Comparative and Superlative
Adjectives and Adverbs
Adjectives and adverbs are words the modify other words. The comparative form of an adjective or adverb compares two things. The superlative form of an adjective or adverb compares three of more things.
Examples
Adjectives
large larger largest
The first apple is large.
The second apple is larger than the first.
The third apple is the largest of the three.
The jalopy is a fast car.
The racecar is the faster car.
The dragster is the fastest car.
To make comparative and superlative forms of adjectives some rules must be followed.
Rule 1

 
To form the comparative or superlative
of one syllable words with
more than one vowel OR ending
with more than one consonant at the
add -er OR -est.
Rule 2

 

To form the comparative or
superlative of a one syllable word ending
in e add -r OR -st.
Rule 3

 

To form the comparative or superlative of a one syllable word with one vowel and one consonant at the end double the consonant, and add -er OR -est.
Rule 4

 
To form the comparative or superlative of a two syllable word ending in y, change the y to i, then add -er OR -est.
Rule 5

 
To form the comparative or superlative of a two syllable word ending a vowel-sound that is not stressed then add -er OR -est.
Adjectives ending in –le, -ow, er frequently take –er and –est.
Rules at a Glance
 
Like adjectives some adverbs can
take comparative and superlative
forms, with -er and -est:  
Sally works hard.
Steve works harder than Sally
Kathy and Sue work the hardest of all.
The bird sings loudly.
The moose sang louder than the bird.
Pete sang the loudest of them all.
List of Adverbs in Which -er and -est May Be Added
However, the majority of adverbs do not take these endings. Instead, they form the comparative using more and the superlative using most:  
Activities
Slide Show Going Over Rules
http://www.eflnet.com/grammar/adjtut.swf
The Adjective Detective (4 Activities – 2 Going Over Rules, a Quiz, and a Game)
http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/interactives/literacy/wordclasses/adjective_detective.swf

Slideshow Going Over Rules
http://faculty.mdc.edu/jkolasin/tutorials/files/modifiers.swf
I Never Know Which to Use (Slideshow with Activities)
http://www.k8websites.com/0506/ERORMORE.swf

Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
(10 multiple choice questions) http://www.eflnet.com/grammar/compsupadj1.swf
Regular Comparatives and Superlatives
(10 multiple choice questions)
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/regcom1.htm

Practice
Go to your student packet and complete the practice on Comparative and Superlative Adjectives and Adverb, page 30, items 1-31.
Irregular Comparative and Superlative Adjectives and Adverbs
Some comparative and superlative forms are irregular and do not follow any rules or patterns. These must be memorized.
Irregular Adverbs
Irregular Adjectives
Example:

Nathan made good stew.
Molly`s stew was better than Nathan`s.
Ezra made the best stew of all.
Practice
Go to your student packet and complete the practice on Irregular Comparative and Superlative Adjectives and Adverb, page 33, items 1-15.