110 THE FACTS ON FILE GUIDE TO GOOD WRITING The comparative form refers to the relationship between two nouns: This beer is stronger than that one. That is the better of the two paintings.
In their simplest form comparative and superlative forms are created through the addition of the suffix -er (the comparative form) or -est (the superlative form) to the stem word: This is the larger of the two houses. That is the broadest part of the structure.
When creating comparative or superlative, if the adjective ends in a single vowel followed by a single consonant, the consonant is doubled: Give her the bigger coat. Fold the pastry where the dough is thinnest.
When the adjective ends in a consonant and -y, the final letter becomes an -i before the addition of the suffix: She was the prettiest girl in her year. That certainly looks like the easier option.
Note that in a small number of cases it may be acceptable to leave the final -y unchanged (as in drier or dryer). In the case of adjectives that end in a consonant and -e the final e is not doubled (closer, palest). Alternatively, an adjective may be preceded by more (the comparative form) or most (the superlative form) rather than having a suffix added. He is the more talented of the two brothers. The emperor controls the most powerful army in the field.
The general rule is that the suffixes -er and -est are always employed in the case of one-syllable words and of two-syllable words ending in -y (dirty, filthy), -le (feeble, subtle), -ow (hollow, shallow), and -er (clever), whereas the words more or most (or less and least) are applied to other two-syllable words and to words of three or more syllables (more horrific, most beautiful, less harrowing, least attractive). Some adjectives are correct in either form (heavier/more heavy, flakiest/most flaky). In the case of compound adjectives (see below), similarly, either method may be used (more strong willed, stronger-willed). There are various circumstances in which these rules do not apply, however, as is the case sometimes when two adjectives (even monosyllabic ones) are compared with each other (less arrogant than cheeky) or when the accuracy of an adjective is being questioned (no more wise than I am). Note that there is also a small number of irregularly formed comparatives and superlatives, such as good/better/best and bad/worse/worst. Particular care should be taken not to confuse comparatives and superlatives or to use them in the wrong context. Comparatives should be confined