5. Comparison of adjectives
The comparative and superlative forms of adjectives can be formed in four different ways.
1. Usually comparative and superlative forms are formed by adding the inflectional endings -are and -ast to the end of the word.
positive
vanlig
trött
glad
söt
comparative
vanligare
tröttare
gladare
sötare
superlative
vanligast
tröttast
gladast
sötast
2. A number of adjectives require the -re and -st endings in their shorter forms. In these cases, the vowel in the original form of the adjective may also change slightly.
positive
hög
låg
lång
stor
comparative
högre
lägre
längre
större
superlative
högst
lägst
längst
störst
3. A small number of adjectives using these shorter endings also require a complete change in the original word form.
positive
god
gammal
liten
dålig
comparative
bättre
äldre
mindre
sämre
superlative
bäst
äldst
minst
sämst
4. If the adjective ends with -isk or is in the participial form (takes endings such as –ande, –ende and –ad), the comparative and superlative forms are formed with the help of mera and mest.
positive
lovande
praktisk
lyckad
comparative
mera lovande
mera praktisk
mera lyckad
superlative
mest lovande
mest praktisk
mest lyckad
EXAMPLES:
Camilla är en bättre läkare än Martina. Camilla is a better doctor than Martina.
John är lika duktig som Camilla. John is as skillful as Camilla.
Han är också äldst av dem. He is also the oldest of them.