Adjectives - Good, Better and Best

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English has a few adjectives whose comparative and superlative forms are irregular. That is, they don't form the usual patterns for forming comparatives and superlatives (-er, -est; or -ier, iest; or more-, most-).

http://www.bartleby.com/64/C001/003.html


Positive    Comparative        Superlative
good        better             best 
bad         worse              worst 
little      littler, less      littlest, least 
far         farther, further   farthest, furthest
http://www.bartleby.com/64/C001/003.html

For ESL learners it is important to learn "good, better, best" and "bad, worse, worst" because they are very commonly used. Also, "more, most" and "less, least" are very commonly used.

It is fair to say that those adjectives known as "absolute terms" are also irregular adjectives, because they have no comparatives whatsoever.

See: http://forums.delphiforums.com/UsingEnglish/messages?msg=2357.11

base word     comparative     superlative
good          better          best 
bad           worse           worst 
little        less            least 
much (many)   more            most 
well          better          best 
far           further         furthest

16 Comments

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Nguyen Khac Dai

is the comparative form of "bold" bolder?

Thanks and regards

Yes, it is:
bold/bolder/boldest

I'm confused about Comparative and Superlative will you please describ for me, then give me example for these.

Mehran, go to our forum if you have questions to ask about language:
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Sr.

As far as I know it is correct to say Eg:

-This is the easiest work to do.
-This work is easier than the other.

But what about this cases:
-This work is much easier than the other
-This work is the easier than the other

In case of being correct, Do they mean the same?

Sincerely
Jonathan.

Jonathan,

-This work is much easier than the other

This sentence is fine.

-This work is the easier than the other

This one doesn't work for me- you could say that something is 'the easier of the two', but I wouldn't say 'the easier than'.

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mercedes mueller

I have a doubt: how do you form the comparative for the adjective "good-lookin". I think I've heard something like: "she is the best good-looking woman I've ever seen". Is that right?
Many thanks

What would be the superlative form of "Honest"?

what is a positive for wore and what is a superlative for worse!

dear sir/madam
hope to join with to learn and study more
English such as grramer, words , topics and so on.
Tanks

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When do I use Better and best?
I was told that when we are comparing two items is used "better" and when we have more than two items is used "best"
ie which apple (three kinds of apples) tastes better?
which apple tastes best? is right.
Thank you
Teresa

what is a good adjestive i onley have till so fast send in your answers plz oh ya and if you guys no any one named shahid patel tell him i am in love with him

good/gooder/goodest, right?

Good/Better/Best

Hi,

I'd like to ask this question:

Of the two books, this one is......
a. better
b. the best

Thank for you help.

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