Comparatives and Superlatives

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What Are Comparatives and Superlatives?

We use comparatives to compare two people, places, things, or ideas.

Example:

  • She is taller than her husband.

We use superlatives to compare three or more people, places, things, or ideas and show which one is at the highest or lowest level.

Example:

  • Paris is the biggest city in France.

Watch the Video

Now watch the following video and take notes on the main rules and examples.

Understanding Syllables

To form comparatives and superlatives correctly, you need to know how many syllables an adjective has.

A syllable is a sound beat in a word.

Examples:

  • find → 1 syllable
  • finding → 2 syllables (find + ing)

Rules for Forming Comparatives and Superlatives

1. One-Syllable Adjectives Ending in Silent -e

Example: nice

FormRuleExample
ComparativeAdd -rnice → nicer
SuperlativeAdd -stnice → nicest

More examples:

  • large → larger → largest
  • safe → safer → safest

2. One-Syllable Adjectives Ending in Consonant + Vowel + Consonant

Example: big

FormRuleExample
ComparativeDouble the final consonant + -erbig → bigger
SuperlativeDouble the final consonant + -estbig → biggest

More Examples:

  • hot → hotter → hottest
  • thin → thinner → thinnest

3. One-Syllable Adjectives Ending in More Than One Consonant or More Than One Vowel

Examples: high, cheap, soft

FormRuleExample
ComparativeAdd -erhigh → higher
SuperlativeAdd -esthigh → highest

More Examples:

  • cheap → cheaper → cheapest
  • soft → softer → softest

4. Two-Syllable Adjectives Ending in -y

Example: happy

FormRuleExample
ComparativeChange y → i + -erhappy → happier
SuperlativeChange y → i + -esthappy → happiest

More Examples:

  • easy → easier → easiest
  • busy → busier → busiest

5. Adjectives with Two or More Syllables (Not Ending in -y)

Example: exciting

FormRuleExample
Comparativemore + adjective + thanmore exciting than
Superlativethe most + adjectivethe most exciting

More Examples:

  • more beautiful than
  • more interesting than
  • the most beautiful
  • the most interesting

Examples in Context

  • The Nile River is longer and more famous than the Thames.
  • Egypt is hotter than Sweden.
  • Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
  • This is one of the most exciting films I have ever seen.

Irregular Comparatives and Superlatives

AdjectiveComparativeSuperlative
badworseworst
far (distance)fartherfarthest
far (extent)furtherfurthest
goodbetterbest
littlelessleast
manymoremost
muchmoremost

Expressing Similarity

To show that two things are equal, use:

as + adjective + as

Examples:

  • Mike is as intelligent as Nancy.
  • Larry is as popular as Oprah.

Practice

Exercise 1 – Complete the Sentences

Use the correct comparative or superlative form.

  1. Mary is the ____________________ (lazy) student in the class.
  2. Rob’s apartment is ____________________ (nice) mine.
  3. Elephants are ____________________ (fat) camels.
  4. Kim is the ____________________ (small) of all my friends.
  5. I think tornadoes are ____________________ (bad) hurricanes.
  6. Laura speaks English ____________________ (good) Susan.
  7. My car is ____________________ (old) yours.
  8. This is the ____________________ (beautiful) beach I have ever visited.
  9. John is ____________________ (busy) than his brother.
  10. February is the ____________________ (short) month of the year.

Exercise 2 – Choose the Correct Option

  1. My house is (bigger / biggest) than yours.
  2. Sarah is the (more intelligent / most intelligent) student in the class.
  3. This book is (more interesting / most interesting) than that one.
  4. Mount Everest is the (higher / highest) mountain in the world.
  5. Today is (hotter / hottest) than yesterday.
  6. She is the (younger / youngest) person in the office.

Exercise 3 – Rewrite the Sentences

Use the adjective in parentheses.

Example:
Tom is 1.80m tall. Jack is 1.70m tall. (tall)

Tom is taller than Jack.

