-er than / the -est

RuleThe comparative (-er / more) compares two; the superlative (the -est / the most) picks one out of three or more.

Curiosity

bigger or biggest? more careful or most careful? When is it -er, and when more?

Intuition

The comparative is between two, with "than." The superlative is the top of a group, with "the." Short words add -er/-est; longer words use more/most.

Visualization

See the parts: item A, the comparison phrase, item B. The relation: "comparative: A > B (two items, with than)."

The comparative compares two items with "than."

The new modelis more efficient thanthe old one

Essence

One syllable → -er/-est (fast → faster → fastest). Three or more syllables → more/most (expensive). Irregular: good/better/best, bad/worse/worst. Use "the" before superlatives. A double comparative (more faster) is wrong.

Examples

The new printer is faster than the old one.

This is the most reliable supplier we have.

Sales were higher this quarter than last quarter.

Mini-quiz

"This route is ___ than the highway during rush hour." Which fits?