Comparatives and Superlatives (Los comparativos y superlativos)

Al igual que en espaol, cuando queremos hacer comparaciones contrastamos cualidades o atributos por medio de adjetivos en sus diversos grados.

Grades of Adjectives (Grados de adjetivos)

El grado positivo es la cualidad en el grado ms simple. Ejemplos:

Juan runs fast.

Juan runs fast. (Juan corre rpido.)Angela's room is clean.

Angela's room is clean. (La habitacin de Angela est limpia.)I am tall.

I am tall. (Soy alto.)New York is big.

New York is big. (Nueva York es grande.)

fast, hard, smart, pretty, clean, large, small, old, easy...

El grado comparativo puede ser de superioridad, inferioridad o igualidad. Para comparativos de superioridad o inferioridad, el adjetivo es seguido por "than". Para comparativos de inferioridad, usamos "not as...as" o "less" delante del adjetivo. Y para comparativos de igualidad, el adjetivo va entre "as...as". Ejemplos:

Comparativos de superioridad

Juan runs faster than Mark.

Juan runs faster than Mark. (Juan corre ms rpido que Mark.)Angela's room is cleaner than Sue's.

Angela's room is cleaner than Sue's. (La habitacin de Angela est ms limpia que la de Sue.)I am taller than Beth.

I am taller than Beth. (Soy ms alto que Beth.)New York is bigger than Los Angeles.

New York is bigger than Los Angeles. (Nueva York es ms grandeque Los Angeles.)

Comparativos de inferioridad

Mark doesn't run as fast as Juan.

Mark doesn't run as fast (slower) as Juan. (Mark no corre tan rpido como Juan.)Sue's room is not as clean as Angela's.

Sue's room is not as clean (dirtier) as Angela's. (La habitacin de Sue no es tan limpia como la de Angela.)Beth is not as tall as me.

Beth is not as tall (shorter) as me. (Beth no es tan alta como yo.)Los Angeles is not as big as New York.

Los Angeles is not as big (smaller) as New York. (Los Angeles no es tan grande como Nueva York.)

Comparativos de igualidad

Mark is as fast as Juan.

Mark is as fast as Juan. (Mark corre tan rpido como Juan.)Sue's room is as clean as Angela's.

Sue's room is as clean as Angela's. (La habitacin de Sue es tan limpia como la de Angela.)Beth is as tall as I am.

Beth is as tall as I am. (Beth es tan alta como yo.)Los Angeles is as big as New York.

Los Angeles is as big as New York. (Los Angeles es tan grande como Nueva York.) Nota: Podemos modificar un comparativo con un cuantificador (much, a lot, a little, slightly...).Ejemplos:

Juan runs a lot faster than Mark.

Juan runs a lot faster than Mark. (Juan corre mucho ms rpido que Mark.)I am slightly taller than Beth.

I am slightly taller than Beth. (Soy un poco ms alta que Beth.)

El grado superlativo denota la calidad en el grado ms alto y como espanol, se usa "the" delante del adjetivo. Ejemplos:

Juan is the fastest.

Juan is the fastest. (Juan es el ms rpido.)Angela's room is the cleanest.

Angela'a room is the cleanest. (La habitacin de Angela es la ms limpia.)I am the tallest.

I am the tallest. (Soy el ms alto.)New York is the biggest city in the United States.

New York is the biggest city in the United States. (Nueva York el la cuidad ms grande de los Estados Unidos.)

Ejemplos:

His smartest student is Lisa.

His smartest student is Lisa. (Su estudiante ms lista es Lisa.)New York is coldest in January.

New York is coldest in January. (Nueva York es ms frio en enero.)

Nota: Si el adjetivo es posesivo, no se usa "the". Adems no se usa "the" si comparamos algo con si mismo.

Form (Forma)Hay unas reglas para formar el comparativo y superlativo.