  1. A motorcycle is fast. A bicycle is slow. (fast)
  2. Gold is expensive. Silver is cheaper. (expensive)
  3. My suitcase weighs 15 kg. Your suitcase weighs 10 kg. (heavy)
  4. This exercise is difficult. The previous one was easy. (difficult)
  5. Anna studies a lot. Peter studies less. (hard-working)

Exercise 4 – Complete with “as…as”

  1. My sister is __________ tall __________ my mother.
  2. This test is not __________ difficult __________ the last one.
  3. Brazil is not __________ small __________ Uruguay.
  4. John is __________ friendly __________ Mike.
  5. That restaurant is __________ expensive __________ this one.

Exercise 5 – Error Correction

Find and correct the mistakes.

  1. She is more taller than her sister.
  2. This is the most tallest building in town.
  3. My dog is more big than yours.
  4. He is the better player in the team.
  5. This movie is interestinger than the last one.

Exercise 6 – Personal Practice

Write complete sentences about yourself.

  1. Compare yourself with a friend using taller, shorter, older, younger, busier, or another adjective.
  2. Write a sentence using as…as.
  3. Write a sentence using a superlative.
  4. Compare two cities you know.
  5. Compare two movies or TV series you have watched.

Quick Summary

Comparatives

Used to compare two things.

Structure:

  • adjective + -er + than
  • more + adjective + than

Examples:

  • taller than
  • more interesting than

Superlatives

Used to compare three or more things.

Structure:

  • the + adjective + -est
  • the most + adjective

Examples:

  • the tallest
  • the most interesting

Similarities

as + adjective + as

Examples:

  • as tall as
  • as intelligent as

Practice with Music

And now the funniest practice ever! With songs! 🎵Listen and complete.

Watch the video, listen carefully, and complete the lyrics using the correct comparative or superlative forms.

Everyday Greetings and Goodbyes

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Introduction

Greetings are an important part of everyday communication. Knowing how to greet people and say goodbye naturally will help you sound more confident and friendly in English.

In this lesson, you will learn common greetings, responses, and ways to say goodbye in different situations.

1. Everyday Greetings

We usually greet people with:

Hello!

Hi!

Hey!

Hello is the most common greeting.

Hi is slightly more casual.

Hey is informal and often used with friends, family members, or people you know well.

Examples:

  • Hello, Maria!
  • Hi, John!
  • Hey, what’s up?

Note: The word hey can also be used to get someone’s attention.

Examples:

  • Hey, look at this!
  • Hey, wait a minute!

2. Asking How Someone Is

After greeting someone, we often ask how they are doing.

Common Questions

  • How are you?
  • How are you doing?
  • How’s it going?
  • How have you been?

These questions have a similar meaning.

Examples

A: Hi, Sarah! How are you?

B: I’m fine, thanks.

A: Hey! How’s it going?

B: Pretty good!

A: Hello! How have you been?

B: I’ve been great, thanks!

3. Common Responses

Positive Responses

  • I’m fine, thanks.
  • I’m good, thanks.
  • I’m great, thanks!
  • Pretty good!
  • Not bad, thanks.

Useful Tip

Many English speakers say:

“Not bad.”

Even though it sounds negative, it usually means:

“Quite good.”

Example:

A: How’s your day?

B: Not bad!

4. Greeting Friends

When talking to friends or people you know, you may hear:

Informal Questions

  • What’s up?
  • What’s new?
  • What’s happening?
  • What’s going on?

Typical Answers

  • Nothing.
  • Not much.
  • Nothing much.

Example

A: Hey, what’s up?

B: Not much. How about you?

🎧 Listening Practice

Listen carefully to the videos below. Make notes of the phrases and sentences you hear. Pay special attention to pronunciation.

Cultural Note

In many English-speaking countries, people usually do not share a lot of personal information during a brief greeting.

For example:

A: How are you?

B: Good, thanks!

This is often enough.

People generally do not expect a detailed explanation unless they know you well.

5. Other Everyday Greetings

How’s everything?

Used to ask generally how things are going.

Example:

A: Hi! How’s everything?

B: Great, thanks!

Long time no see!

Used when you haven’t seen someone for a long time.

Examples:

  • Long time no see!
  • Hey, long time no see!

How’s your day?

Used to ask about someone’s day.

Example:

A: How’s your day?

B: It’s going well, thanks.

6. Greetings According to the Time of Day

Good morning

Used from early morning until around noon.

Good afternoon

Used after noon until early evening.

Good evening

Used when meeting someone in the evening.

Morning!

A more casual version of “Good morning.”

