastimportant,the leastinteresting

The least strongcheese will do for this sort of wine.

What arethe least prestigiousjobs?

RULE 10. Substantivized Adjectives

Substantivized Adjectives

the + adjective

1) substantivized adjectives denote a whole class of persons characterized by a specific feature. In most cases such adjectives agree with a plural verb.

the elderly, the handicapped, the lonely, the needy

Olivia's aunt works in school forthe blind.

The richalso cry.

2) substantivized adjectives may as well refer to the whole nation.