Para adjetivos de una slaba:

ComparativoSuperlativo

aade: "-er" (faster faster)aade: "-est" (fastest fastest)

Para adjetivos de una slaba que terminan en "e":

ComparativoSuperlativo

aade: "-r" (nicer nicer)aade: "-st" (nicest nicest)

Para adjetivos de una slaba que terminan en constanante + vocal + constanante:

ComparativoSuperlativo

aade: constanante + "er" (hotter hotter)aade: constanante + "-est" (hottest hottest)

Para adjetivos de dos silabas que terminan en "y":

ComparativoSuperlativo

sustituye "y" por: "-ier" (funnier funnier)sustituye "y" por: "-iest" (funniest funniest)

Para adjetivos de dos o ms silabas:

ComparativoSuperlativo

aade: "more"/"less" (more beautiful, less beautiful more beautiful)aade "the most"/"the least": (the most beautiful, the least beautiful the most beautiful)

Adjetivos irregulares:

AdjetivoComparativoSuperlativo

good goodbetter betterbest best

bad badworse worseworst worst

far farfurther furtherfurthest furthest

List of Comparatives and Superlatives (Lista de comparativos y superlativos)

Lista de los adjetivos ms comunes, con su forma comparativa y superlativa.AdjetivoComparativoSuperlativoEspaol

