The comparative is formed by adding er to the positive, if it end with a consonant; or the letter r, if it end with a vowel; as, soft, softer; safe, safer.
The superlative is formed by adding est, or st, as, soft, softest; safe, safest[36].
Some adjectives are compared irregularly, as,
| Pos. | Comp. | Super. |
| Good | Better | Best |
| Bad or Evil | Worse | Worst |
| Little | Less | Least |
| Much | More | Most |
| Many | More | Most |
| Near | Nearer | Nearest or next |
| Late | Later | Latest or last. |
The comparative degree is frequently expressed by the word more, and the superlative by most, as,
| Pos. | Comp. | Super. |
| Hard | More hard | Most hard. |
Monosyllabic adjectives are generally compared by annexing r or er, st or est; adjectives of two or more syllables by more and most, as, strong, stronger, strongest; certain, more certain, most certain.
Dissyllabic adjectives in y form an exception to this rule, as happy, happier, happiest.
Adjectives of two syllables ending in le, after a mute, are also excepted, as, able, abler, ablest.