Parts of Speech & Usage

Comparative vs. Superlative Mistakes

1 min read

In English, we use comparatives to compare two things, and superlatives to show the highest or lowest degree among three or more. Mixing these up is a common mistake for English learners.

1. Comparative: comparing two people or things

Add -er to short adjectives or use more before longer ones:

This phone is cheaper than that one. (cheap → cheaper)
She is more careful than her sister. (careful → more careful)

Structure: [Subject] + [comparative adjective] + than + [other item]

2. Superlative: comparing three or more people or things

Add -est to short adjectives or use most before longer ones:

It’s the fastest car in the world.
He’s the most talented player on the team.

Structure: [Subject] + [the + superlative adjective] + [group or category]

Common mistakes

❌ He is more tall than me → ✅ He is taller than me
❌ This is the most cold day → ✅ This is the coldest day
❌ That exam was more easiest → ✅ That exam was the easiest

💡 Tip

Use -er / more when comparing two.
Use -est / most when comparing three or more.
Don’t use more and -er together (e.g. more easier ❌).
For one-syllable adjectives → add -er / -est. For longer adjectives → use more / most.

Test your knowledge 📝

Question 1 sur 8Score: 0/8

My brother is ___ than me.

Discover the app: Shaky English

Join 100,000 people who are improving their English skills on the Shaky English app

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Parts of Speech & Usage

Comparative vs. Superlative Mistakes

1 min read

In English, we use comparatives to compare two things, and superlatives to show the highest or lowest degree among three or more. Mixing these up is a common mistake for English learners.

1. Comparative: comparing two people or things

Add -er to short adjectives or use more before longer ones:

This phone is cheaper than that one. (cheap → cheaper)
She is more careful than her sister. (careful → more careful)

Structure: [Subject] + [comparative adjective] + than + [other item]

2. Superlative: comparing three or more people or things

Add -est to short adjectives or use most before longer ones:

It’s the fastest car in the world.
He’s the most talented player on the team.

Structure: [Subject] + [the + superlative adjective] + [group or category]

Common mistakes

❌ He is more tall than me → ✅ He is taller than me
❌ This is the most cold day → ✅ This is the coldest day
❌ That exam was more easiest → ✅ That exam was the easiest

💡 Tip

Use -er / more when comparing two.
Use -est / most when comparing three or more.
Don’t use more and -er together (e.g. more easier ❌).
For one-syllable adjectives → add -er / -est. For longer adjectives → use more / most.

Test your knowledge 📝

Question 1 sur 8Score: 0/8

My brother is ___ than me.

Discover the app: Shaky English

Join 100,000 people who are improving their English skills on the Shaky English app

Other similar rules

Conjugation

Possessive Nouns

Conjugation

Countable vs. Uncountable Nouns (e.g. informations, advices)

Common confusions

Then vs. Than

Conjugation

Much vs. Many

Common confusions

Insure vs. Ensure vs. Assure

Common confusions

I.e. vs. E.g.

Common mistakes

Present Perfect vs. Past Simple

Agreement rules