Words ending in –er and -est We often add –er or –est to adjectives and adverbs. My brother is taller than I am. The safest driver I know is Jan. Spelling is easier than I thought!

The Rules Its easy to add –er and –est to adjectives and adverbs. You can learn to do it in just a few minutes! There are only 4 simple rules: 1. + er/est 2. + r/st 3. y i + er/est 4. x2 + er/est

+ er/est For most one-syllable adjectives and adverbs, just add –er or -est. longlongerlongest fastfasterfastest talltallertallest

+ r/st -One-syllable adjectives and adverbs that end with -e -Two-syllable adjectives that end with -le Just add –r or -st wide wider widest simple simpler simplest safe safer safest

y i + er/est For two-syllable adjectives that end with a consonant + y, change the y to i and add –er or -est. easy easiereasiest busy busierbusiest early earlierearliest

x2 + er/est For one-syllable adjectives and adverbs that end with consonant-vowel-consonant, double the final consonant and add –er or -est. hot hotterhottest big biggerbiggest thin thinnerthinnest

x2 + er/est (continued) Do not double the final consonants -x, -w, or –y. low lower lowest

Which rule? hard +er/est +r/st y i+er/est x2+er/est

Which rule? hard +er/est +r/st y i+er/est x2+er/est harder

Which rule? late +er/est +r/st y i+er/est x2+er/est

Which rule? late +er/est +r/st y i+er/est x2+er/est latest

Which rule? sunny +er/est +r/st y i+er/est x2+er/est

Which rule? sunny +er/est +r/st y i+er/est x2+er/est sunnier

Which rule? fat +er/est +r/st y i+er/est x2+er/est

Which rule? fat +er/est +r/st y i+er/est x2+er/est fattest

Which rule? loud +er/est +r/st y i+er/est x2+er/est

Which rule? loud +er/est +r/st y i+er/est x2+er/est louder

Which rule? happy +er/est +r/st y i+er/est 2+er/est

Which rule? happy +er/est +r/st y i+er/est x2+er/est happiest

Which rule? cute +er/est +r/st y i+er/est x2+er/est

Which rule? cute +er/est +r/st y i+er/est x2+er/est cuter

Which rule? fine +er/est +r/st y i+er/est x2+er/est

Which rule? fine +er/est +r/st y i+er/est x2+er/est finest

Which rule? yellow +er/est +r/st y i+er/est x2+er/est

Which rule? yellow +er/est +r/st y i+er/est x2+er/est yellower

Which rule? deep +er/est +r/st y i+er/est x2+er/est

Which rule? deep +er/est +r/st y i+er/est x2+er/est deeper

What are the 4 rules? 1. + er/est

What are the 4 rules? 1. + er/est 2. + r/st

What are the 4 rules? 1. + er/est 2. + r/st 3. y i + er/est

What are the 4 rules? 1. + er/est 2. + r/st 3. y i + er/est 4. x2 + er/est