1. -est
-er
Comparative Endings
-er
-est

2. Comparative Endings
Add –er to a word to compare two people, places, things, or animals
Add –est to a word to compare three or more people, places, things, or animals.
Don’t forget that some words will be spelled differently when endings are added.

3. tall taller tall Vowel & 2 consonants! The man is taller than the boy.
How does the word end?
tall
Vowel & 2 consonants!
This is the way the end must be . . .
Just add –er.
taller
The man is taller than the boy.

4. dry driest dry Consonant – Y! How does the word end?
This is the way the end must be . . .
Change the Y to an I and add –est!
driest
The desert is the driest place on Earth.

5. silly silliest silly Consonant – Y! How does the word end?
This is the way the end must be . . .
Change the Y to an I and add –est!
silliest
He is the silliest
clown of all!

6. funny funnier funny Consonant – Y! How does the word end?
This is the way the end must be . . .
Change the Y to an I and add –er!
funnier
My older brother is funnier
than my younger brother.

7. small small smallest Vowel & 2 consonants! How does the word end?
This is the way the end must be . . .
Just add –est.
smallest
My parakeet is the smallest pet I own.

8. fat fatter fat Short vowel & 1 consonant! How does the word end?
This is the way the end must be . . .
See a short vowel and a consonant too,
here’s the only thing to do:
DOUBLE the consonant, add –er.
fatter
The fatter puppy eats the
most food.

9. Comparative Endings The End
Add –er to a word to compare two people, places, things, or animals
Add –est to a word to compare three or more people, places, things, or animals.
Don’t forget about spelling changes when endings are added.
The End