comparatives and superlatives: English ESL worksheets pdf & doc - Free Printable

Here are the correct forms of the adjectives to fill in the blanks.

Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Identify the type of comparison: Look for clues like "than" (comparative), "the... in the world" (superlative), or "by far/as... as" structures.
2. Check the adjective length: Short adjectives (1 syllable) usually take *-er/-est*. Long adjectives (2+ syllables) usually take *more/most*. Some are irregular (good/better/best, bad/worse/worst).
3. Apply spelling rules: Double the final consonant for short words ending in CVC (big -> bigger). Change 'y' to 'i' if it ends in a consonant + y (happy -> happier).

Solving the items:
1. "by far" implies superlative. Attractive is long -> *the most attractive*.
2. Comparison implied (earlier than expected). Early ends in y -> *earlier*.
3. Superlative structure ("person that I know"). Hard-working is compound/long -> *the hardest-working* (or *the most hard-working*).
4. Superlative ("in the world"). Rich is short -> *the richest*.
5. Parallel comparatives. Fast -> *faster*. Safe -> *safer*.
6. Comparison between two people. Good-looking is long -> *better-looking* (irregular 'good') or *more good-looking*. *Better-looking* is more natural.
7. "Much" emphasizes comparative. Old -> *older* (or *elder* for family, but older is safer generally).
8. Superlative ("in the world"). Bad is irregular -> *the worst*.
9. Comparing two brothers. Short -> *shorter*, *fatter* (double t).
10. Comparison between two novels. Exciting is long -> *more exciting*.
11. Distance comparison. Far is irregular -> *farther/further*. Moscow is also far -> *farther/further*.
12. Comparison. Important is long -> *more important*.
13. "One of..." implies superlative group. Lucky ends in y -> *the luckiest*.
14. Comparison. Difficult is long -> *more difficult*.
15. "Ever read" implies superlative. Romantic is long -> *the most romantic*.
16. Comparison within family. Young -> *younger*.
17. Comparative with "than". Bad is irregular -> *worse*. Good is irregular -> *better*.
18. Comparison. Delicious is long -> *more delicious*.
19. Comparison. Fashionable is long -> *more fashionable*.
20. "I've ever met" implies superlative. Helpful is long -> *the most helpful*.
21. "This year" implies comparison to other months. Hot doubles t -> *the hottest*.
22. Superlative ("in the world"). High -> *the highest*.
23. Comparison. Strong -> *stronger*.
24. Superlative ("in the world"). Handsome -> *the most handsome* (or *handsomest*).
25. Comparison between two. Thin doubles n -> *thinner*.
26. Modifying a verb (drive). Needs adverb form. Careful -> *more carefully*.
27. Comparison. Complicated is long -> *more complicated*.
28. Comparison. Big doubles g -> *bigger*.
29. Comparison. Healthy ends in y -> *healthier*.
30. Superlative ("in the class"). Talkative is long -> *the most talkative*.
31. Superlative ("in the world"). Heavy ends in y -> *the heaviest*.
32. Comparison among children (group). Lazy ends in y -> *the laziest*. (Note: "of her children" implies a group, so superlative is best, though comparative "lazier" is sometimes accepted if comparing only two. Given "children" plural, superlative is standard).
33. Comparison. Dangerous is long -> *more dangerous*.
34. "One of..." implies superlative group. Famous is long -> *the most famous*.
35. Comparison. Nice adds d -> *nicer*.

Final Answer:
1. the most attractive
2. earlier
3. the hardest-working
4. the richest
5. faster / safer
6. better-looking
7. older
8. the worst
9. shorter / fatter
10. more exciting
11. farther (or further) / farther (or further)
12. more important
13. the luckiest
14. more difficult
15. the most romantic
16. younger
17. worse / better
18. more delicious
19. more fashionable
20. the most helpful
21. the hottest
22. the highest
23. stronger
24. the most handsome
25. thinner
26. more carefully
27. more complicated
28. bigger
29. healthier
30. the most talkative
31. the heaviest
32. the laziest
33. more dangerous
34. the most famous
35. nicer