SKILL 27: FORM COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES CORRECTLY

STRUCTURE AND WRITTEN EXPRESSION

SKILL 27: FORM COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES CORRECTLY

The problem with some of the comparative and superlative sentences on the TOEFL test is that the comparative and superlative is formed incorrectly.

The comparative is formed with either –er or more and than. In the comparative, er is used with short adjectives such as tall, and more is used with longer adjectives such as beautiful.

examples

ü Bob is taller than Ron. ü Sally is more beautiful than Sharon.

 

The superlative is formed with either –est or most and sometimes in, of, or a that-clause. In the superlative, - est is used with short adjectives such as tall, and most is used with longer adjectives such as beautiful.

examples

ü The spider over there is the largest one that I have ever seen. ü The fastest runner wins the race

The following chart outlines the possible forms of comparatives and superlatives.

EXERCISE 27: Each of the following sentences contains a comparative or superlative. Circle the comparative and superlative. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

 

_______	3	The lesson you are studying now is the most importantest lesson that ypu will have.
_______	4	Fashions this year are shorter and more colourful than they were last year.
_______	5	The professor indicated that Anthony’s research paper was more long than the other students’ papers.
_______	6	Alaska is the coldest than all the states in the United States.
_______	7	The workers on the day shift are more rested than the workers on the night shift.
_______	8	She was more happier this morning than she had been yesterday.
_______	9	The quarterback on this year’s football team is more versatile than the quarterback on last year’s team.
_______	10	She always tries to do the best and most efficient job that she can do.

ANSWER KEY

1	I	(abundanter should be more abundant)
2	C
3	I	(importantest should be important)
4	C
5	I	(more long should be longer)
6	I	(than should be of)
7	C
8	I	(omit more)
9	C
10	C