angryangrierangriestenfadado, enojado

badworseworstmalo

bigbiggerbiggestgrande

bitterbittererbitterestamargo, resentido, agrio

blackblackerblackestnegro

blandblanderblandestsoso

bloodybloodierbloodiestsanguinolento

bluebluerbluestdeprimido

boldbolderboldestaudaz

bossybossierbossiestmandn

bravebraverbravestvaliente

briefbrieferbriefestbreve

brightbrighterbrightestbrillante, luminoso

broadbroaderbroadestancho, amplio

busybusierbusiestocupado, ajetreado

calmcalmercalmesttranquilo

cheapcheapcheaperbarato

chewychewierchewiestcorreoso, gomoso

chubbychubbierchubbiestrechoncho

classyclassierclassiestelegante

cleancleanercleanestlimpio, sano

clearclearclearestclaro, despejado

clevercleverercleverestlisto, ingenioso

closecloserclosestcerca

cloudycloudiercloudiestnubiado

clumsyclumsierclumsiesttorpe

coarsecoarsercoarsestspero, grosero

coldcoldercoldestfro

coolcoolercoolestfresco

crazycraziercraziestloco

creamycreamiercreamiestcremoso

creepycreepiercreepiestespeluznante, repugnante

crispycrispiercrispiestcrujiente

cruelcruelercruelestcruel

crunchycrunchiercrunchiestcrujiente

curlycurlycurliestrizado, crespo, quebrado

curvycurviercurviestcurvo

cutecutercutestmono

dampdamperdampesthmedo

darkdarkerdarkestoscuro, moreno

deadlydeadlierdeadliestmortal, mortfero

deepdeeperdeepestprofundo

densedenserdensestdenso

dirtydirtierdirtiestsucio

drydrierdriestseco

dulldullerdullestaburrido, soso, tonto, romo

dumbdumberdumbestestpido

dustydustierdustiestpolvoriento

earlyearlierearliestpronto, temprano

easyeasiereasiestfacl

faintfainterfaintestleve, tenue, vago, ligero

fairfairerfairestclaro, sereno, recto, justo

fancyfancierfanciestlujoso

farfurther/fartherfurthest/farthestlejos, distante

fastfasterfastestrpido

fatfatterfattestgordo

fewfewerfewestpocos

fiercefiercerfiercestfiero, encarnizado

filthyfilthierfilthiestaaqueroso, obsceno

finefinerfinestfino

firmfirmerfirmestfirme, estricto

fitfitterfittestapto, en forma

flakyflakierflakiestdesconchado

flatflatterflattestllano, liso, plano

freshfresherfreshestfresco, nuevo, original

friendlyfriendlierfriendliestagradable, amable, amistoso

fullfullerfullestlleno, completo

funnyfunnierfunniestgracioso, curioso, raro

gentlegentlergentlesttierno, afectuoso, suave

gloomygloomiergloomiestoscuro, abatido, decado

goodbetterbestbueno

grandgrandergrandestgrandioso, ambicioso, impotente

gravegravergravestgrave

greasygreasiergreasiestgrasiento

greatgreatergreatestgrande, genial

greedygreediergreediestgoloso, codicioso, vido

grossgrossergrossestasqueroso, grosero, craso

guiltyguilterguiltiestculpable

hairyhairierhairiestvelludo, peludo

handyhandierhandiestprctivo, til, habilidoso, maoso

happyhappierhappiestfeliz, contento, alegre

hardharderhardestduro, difcil

harshharsherharshestspero, duro

healthyhealthierhealthiestsano, saludable

heavyheavierheaviestpesado, grueso, fuerte, duro

highhigherhighestalto, elevado, agudo

hiphipperhippestmoderno

hothotterhottestcaliente, caluroso, picante

humblehumblerhumblesthumilde

hungryhungrierhungriesthambriento

icyiciericiesthelado, fro

itchyitchieritchiestpica

juicyjuicierjuiciestjugoso, zumoso, suculento

kindkinderkindestamable, benvolo, carioso

largelargerlargestgrande

latelaterlatesttarde, restrasado, reciente

lazylazierlaziestperezoso

lightlighterlightestligero, claro

likelylikelierlikeliestprobable

littlelittlerlittlestpequeo, poco

livelylivelierliveliestanimado, vivo

lonelylonlierlonliestsolitario

longlongerlongestlargo

loudlouderloudestfuerte, alto

lovelylovelierloveliestprecioso, bello, lindo

lowlowerlowestbajo

madmaddermaddestenfadado, enojado, loco

meanmeanermeanestmalo, mezquino, tacao

messymessiermessiestsucio, desordenado, desastroso

mildmildermildestafable, suave, leve

moistmoistermoistesthmedo

narrownarrowernarrowestestrecho, escaso

nastynastiernastiestasqueroso, desagradable

naughtynaughtiernaughtiestmalo, travieso, picante

nearnearernearestcercano, prximo

neatneaterneatestordenado, aseado, pulcro

needyneedierneediestnecesitado

newnewernewestnuevo, fresco, reciente, moderno

nicenicernicestsimpatico, agradable, bueno

noisynoisiernoisiestruidoso, clamaroso

oddodderoddestraro, extrao

oilyoilieroiliestgrasiento, aceitoso

oldolder/elderoldest/eldestviejo, anciano, antiguo

plainplainerplainestclaro, sencillo

politepoliterpolitesteducado, corts

poorpoorerpoorestpobre

prettyprettierprettiestbonito, lindo, hermoso

proudprouderproudestorgulloso, soberbio, digno

purepurerpurestpuro

quickquickerquickestrpido

quietquieterquietesttranquillo, silencioso

rarerarerrarestraro

rawrawerrawestcrudo, agrietado

richricherrichestrico, abundante

riperiperripestmaduro, curado

riskyriskierriskiestarriesgado, peligroso

roomyroomierroomiestespacioso

roughrougherroughestspero, tosco, bruto, ronco

ruderuderrudestmaleducado, grosero, tosco

rustyrustierrustiestoxidado

sadsaddersaddesttriste, lamentable, penoso

safesafersafestseguro

saltysaltiersaltiestsalado

sanesanersanestcuerdo, sensato

scaryscarierscariestespantoso, asustadizo

shallowshallowershallowestsuperficial, poco profundo

sharpsharpersharpestafilado, cerrado, agudo

shinyshiniershiniestbrillante, reluciente

shortshortershortestcorto, bajo, chaparro

shyshyershyesttmido

sillysilliersilliesttonto

