In the Elementary level 'Comparative and Superlative Adjectives' we studied the following structures:
1) Comparative with 'than' to compare an object, person or action with another:
- Tom is younger then his father.
- Susan is more beautiful than Jen.
- Swimming is more boring than football.
2) Superlative:
- He's the oldest in the class.
- What is the longest river in the world?
- That hotel is the most expensive in the town.
A few adjectives have irregular forms in the comparative and superlative:
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
| good | better | best |
| bad | worse | worst |
| little | less | least |
| much, many, some | more | most |
| far | further | furthest |
3) Before comparatives we can use much, a lot, far (= a lot), a bit, a little and slightly (= a little) to give emphasis:
- She's much nicer than her sister.
- Could you speak a little more slowly?
- Don't go by car. It's a lot more expensive.
4) We can use other ways to make a comparison instead of 'than'. As...as shows that something is the same or equal:
- Tom's as tall as Michael.
- I'm as worried as you are.
- I'm sorry I'm late. I got here as fast as I could.
Not as...as shows that something isn't the same or equal:
- The city centre wasn't as crowded yesterday as it is today.
- Peter isn't as rich as her sister.
- My car wasn't as expensive as yours.
5) The comparative of old is older. We can use elder instead of older when we talk about people in a family:
- My elder brother is a pilot.
To compare two people we don't use elder but older:
- My father is older than our neighbour.
The superlative of old is oldest. We can use eldest instead of oldest when we are talking about people in a family:
- His eldest daughter is 7 years old.
- Are you the eldest in your family?
