286. Comparative and Superlative Adjectives With More and Most

Adjectives with one syllable always add -er to show the comparative and -est to show the superlative.
big, bigger, biggest

Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y also use -er, and -est after changing the -y into an -i, like this:
easy, easier, easiest
busy, busier, busiest
ready, readier, readiest
happy, happier, happiest

Two-syllable adjectives not ending in -y use more and most to show comparative and superlative:
My bedroom is peaceful.
The forest is more peaceful.
Being at the ocean is the most peaceful of all.

helpful, more helpful, most helpful
awkward, more awkward, most awkward
careless, more careless, most careless

Adjectives of three or more syllables always use more and most to show comparative and superlative.
This horse is enormous.
The bison is more enormous.
That elephant is the most enormous of all.

important, more important, most important
wonderful, more wonderful, most wonderful
different, more different, most different

Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y change the -y to -i before adding -er and -est for comparative and superlative. Other two and three-syllable adjectives use the words more and most to show comparative and superlative.

  • You try it. Put the correct comparative form of the adjective into each blank. Mom is busy, but Dad is ____. My job is important, but Dad’s job is ___________. Did you use the words busier and more important for the two blanks? Good for you!