Comparative and Superlative Forms
English changes adjective forms; Hindi adds ज़्यादा/सबसे without changing the adjective
Category: Adjectives
The Rule
Short adjectives: -er/-est (tall/taller/tallest). Long adjectives: more/most (beautiful/more beautiful/most beautiful). Irregulars: good/better/best. Hindi: ज़्यादा + adj / सबसे + adj — adjective never changes.
Why This Matters
Hindi: 'ज़्यादा अच्छा' (more good), 'सबसे अच्छा' (most good). English: 'better' and 'best' — the adjective itself changes. Hindi speakers produce 'more good' or 'most tall' because Hindi's pattern (add modifier, keep adjective unchanged) transfers incorrectly.
Examples
• She is taller than me. — "वह मुझसे लंबी है।" [tall + -er (NOT 'more tall')] • This is the most beautiful city. — "यह सबसे सुंदर शहर है।" [Long adjective: most + beautiful] • He is better at math than me. — "वह मुझसे गणित में बेहतर है।" [Irregular: good→better (NOT 'more good')]
Common Mistakes
❌ She is more tall than him. ✅ She is taller than him. → One-syllable adjectives use -er. 'More' is for long adjectives only. ❌ This is the most good option. ✅ This is the best option. → Good→better→best is irregular. Never say 'more good' or 'most good'.
Quick Tip
1 syllable → -er/-est. 3+ syllables → more/most. 2 syllables → often -er (happy→happier) but sometimes more (careful→more careful). Irregulars: good/better/best, bad/worse/worst.
1 syllable → -er/-est. 3+ syllables → more/most. 2 syllables → often -er (happy→happier) but sometimes more (careful→more careful). Irregulars: good/better/best, bad/worse/worst.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: She is more tall than him. → Correct: She is taller than him.. One-syllable adjectives use -er. 'More' is for long adjectives only.
Incorrect: This is the most good option. → Correct: This is the best option.. Good→better→best is irregular. Never say 'more good' or 'most good'.
Quiz
Which is correct?