Grammar: Comparatives and superlatives

Comparison is a variation of the adjective to express different degrees of quality; as, wise, wiser, wisest; good, better, best.

Comparatives and Superlatives

From A New English Grammar for Schools, by Thomas Harvey: 

In ascending comparison

1. The comparative and superlative degrees are regularly formed

a. By adding to the positive of one syllable adjectives.

Add r or er for the comparative.
Add st or est for the superlative.

wise, wiser, wisest

hard, harder, hardest 

b. By prefixing to the positive of adjectives of more than one syllable.

Prefix with more for the comparative.
Prefix with most for the superlative.

honorable, more honorable, most honorable  

2. Adjectives of two syllables ending in y or le after a consonant

often form their comparative and superlative degrees like one syllable words.

holy, holier, holiest

gentle, gentler, gentlest.

3. Adjectives of two syllables ending in a vowel or vowel sound 

sometimes form their comparative and superlative degrees like one syllable words.

handsome, handsomer, handsomest

narrow, narrower, narrowest

4. Some words are expressed in the superlative degree by adding the suffix most. 

hindmost, innermost

In descending comparison

The comparative and superlative degrees are formed by adding a prefix to the positive.

a. The comparative is formed by prefixing less.
b. The superlative is formed by prefixing least.

wise, less wise, least wise

hard, less hard, least hard 

Take note

1. Some adjectives are compared irregularly.

good, better, best

bad, worse, worst

2. One syllable words are sometimes compared by prefixing more and most.

A foot more light, a step more true — Scott

3. Two or more adjectives modifying the same word may be compared by prefixing more and most to the first.

the more nice and elegant parts

Most potent, grave, and reverend seigniors

— Shakespeare

Rule XII — An adjective always belongs to some noun or pronoun.

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