Form Comparatives And Superlatives Correctly

Skill

Form Comparatives And Superlatives Correctly

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The problem with some of the comparative and superlative sentences on the TOEFL test is that the comparative or superlative is formed incorrectly. You should therefore understand how to form the comparative and superlative to answer such questions correctly.

The comparative is formed with either -er or more and than. In the comparative, -er is used with short adjectives such as tall, and more is used with longer adjectives such as beautiful.

Bob is taller than Ron.
Sally is more beautiful than Sharon.

The superlative is formed with the, either -est or most, and sometimes in, of, or a that-clause. In the superlative, -est is used with short adjectives such as tall, and most is used with longer adjectives such as beautiful.

Bob is the tallest man in the room.

Sally is the most beautiful of all the women at the party.

The spider over there is the largest one that I have ever seen.

The fastest runner wins the race. (no in, of, or that)

The following chart outlines the possible forms of comparatives and superlatives:

  • Comparatives: [ more (long adjective) (short adjective) + er ] than
  • Superlatives: the [ most (long adjective) (short adjective) + est ] maybe in, of,

Exercise

Complete the following exercises to reinforce what you’ve learned:

Each of the following sentences contains a comparative or superlative. Circle the comparative or superlative. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

  1. Oxygen is abundanter than nitrogen.
  2. The directions to the exercise say to choose the most appropriate response.
  3. The lesson you are studying now is the most importantest lesson that you will have.
  4. Fashions this year are shorter and more colorful than they were last year.
  5. The professor indicated that Anthony's research paper was more long than the other students' papers.
  6. Alaska is the coldest than all the states in the United States.
  7. The workers on the day shift are more rested than the workers on the night shift.
  8. She was more happier this morning than she had been yesterday.
  9. The quarterback on this year's football team is more versatile than the quarterback on last year's team.
  10. She always tries to do the best and most efficient job that she can do.

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