2. Most adjectives ending in y change y to i before the endings er and est. Thus,—
- silky, silkier, silkiest;
- glossy, glossier, glossiest;
- sorry, sorrier, sorriest.
3. Adjectives having a short vowel and ending in a single consonant double this before the endings er and est. Thus,—
- dim, dimmer, dimmest;
- sad, sadder, saddest;
- fit, fitter, fittest;
- big, bigger, biggest;
- red, redder, reddest;
- hot, hotter, hottest.
184. Many adjectives are compared by prefixing the adverbs more and most to the positive degree.
Many adjectives of two syllables and most adjectives of three or more syllables are so compared. Thus,—
- recent, more recent, most recent;
- terrible, more terrible, most terrible;
- triumphant, more triumphant, most triumphant;
- economical, more economical, most economical.
Some adjectives may be compared in either way.
Examples:
- intense, intenser, intensest;
- OR intense, more intense, most intense.