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Lesson Plan June 2 2023

Topic: Comparatives & Superlatives

In this lesson we will learn how to form and use the comparative and superlative forms of adjectives.

Section A

Words with one syllable

• Comparative form; add -er

  • cheap —> cheaper

  • hard —> harder

• Superlative form; add -est

  • cheap —> cheapest

  • hard —> hardest

Two-syllable words ending in -y

• Comparative form; change -y to -ier

  • early —> earlier

  • lucky —> luckier

• Superlative form; change -y to -iest

  • early —> earliest

  • lucky —> luckiest

Two or more syllables

• Comparative form; use more …

  • expensive —> more expensive

  • boring —> more boring

• Superlative form; use most …

  • expensive —> most expensive

  • boring —> most boring

Section B

After comparatives, you can use than.

• The bus is cheaper than the train.

Before comparative forms, you can use much / a lot / far (= a lot) / a bit / a little / slightly

• Taking a plane is much more expensive than the train.

• Canada is far bigger than Mexico.

We usually use the before superlative forms.

• Taking a plane is the fastest option.

• He is one of the most interesting people I know.

• The church is very old. It’s the oldest building in town. (= it is older than all the other buildings)

• What is the longest river in the world?

• Money is important, but it isn’t the most important thing in life.

• Excuse me, where the nearest bank?

We can use a superlative form without a noun, if that noun has been mentioned already in the sentence.

• Luke is a good player, but he isn’t the best in the team. (the best = the best player)

• The film was very bad. I think it’s the worst I’ve ever seen. (the worst = the worst film)

• A: What is the most unusual thing you've ever eaten?
  B: The most unusual was probably bee larvae.

Lesson Notes

• Take one’s time

• Please, take your time.

• He took his time to clean the yard properly.

• The rain is coming down hard, and the wind is picking up too.

• That might have been one of the worst experiences of my life. (Experience is a countable noun)

Compare Of and In

• After superlatives we normally use in with places

• What’s the longest river in the world? (NOT of the world)

• We had an excellent room. It was one of the best in the hotel. (NOT of the hotel)

• We also use in for organizations and groups of people

• Who is the youngest student in the class?

• She’s one of the best players in the team. (“on the team” is also possible)

• For a period of time, we normally use of

• Yesterday was the hottest day of the year.

• What was the happiest day of your life?

Compare Ache and Sore

• Type of pain

• Ache refers to a continuous, dull pain

• Sore refers to tenderness, discomfort, or pain in a specific area.

• Cause

• Ache can result from various factors like stress, illness, or prolonged activity

• Soreness typically arises from physical exertion, injury, or inflammation.

• Location

• Ache can be used for any body part

• Sore is usually associated with specific areas like muscles, throat, or joints.

• "My head aches after studying for too long.” (Verb)

• "His toothache is bothering him a lot.” (Noun)

• "Her legs started to ache after running a marathon.” (Verb)

• "I have a sore throat, so I can't speak loudly.” (Adjective)

• "His muscles are sore after lifting heavy weights at the gym. (Adjective)

• "Her feet are sore from walking all day in high heels.” (Adjective)

• "After playing soccer for hours, I felt a lot of soreness in my legs the next day.” (Noun)