Comparative Adjectives — Comparing Two Things

We use the comparative form of an adjective to compare two things.

• White meat is healthier than red meat.
• Travelling by bus is more comfortable than travelling by train.

Less … than

Use less + adjective + than to mean “not as much as”.

Peter is less considerate than Marta. (= Marta is more considerate)

Not as … as

Use (not) as + adjective + as for equal or unequal comparison.

Peter isn’t as considerate as Marta. (= Marta is more considerate)

Than me / Than I am

After than or as…as, you can use either:
• Object pronoun (me, him, her) — informal but common
• Subject pronoun + verb — formal

• My sister is taller than me.
• My sister is taller than I am.
• His sister is more intelligent than him.
• His sister is more intelligent than he is.

Much / A lot / A bit + comparative

Use these modifiers before comparatives to show degree.

• He’s a bit taller than me.
• Florence is much more interesting than Pisa.
• My car is a lot more expensive than yours.

Superlative Adjectives — Comparing Three or More Things

Use the superlative form when comparing three or more people or things.

• John and his brother play football — John is better.
• John and his two brothers play football — John is the best.

The + Superlative + in / of

Use in before places or groups. Use of for larger sets (rarely used at A2).

• Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
• She is the best student in the class.
• He’s the tallest in the family.
• It’s the most beautiful view of the Alps.

The best I’ve ever…

Combine superlatives with present perfect + ever for life experiences.

• This is the best movie I’ve ever watched.
• She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.

The / My / John’s + Superlative

Always use the or a possessive before a superlative.

• He is the best.
• This is my most expensive jacket.
• This is Paul’s best friend.

Comparative and Superlative Adverbs

Use comparatives and superlatives of adverbs to compare actions.

• She drives fast, but I drive faster.
• He plays well, but I play better than him.

Adverbs ending in -ly

For adverbs formed with -ly, use more and most.

• She speaks more quietly than her boss.
• He cooks more slowly than his workmates.

❌ Incorrect: “quietlier”, “slowlier”

One or Two-Syllable Adverbs

Some adverbs (like early, late, fast, hard) follow the same rules as adjectives.

• He works harder than me.
• She always arrives later than her boss.