Grammar Reference • one-syllable adjectives add –est and the article the is put before the adjective long – the longest; cheap – the cheapest • one-syllable adjectives that end in ‘e’ add only -st nice – the nicest; large – the largest • one-syllable adjectives ending in one vowel and one consonant double the final consonant before adding -est This boat was the fastest in the regatta. Which is the biggest city in the world? • two-syllable adjectives ending in –y change the ‘y’ to ‘i’ and add –est. This is the easiest Maths test I have ever done! • two-syllable adjectives not ending in –y form the superlative with the most + adjective. Despite her serious illness she was the most cheerful person I have ever met! • three-syllable or longer adjectives form the superlative with the most + adjective. ‘Eastenders’ is one of the most popular soap operas in England. Inge is the most entertaining person I have ever met! Irregular Comparatives and Superlatives Adjective good / well bad old much / many far little
Comparative better worse older / elder more farther / further less
Superlative the best the worst the oldest / the eldest the most the farthest / the furthest the least
Other types of comparisons When two elements are similar, we use as + adjective + as (no matter how many syllables). The film was as funny as the book.
Less + adjective + than can be used instead of more + adjective + than in the opposite meaning. The gold ring I bought for Mary is less expensive than the one you were given. The gold ring you were given is more expensive than the one I bought for Mary. To modify comparatives, we can use far, much, a lot, a little, a bit. She was given a far / much more important part in the play. This room is a lot bigger than the one I had in my old house. You should have been a little more energetic. Do you mind if I drive a bit faster? We’re late.
Comparative and Superlative Adverbs To form comparative and superlative adverbs we use the same rules as for adjectives. Regular adverbs
Irregular adverbs Adverb fast (drive fast) early late badly hard (study hard)
Comparative faster earlier later worse harder
Superlative the fastest the earliest the latest the worst the hardest
UNIT 4 Articles The definite article the is used: • for something definite or already mentioned Grandma has got a cat and a parrot. The cat is black and the parrot is green. • for objects or things which are unique The Moon moves around the Earth. The Colosseum is the most famous monument in Rome. • before musical instruments Have you ever played the cello? • before the names of seas, oceans, rivers, canals, groups of islands, mountain ranges, deserts The Adriatic Sea – The Atlantic Ocean – The Nile – The Panama Canal - The British Isles – The Alps – The Gobi Desert. • before countries which end with kingdom, republic, states and a few others The United Kingdom – The Czech Republic – The United States of America - The Vatican City – The Netherlands – The Philippines The Lebanon - The Sudan. • before the names of theatres, museums, galleries, newspapers, ships, organisations The Globe Theatre – The Science Museum – The National Gallery – The New York Times - The Queen Mary – The United Nations – The police. • before places such as (to) the cinema, (in) the garden, (at) the seaside, (in) the mountains, (at) the supermarket, (to) the library. • before buildings where people are visitors go to the hospital / to the prison (=to visit somebody); go to the school (=to talk to teachers), go to the church (=to visit it), the British Museum, the Empire State Building • before families and nationality words The Smiths – The Portuguese – The Irish – The Swiss – The Canadians. • with superlatives This was the hardest task to carry out. • with time expressions such as in the morning / afternoon / evening, in the past, in the future. • with collective nouns the rich and the poor. No article is used for:
Adverb loudly carefully
Comparative more / less loudly more / less carefully
Superlative the most / the least loudly the most / the least carefully
• uncountable nouns and plural countable nouns with a general meaning Go and get bread, butter and jam, please. I love classical music. Computers are getting more and more powerful.
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