English Suffixes: Comparative and Superlative Forms

Using Suffixes for Comparison

In the English language, we often need to compare two things or make a distinction between degrees of a quality. To achieve this, we append specific suffixes to words that help us convey the intended comparison. In this article, we'll explore the comparative and superlative forms, focusing on the suffixes 'er' and 'ier' for the comparative, and 'est' and 'iest' for the superlative.

Comparative Form: 'er' and 'ier'

Both 'er' and 'ier' are used to compare two things or actions. The choice between the two suffixes depends on the last sound of the word to which they are attached.

• If the word ends in a vowel or a silent 'e', use 'er'. For example: quick → quicker, beautiful → more beautiful, happy → happier.
• If the word ends in a consonant, use 'ier'. For example: high → higher, bitter → bitterer, young → younger.

Superlative Form: 'est' and 'iest'

To indicate the highest degree of something, we use the superlative form with 'est' or 'iest'.

• If the word ends in a vowel or a silent 'e', use 'est'. For example: quick → quickest, beautiful → most beautiful, happy → happiest.
• If the word ends in a consonant, use 'iest'. For example: high → highest, bitter → bitterest, young → youngest.

Irregular Comparison Forms

Certain words form their comparative and superlative forms in irregular ways, making them exceptions to the general rules mentioned above. For example:

• Good → better (comparative) → best (superlative)
• Bad → worse (comparative) → worst (superlative)

Examples

To illustrate these suffixes in action, consider the following examples:

• Maria is a faster runner than John. (comparative using 'er')
• Emma is the fastest runner of all. (superlative using 'est')
• The new technology is more advanced than the previous one. (comparative using 'er')
• The latest computer model is the most advanced. (superlative using 'est')

Common Pitfalls

1. Misplacing the suffix: Make sure to place the suffix after the word and not before it. For example, faster is correct, while fast-er is incorrect.
2. Overlooking the spelling rule: Remember to check the word's ending before choosing between 'er', 'ier', 'est', or 'iest'.
3. Confusing the comparative and superlative forms: Ensure you know the difference between the two forms, as they serve different purposes.

Summary

In the English language, suffixes such as 'er' and 'ier' are used for comparative forms, and 'est' and 'iest' are used for superlative forms. Understanding the rules for these suffixes will help you communicate effectively when comparing two things or actions. And remember, while it's essential to be precise and accurate, it's also important to keep your language simple and clear.