simplesimplersimplestsencillo, simple, facl

sinceresincerersincerestsincero, genuino

skinnyskinnierskinniestflaco

sleepysleepiersleepiestadormilado, sooliento

slimslimmerslimmestdelgado, fino

slimyslimierslimiestviscoso, pegajoso, empalagoso

slowslowerslowestlento

smallsmallersmallestpequeo

smartsmartersmartestlisto, inteligente, agudo

smellysmelliersmelliestapestoso

smokysmokiersmokiesthumeante, ahumado

smoothsmoothersmoothestliso, suave, llano, fluido

softsoftersoftestblando, suave

soonsoonersoonestpronto

soresorersorestdolorido

sorrysorriersorriestlamentable

soursourersourestagrio, cido

spicyspicierspiciestpicante, especiado, sazonado

steepsteepersteepestempinado, pronunciado

stingystingierstingiesttacao, rcano, raqutico

strangestrangerstrangestraro, extrao, desconocido

strictstricterstrictestestricto, rgido

strongstrongerstrongestfuerte, slido, intenso, marcado

sunnysunniersunniestsoleado, radiante

sweatysweatiersweatiestsudoroso

sweetsweetersweetestdulce

talltallertallestalto

tantannertannestbronceado, moreno

tastytastiertastiestrico, sabroso, apetitoso

thickthickerthickestgrueso, denso, espeso, poblado

thinthinnerthinnestdelgado, fino

thirstythirstierthirstiestsediento

tinytiniertiniestdiminuto, minsculo

toughtoughertoughestfuerte, resistente, duro, difcil

truetruertruestcierto, verdadero, leal, fiel

uglyuglierugliestfeo

warmwarmerwarmestcaliente, templado, clido

weakweakerweakestdbil, flojo

wealthywealthierwealthiestrico, pudiente

weirdweirderweirdestraro, extrao

wetwetterwettestmojado, hmedo, lluvioso

widewiderwidestancho, amplio, extenso

wildwilderwildestsalvaje, silvestre, descontrolado

windywindierwindiestventoso

wisewiserwisestsabio, sensato, prudente

worldlyworldlierworldliestmundano, terreno

worthyworthierworthiestvirtuoso, digno

youngyoungeryoungesjoven

Like / as (Como)

"Like" y "as" a menudo se confunden en ingls. Ambos se pueden utilizar para hacer comparaciones o hablar de similitudes. Es muy comn en ingls americano utilizar "like" en lugar de "as". Sin embargo, es generalmente considerado informal utilizarlo en esta forma. La siguiente es una explicacin de los diversos usos de estas dos palabras.Like (Como)Uses (Usos)"Like" es una preposicin" que significa "parecido a" o "lo mismo de". No se puede utilizar "as" de este modo. Como una preposicin, "like" est seguida por un sustantivo o un pronombre. Estructura verbo + "like" + sustantivo/pronombreEjemplos:

She dances like a professinal.She dances like a professional. (Baila como una profesional.)

Like me, my friend John loves the cinema.Like me, my friend John loves the cinema. (Como yo, a mi amigo John le encanta el cine.)

Michael speaks English like a native.Michael speaks English like a native. (Michael habla ingls como un nativo.)

Tambin, se utiliza "like" para decir que algo es tpico de alguien. Ejemplos:

It's so like Ben to be late.It's so like Ben to be late. (Es tan tpico de Ben llegar tarde.)

It's just like Helen to laugh in uncomfortable situations.It's just like Helen to laugh in uncomfortable situations. (Es tan tpico de Helen rer en situaciones incmodas.)

Cuando utiliza "like" con el verbo "look" significa "parecer" or "parecerse". Ejemplos:

I look like my mother.I look like my mother. (Me parezco a mi madre.)

It looks like it is going to rain.It looks like it is going to rain. (Parece que va a llover.)

He looks like he hasn't slept in weeks.He looks like he hasn't slept in weeks. (l parece como que no ha dormido en semanas.)

Tambin utilizamos "like" para presentar ejemplos. Ejemplos:

I play many sports like football, basketball and tennis.I play many sports like football, basketball and tennis. (**** muchos deportes como ftbol, baloncesto y tenis.)

There are many things we can do to protect the environment, like recycling or using renewable energy sources.There are many things we can do to protect the environment, like recycling or using renewable energy sources. (Hay muchas cosas que podemos hacer para proteger el medio ambiente, como reciclar o utilizar fuentes de energa renovables.)

Some people, like my friend Carol, don't like to travel.Some people, like my friend Carol, don't like to travel. (Algunas personas, como mi amiga Carol, no le gusta viajar.)

As (Como)Uses (Usos)"As" significa "en la misma manera" o "en la misma condicin de". Al diferencia de "like", "as" est seguido por un sujeto y un verbo. Ejemplos:

She worked hard on the project, as she always does.She worked hard on the project, as she always does. (Trabaj duramente en el proyecto, como lo hace siempre.)

Nobody paints as Picasso did.Nobody paints as Picasso did. (Nadie pinta como Picasso lo hizo.)

Estructura "as" + sujeto + verbo

Se utiliza "as" en frases comparativas. Ejemplos:

John can run as fast as Peter.John can run as fast as Peter. (John puede correr tan rpido como Peter.)

My dad doesn't have as much energy as he used to have.My dad doesn't have as much energy as he used to have. (Mi padre no tiene tanta energa como sola tener.)

Como "like", se usa "such as" para presentar ejemplos. Ejemplos:

I play many sports, such as football, basketball and tennis.I play many sports, such as football, basketball and tennis. (**** a muchos deportes como el ftbol, baloncesto y tenis.)

