Comparatives and Superlatives

In our current unit in English students have been learning how to compare things based on characteristics. They can say that one animal is faster than another or that one student is taller than another student. In addition, we´ve also been learning the superlatives. We use superlatives in English to say that something is the most of a characteristic like: cheetahs are the fastest animals or Mount Everest is the highest mountain.

To compare 2 things we use the comparative to say something is more of something. We do this by adding -er to the end of the adjective, example: taller, rounder

The superlative is used when comparing 3 or more things to say that one of those things is more of a certain characteristic than the others. We form the superlative by saying something is the (superlative form of the adjective). If the adjective has 1 or 2 syllables we add -est to the end of the adjective, ex: the fastest, the smartest. But, if it has 3 or more syllables we don´t change the adjective, we say the word"most" before it. Example: the most beautiful, the most delicious.

With both the comparative and the superlative, if the adjective ends in "y" we have to change it to an "i" before adding -er or -est.

We´ve included some fantastic web pages with activities and games so your kids can practice comparatives at home with fun games. Click on the links below for the games.

http://www.learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-games/comparatives_and_superlatives

http://www.eslgamesplus.com/comparativessuperlatives-esl-grammar-nature-world-geography-vocabulary-fun-game/