Example:

A: Morning!

B: Morning!

Goodnight

Used when leaving at night or before going to sleep.

Example:

Goodnight! See you tomorrow.

7. Saying Goodbye

Bye!

The most common informal goodbye.

See ya!

A casual form of “See you.”

See you soon!

Used when you expect to meet again soon.

Hope to see you soon!

A friendly way to end a conversation.

8. Friendly Goodbyes

Take it easy.

Take care.

Take care of yourself.

These expressions show kindness and encourage the other person to look after themselves.

Examples:

A: Bye! Take care!

B: You too!

Quick Reference

Greetings

  • Hello!
  • Hi!
  • Hey!
  • Good morning!
  • Good afternoon!
  • Good evening!
  • Morning!

Asking About Someone

  • How are you?
  • How are you doing?
  • How’s it going?
  • How have you been?
  • How’s everything?
  • How’s your day?

Informal Greetings

  • What’s up?
  • What’s new?
  • What’s happening?
  • What’s going on?

Responses

  • I’m fine, thanks.
  • I’m good, thanks.
  • I’m great, thanks!
  • Pretty good!
  • Not bad, thanks.
  • Nothing much.

Goodbyes

  • Bye!
  • See ya!
  • See you soon!
  • Hope to see you soon!
  • Take it easy!
  • Take care!
  • Take care of yourself!

Practice

Exercise 1 – Match the Greeting

  1. Good morning
  2. Long time no see
  3. What’s up?
  4. Goodnight
  5. How are you?

a. Not much.
b. I’m fine, thanks.
c. Before going to sleep.
d. Early in the day.
e. After not seeing someone for a long time.

Exercise 2 – Complete the Dialogue

A: Hi! __________ you?

B: I’m great, thanks!

A: Hey! What’s up?

B: __________ much.

A: Long time no __________!

B: I know! It’s been months!

A: Bye! Take __________.

B: You too!

Exercise 3 – Write Your Own Answers

  1. How are you today?
  1. What do you usually say when greeting a friend?
  1. What do you usually say when saying goodbye?

Answer Key

Exercise 1

  1. d
  2. e
  3. a
  4. c
  5. b

Exercise 2

  1. How are
  2. Not
  3. see
  4. care

Begin vs Start

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Press start to begin

In English, begin and start often mean the same thing: to begin, to start, or to initiate something.

In many situations, you can use either word without changing the meaning.

Examples

1. A campaign begins / starts

The company started a huge advertising campaign.

The company began a huge advertising campaign.

✅ Both are correct.

2. An exam begins / starts

The exam started at 10 a.m.

The exam began at 10 a.m.

✅ Both are correct.

3. A semester begins / starts

I want to enjoy the last weekend before the semester begins.

I want to enjoy the last weekend before the semester starts.

✅ Both are correct.

When START and BEGIN are NOT interchangeable

Some words naturally combine with start, but not with begin. These common combinations are called collocations (or chunks).

Learning these combinations helps you sound more natural in English.

1. Start the car / Start the engine

🚗 Start the car = ligar o carro

🚗 Start the engine = ligar o motor

Please start the car.

She started the engine and drove away.

❌ Begin the car

❌ Begin the engine

Notice that in these expressions, start means to turn on, not simply to begin.

2. Start a fire

🔥 Start a fire = acender/fazer fogo

You must learn how to start a fire without a match.

Você precisa aprender a acender um fogo sem um fósforo.

❌ Begin a fire

3. Famous expression

At the famous Indianapolis 500 race, the traditional command is:

“Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines!”

🏁 This means: “Senhoras e senhores, liguem seus motores!”

❌ Begin your engines

Quick Reference

ExpressionCorrect?
Start a campaign✅
Begin a campaign✅
Start an exam✅
Begin an exam✅
Start a semester✅
Begin a semester✅
Start the car✅
Begin the car❌
Start the engine✅
Begin the engine❌
Start a fire✅
Begin a fire❌

Pronunciation

Start

/stɑːrt/ Portuguese approximation: “stárt”

Begin

/bɪˈɡɪn/ Portuguese approximation: “bi-GUIN”

Common Collocations with START and BEGIN

Although start and begin are often interchangeable, native speakers tend to prefer certain collocations with one word or the other.

