Adjectives: Order, Comparison and Practice
An adjective describes a noun. It tells you which one, what kind or how many. For example, a red kite, the tallest boy, or three oranges.
Exam questions rarely ask what an adjective is. They test 2 skills. Can you put adjectives in the right order? Can you choose the right form to compare things? This lesson practises both.
In this lesson you will learn:
- The order adjectives must follow before a noun.
- When to use -er and -est, and when to use more and most.
- The 3 comparison mistakes that exams often test, with practice questions.
Skill 1: the order of adjectives
When 2 or more adjectives come before a noun, they follow a fixed order.
opinion → size → age → shape → colour → origin → material → purpose
✓ a beautiful little old round blue vase
✗ a blue old beautiful little round vase
You do not need to learn the whole list by heart. Most of it will already sound right to you.
Exams most often test opinion before fact. Write a lovely wooden box (✓), never a wooden lovely box (✗).
Skill 2: comparing with adjectives
- A comparative (-er or more) compares 2 things.
- A superlative (-est or most) compares 3 or more things. It takes the.
| Adjective | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| tall | taller | the tallest |
| busy | busier | the busiest |
| careful | more careful | the most careful |
| good | better | the best |
| bad | worse | the worst |
Quick rule. Short adjectives take -er and -est. Short means 1 syllable, or 2 syllables ending in -y. Longer adjectives take more and most. Never use both. More taller is always wrong.
The 3 comparison mistakes
| Mistake | Wrong | Right |
|---|---|---|
| Using 2 comparison forms together | ✗ This puzzle is more easier than the last one. | ✓ This puzzle is easier than the last one. |
| Using a comparative for 3 or more | ✗ Of all the runners, Devi is the faster. | ✓ Of all the runners, Devi is the fastest. |
| Leaving out "the" when comparing with everyone | ✗ Leila is most skilled at solving puzzles. | ✓ Leila is the most skilled at solving puzzles. |
Practise with exam-style questions
She bought a __________ dress for the celebration.
Show answer & explanation
Answer: (B) lovely red silk
The correct answer is (B) 'lovely red silk'. The order is opinion, then colour, then material. 'Lovely' is an opinion, 'red' is a colour and 'silk' is a material. The other options put material or colour before the opinion, which breaks the order.
This is __________ storybook I have ever read.
Show answer & explanation
Answer: (A) the most interesting
The correct answer is (A) 'the most interesting'. 'I have ever read' compares this book with all books. So we need the superlative with 'the'. (B) and (D) are comparatives, which compare only 2 things. (C) is missing 'the'.
My brother is two years __________ than me.
Show answer & explanation
Answer: (B) older
The correct answer is (B) 'older'. 'Than' needs a comparative. 'Old' is a short adjective, so it takes -er. (A) 'elder' is only used before a noun, as in 'my elder brother'. It is never used with 'than'. (C) 'more old' is wrong, because 'old' is short and takes -er. (D) 'oldest' is a superlative.
The weather today is even __________ than yesterday.
Show answer & explanation
Answer: (A) worse
The correct answer is (A) 'worse'. 'Bad' is irregular. Its forms are bad, worse and the worst. 'Than' tells you a comparative is needed, so 'worse' fits. (B) 'worst' is the superlative. (C) and (D) are not standard English.
Remember
- Put the opinion adjective first. Then come the facts in order: size, age, shape, colour, origin, material, purpose.
- For 2 things, use a comparative (-er or more). For 3 or more, use a superlative with the (-est or most).
- Never use both forms together. More easier ✗ and more taller ✗ are both wrong.
Next: review Nouns: types, examples and practice, or test yourself with PSLE grammar MCQ practice.