Comparatives and superlatives
I. Comparatives
A. Superiority (plus….que)
1. Short adjectives
- Regular comparative
Suject + verb + adj-er + than + complement
Peter is stronger than Jason
NB:
- For monosyllabic adjectives ending in a consonant and preceded by a vowel , we must double the last consonant before adding $\textbf{-er}$
Eg:- Hot + t + er (hotter) than
- Thin + n + er (thinner) than
- For short adjective ending in -y and preceded by a consonant,we must transform $\textbf{-y in [i]}$ before adding $\textbf{-er}$.
Eg:- Lazy→lazier than
- Crazy→crazier than
- Noisy→noisier than
- For monosyllabic adjectives ending in a consonant and preceded by a vowel , we must double the last consonant before adding $\textbf{-er}$
- Irregular comparative
Some adjectives or adverbs do not have a regular formation. it is necessary to know them by heart.
good | bad | far |
better than | worse than | farther/ further than |
Eg: Ouagadougou is further than Bama.
2. Long adjectives
Subject + Verb + more + adjective + than + complement.
Eg: - Sogodala is more talkative than Sountere
- I am more intelligent than my neighbour
3. Inferiority (Moins….que)
Subject + verb + less + adjectives (short/long) + than + complement. (moins.....que).
Eg: - I am less lazy than Mary
- You become less impolite than me.
B. Equality(aussi…que)
Affirmative : Subject + Verb + as + adjectives(short/long)
Ex: He is as stupid as his brother .
Negative : Subject + auxiliary + not so + adjectives + as + compement.
Ex: She is not so courageous as her mother.
Interrogative: Auxiliairy + Subject + as + adjectives + as + complement ?
Ex: Is Alan as kind as Ellen?
II. Superlative
A. Superiority
1. Short adjective
- Regular superlative
Subject + verb + the + adj-est + noun + complement
Eg:- Alassane is the biggest student of the class
- February is the shortest month of the year.
- Irregular superlative.
Some adjectives or adverbs do not have a regular formation. it is therefore necessary to learn them by heart.
good | bad | far |
the best | the worst | the farthest/ the furthest |
Eg: Moussa is the best friend I have ever had.
2. Long adjectives
Subject + verb + the adj-est + noun + complement.
Eg:
- Philosophy is the most difficult subject in upper sixth A
- Enlgish is the most interesting language in the world.
B. Inferiority
Subject + Verb + the least + adjectives (short/long) + noun + complement.
Eg: Fousseni is the least wise boy of his village
Alex is the least diligent student of the class.
Recapulating: Irregular comparative and superlative
Adjectives |
Comparatives |
Superlatives |
Meaning |
Good/well |
better |
The best |
Bon/bien |
Bad |
Worse |
The worst |
Mauvais |
Old |
older |
The oldest |
Vieux/âgé |
Far |
Farther /further |
The farthest/the furthest |
Loin, éloigné |
Little |
less |
The least |
Peu, petit |
Many/much |
More |
The most |
Beaucoup |