Common Collocations with START

Starting machines, vehicles, and technology

✅ start the car
✅ start the engine
✅ start the truck
✅ start the motorcycle
✅ start the computer
✅ start the machine
✅ start the printer

Examples:

  • Can you start the car?
  • The technician started the machine.

Starting activities and actions

✅ start a conversation
✅ start a discussion
✅ start an argument
✅ start a fight
✅ start a business
✅ start a project
✅ start a company
✅ start a family
✅ start a diet
✅ start exercising
✅ start working
✅ start studying

Examples:

  • She started a successful business.
  • Let’s start a discussion about the topic.

Starting events and processes

✅ start a campaign
✅ start a program
✅ start a meeting
✅ start a class
✅ start a course
✅ start a war
✅ start a revolution
✅ start a trend

Examples:

  • The teacher started the lesson at 8 a.m.
  • The company started a marketing campaign.

Common Collocations with BEGIN

Formal situations

✅ begin a speech
✅ begin a presentation
✅ begin a ceremony
✅ begin negotiations
✅ begin an investigation
✅ begin proceedings
✅ begin an inquiry

Examples:

  • The president began his speech.
  • The police began an investigation.

Academic and professional contexts

✅ begin a course
✅ begin a degree
✅ begin a career
✅ begin a chapter
✅ begin a lesson
✅ begin a training program

Examples:

  • She began her career as a teacher.
  • We will begin a new chapter tomorrow.

Life events and long-term processes

✅ begin a journey
✅ begin a relationship
✅ begin treatment
✅ begin recovery
✅ begin a new life
✅ begin adulthood

Examples:

  • He began his journey across South America.
  • The patient began treatment immediately.

Time Expressions

✅ begin the day
✅ begin the week
✅ begin the month
✅ begin the year
✅ begin the process

Examples:

  • I usually begin the day with a cup of coffee.
  • The new semester begins next month.

Collocations that Strongly Prefer START

These sound natural with start but unusual with begin:

✅ start the car
✅ start the engine
✅ start the computer
✅ start a fire
✅ start a fight
✅ start a rumor
✅ start a business

❌ begin the car
❌ begin the engine
❌ begin a fire

Collocations that Strongly Prefer BEGIN

These are usually more natural with begin, especially in formal English:

✅ begin negotiations
✅ begin proceedings
✅ begin an investigation
✅ begin treatment
✅ begin recovery
✅ begin a speech

Less common:
⚠️ start negotiations
⚠️ start proceedings
⚠️ start treatment

Not wrong, but begin sounds more formal and natural.

Quick Memory Tip

START

Think of:
🚗 Machines
🔥 Fires
💼 Businesses
💬 Conversations
⚡ Actions

BEGIN

Think of:
🎤 Speeches
🎓 Courses
🧳 Journeys
🏥 Treatment
📋 Formal processes

The more formal the context, the more likely native speakers are to choose begin. The more practical, everyday, or mechanical the situation, the more likely they are to choose start.

Practice

Complete with START or BEGIN.

  1. The meeting will ______ at 9 a.m.
  2. Please ______ the car.
  3. Classes ______ next Monday.
  4. We need to ______ a fire before it gets dark.
  5. The concert ______ at 8 p.m.
  6. Can you ______ the engine?

Answers

  1. start / begin
  2. start
  3. start / begin
  4. start
  5. start / begin
  6. start

Tip: When talking about turning something on (car, engine, machine, computer), START is usually the natural choice.

When talking about formal events, activities, or processes, both START and BEGIN are often possible.

Daily Routine II

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In the following two videos, you will learn how to talk about your daily routine by observing Bob’s routine.

Bob will take you along with him for part of his day and explain everything he does using clear and easy-to-understand English. As you watch, you will be exposed to natural vocabulary, useful expressions, and common sentence patterns that native speakers use when talking about their everyday activities.

Build a Vocabulary Log

Build a vocabulary log as you watch the videos. Write down new words, phrases, phrasal verbs, collocations, and useful expressions.

Before You Watch

Think about your own daily routine and answer these questions:

  1. What time do you usually wake up?
  2. What is the first thing you do in the morning?
  3. Do you work, study, or both?
  4. What do you usually do in the evening?
  5. What time do you normally go to bed?

