Reading and Writing · 07 · Grammar Foundations
Adjectives II
Notes
Key points
- Comparative (-er / more) for two; superlative (-est / most) for three or more.
- Short words take -er/-est; long words take more/most — never both.
- Irregular: good → better → best; bad → worse → worst.
- Coordinate adjectives (each describes the noun alone) take a comma: a long, difficult climb.
- Stacked adjectives take no comma: three old stone bridges.
- Compound adjective before a noun takes a hyphen: a well-known author.
Rules
Two things: -er or more. Three or more: -est or most.
Of the two samples, the second was larger.
Of the two samples, the second was largest.
Don't double up: no “more” with an -er word.
The new model is faster.
The new model is more faster.
Comma if “and” fits between adjectives; never before the noun.
It was a long, difficult climb.
It was a long, difficult, climb.
Common traps
- Using “most” or -est when only two things are compared.
- Putting a comma between the last adjective and its noun.
SAT tip
Comma test: swap the adjectives or put “and” between them. Still sounds right? Use a comma.
Test yourself
10 official SAT questions on Adjectives II, easiest first.