How to Form Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

Khan Academy

This video provides a clear, step-by-step guide on how to form comparative and superlative adjectives in English. Using a digital whiteboard, the narrator constructs a reference table that categorizes adjectives based on their spelling and syllable count—such as one-syllable words ending in 'e', words ending in 'y', and longer multi-syllable words. Specific spelling rules, like doubling consonants or changing 'y' to 'i', are explained visually and phonetically. The content covers five distinct categories of adjectives: (1) one syllable ending in 'e' (cute); (2) one syllable with one vowel and one consonant (big); (3) short words with two vowels or ending in two consonants (sweet, short); (4) two-syllable words ending in 'y' (shiny); and (5) long words (magnificent). The video concludes with a humorous application of these rules to a nonsense word, "blarfy," demonstrating how internalizing these patterns allows students to conjugate even unfamiliar vocabulary. This resource is highly valuable for English Language Arts and ESL classrooms. It breaks down complex spelling conventions into manageable rules, making it an excellent tool for introducing or reviewing adjective morphology. Teachers can use the final "blarfy" segment to test students' ability to transfer these rules to new or made-up words, fostering a deeper understanding of English structural patterns rather than just rote memorization.