Video 1

Comprehension Questions

  1. What time does Bob start his day?
  2. What is the first thing he does?
  3. What activities does he do before work?
  4. What does he do during the day?
  5. What new words or expressions did you learn?

Video 2

While Watching

Continue taking notes and observe:

  • Additional daily activities
  • Useful expressions
  • Repeated vocabulary
  • Differences between your routine and Bob’s routine

Comprehension Questions

  1. What activities does Bob mention in this video?
  2. Which activities are similar to your routine?
  3. Which activities are different from your routine?
  4. Which phrasal verbs did you hear?
  5. Which collocations did you hear?

Speaking Practice

Answer the questions in complete sentences.

  1. What time do you usually get up?
  2. What do you do after you wake up?
  3. What do you usually have for breakfast?
  4. What do you do during the day?
  5. What do you do after work or school?
  6. What do you usually do in the evening?
  7. What time do you go to bed?

Writing Practice

Write a paragraph (80–120 words) describing your daily routine.

Use:

  • Present Simple
  • Time expressions (first, then, after that, later, finally)
  • At least 3 phrasal verbs
  • At least 3 collocations

Example starters:

  • I usually wake up at…
  • After that, I…
  • Then I…
  • In the evening, I…
  • Before I go to bed, I…

Challenge Activity

Watch both videos again.

Create a table comparing your routine with Bob’s.

Good Evening × Good Night

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Day night

Parts of the Day

Evening

Evening is the period when the sky starts getting dark, usually between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM.

People are generally still awake, working, studying, eating dinner, or socializing during the evening.

Night

Night is the period when it is dark and people are generally relaxing or sleeping.

Night usually begins later in the evening and continues until the early morning hours.

Good Evening

Use “Good evening” to say hello after approximately 6:00 PM.

It is commonly used:

  • at restaurants;
  • in professional situations;
  • in formal conversations;
  • in speeches and presentations.

Examples

  • “Good evening, do you have a reservation?” (at a restaurant)
  • “Good evening, Tom. How are you?” (to a colleague)
  • “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen…” (in a speech)

Important

In general, “good evening” sounds a little more formal.

Friends do not usually say “good evening” to each other. They are more likely to say:

  • “Hi”
  • “Hello”
  • “What’s up?”
  • “Hey”

Good Night

Use “Good night” to say goodbye, especially:

  • when leaving to go home;
  • when ending a conversation late at night;
  • before going to bed.

Family members commonly say “good night” before sleeping.

Examples

  • “Good night, Janet. See you tomorrow.”
  • “Good night, mom. I’m going to bed.”

Important Difference

ExpressionFunctionMeaning
Good eveningGreeting“Olá / Boa noite”
Good nightFarewell“Tchau / Boa noite”

Simple Rule:

  • Good evening = hello
  • Good night = goodbye

Authentic Examples

Opening of a Television Program (Greeting)

“Hello, good evening and welcome: The David Frost story. Sir David Frost is famous the world over for his interviews with presidents and prime ministers, but his journalistic side is just one part of his repertoire.” (BBC)

Translation:

“Olá, boa noite e sejam bem-vindos: A história de David Frost. Sir David Frost é internacionalmente conhecido por suas entrevistas com presidentes e primeiros-ministros, mas o jornalismo é apenas uma de suas várias facetas.”

In this example, good evening is used to welcome the audience at the beginning of the program.

End of a Television Program (Farewell)

“Thank you so much to all of our guests, to you at home for being with us. We’ll see you tomorrow night, 8:00 sharp Eastern. Good night, everybody.” (CNN)

Translation:

“Agradeço aos convidados pela presença e a vocês em casa pela audiência. Até amanhã às 20h em ponto (no horário da costa leste). Boa noite a todos.”

In this example, good night is used to say goodbye at the end of the program.

Practice

Complete with “good evening” or “good night”

  1. ____________, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to our event.
  2. I’m going to bed now. ____________!
  3. ____________, sir. Do you have a reservation?
  4. See you tomorrow. ____________!
  5. ____________, everyone, and welcome to the show.

Extra Tip

Many Brazilian students translate both expressions simply as “boa noite”, but in English the situation is important:

  • If you are arriving → Good evening
  • If you are leaving or going to sleep → Good night
good-evening-ou-good-night