Common Adjective Errors: Comparative and Superlative Forms

Comparative and superlative forms of adjectives are used to compare the qualities of two or more things. Here are some common mistakes:

Using the Wrong Form

• Incorrect: This book is more interesting than that book.
• Correct: This book is more interesting than that book.
• Incorrect: This is the goodest book I’ve ever read.
• Correct: This is the best book I’ve ever read.

Using “more” or “most” with Irregular Adjectives

• Incorrect: This book is more good than that book.
• Correct: This book is better than that book.

Using “more” or “most” with Adjectives with One Syllable

• Incorrect: This book is more interesting than that book.
• Correct: This book is more interesting than that book.

Practice Exercises:

1. This book is (more interesting/interestingest) than that book.
2. This is the (good/better/best) book I’ve ever read.
3. This book is (more old/older) than that book.
4. This is the (expensive/more expensive/most expensive) book in the store.
5. This book is (more good/better) than that book.

Answers:

1. more interesting
2. best
3. older
4. most expensive
5. better

Comparative and Superlative Form Practice

Identify the correct comparative or superlative form in each sentence.

1. This book is (more interesting/interestingest) than that book.
2. This is the (good/better/best) book I’ve ever read.
3. This book is (more old/older) than that book.
4. This is the (expensive/more expensive/most expensive) book in the store.
5. This book is (more good/better) than that book.
6. This is the (hot/hotter/hottest) day of the year.
7. This cake is (more delicious/deliciousest) than that cake.
8. This is the (big/bigger/biggest) house in the neighborhood.
9. This book is (more interesting/interestingest) than any other book I’ve read.
10. This is the (bad/worse/worst) movie I’ve ever seen.

Answers:

1. more interesting
2. best
3. older
4. most expensive
5. better
6. hottest
7. more delicious
8. biggest
9. most interesting
10. worst