There are many things we can do to protect the environment, such as recycling or using renewable energy sources.There are many things we can do to protect the environment, such as recycling or using renewable energy sources. (Hay muchas cosas que podemos hacer para proteger el medio ambiente, como reciclar o utilizar fuentes de energa renovables.)

Some people, such as my friend Carol, don't like to travel.Some people, such as my friend Carol, don't like to travel. (Algunas personas, como a mi amiga Carol, no les gusta viajar.)

Cuando sea una preposicin, "as" significa el papel o profesin de algo o alguien. Ejemplos:

She started working as a teacher 5 years ago.She started working as a teacher 5 years ago. (Empez a trabajar como profesor hace 5 aos.)

We used to live here, but now we are using the apartment as a painting studio.We used to live here, but now we are using the apartment as a painting studio. (Vivamos aqu antes, pero ahora estamos utilizando el piso como un estudio de pintura.)

"As" can be used as a conjunction or a preposition."As" can be used as a conjunction or a preposition. ("Como" puede ser usado como una conjuncin o una preposicin.)

Nota: Ten cuidado, el uso de uno sobre otro puede cambiar el sentido.Ejemplos:

As your teacher, I suggest you study more.As your teacher, I suggest you study more. [Significa: I am your teacher]

Like your teacher, I suggest you study more.Like your teacher, I suggest you study more. [Significa: I agree with your teacher, we have a similar opinion]

Se utiliza "as" en algunas expresiones. Ejemplos:

As you know, this is not the first time your son has been a problem in class.As you know, this is not the first time your son has been a problem in class. (Como ya sabe, esto no es la primera vez que su hijo ha sido un problema en clase.)

As expected, Ben was late for class again today.As expected, Ben was late for class again today. (Como se esperaba, Ben lleg de nuevo tarde a clase hoy.)

As I said, I hope this is the last time you are late.As I said, I hope this is the last time you are late. (Como ya he dicho, espero que esta sea la ltima vez que llegas tarde.)

Here is the report, as requested.Here is the report, as requested. (Aqu est el informe, como solicit.)

Leccin gramtica: Comparatives and Superlatives

My mother is older than my father.a) oldb) olderc) the oldestd) the oldWhat is the funniest movie you have ever seen?a) funnyb) funnierc) the funniestd) the funnyThat movie was bad, but it wasn't the worst I have ever seen.a) baddestb) worsestc) worsed) the worstRachel's hair is not as long as Sarah's.a) longb) longerc) the longestd) more longYesterday's exam was more difficult than the one last month.a) difficultb) difficulterc) the difficultestd) more difficult

Peter is as fast as Alex.a) fastb) fasterc) the fastestd) the fasterI think Mary is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.a) beautifulb) the most beautifulc) the beautifulestd) the beautifulerHer room is only a little bit bigger than mine.a) biggerb) the biggerc) bigd) he biggestHe is happiest when he is playing football.a) the happierb) happiestc) the happyd) happyestMichael's house is further from the train than Betty's.a) farb) the furthestc) the fartherd) further

Leccin gramtica: Like / asHoward sings with as much confidence as a professional.a) as, asHoward sings like a professional.a) likeIt is just like Jenny to forget my birthday.a) likePeter's work as a consultant keeps him very busy.a) asAs your boss, I think you need to work harder. [= I am your boss]a) AsLike your boss, I think you need to work harder. [= I am not your boss]a) LikeVanessa won the race, as expected.a) asYou're bedroom is a mess. It's like a bomb exploded in there!a) likeIt looks like it's going to be another beautiful day.a) likeHe blamed everyone else for his mistakes as he always does.a) as

Examples:Comparatives an Superlatives-Camila dance good faster than Sofa .(Camila baila mejor y rpido que Sofa).-Carlo's car is cleaner than Luisa's.(El carro de Carlos est ms limpio)-Jos doesn't eat pizza as Julin .(Jos no come pizzas como Julin.)-Mara is as beautiful as i am .(Mara es tan bella como yo )Iam the smallest .(Soy el ms pequeo.)

Like /as (Como)-She swim like a professional.(Nada como una profesional.)- I loook my father.(Me parezco a mi padre.)-It looks like it is going to cold.(Parece que va a ser calor.)-It's so loke Max to be late.(ES tan tpico de Max llegar tarde.)-Karol cooks a soup of chicken like a chef.(Karol cocina sopa de pollo como una chef.)