TOEIC® Comparatives and Superlatives: Rules, Pitfalls, and Strategy to Stop Making Mistakes

Comparatives and superlatives allow us to compare elements (bigger, cheaper) or express an absolute degree (the fastest, the least expensive).

In the TOEIC®, these often appear in Part 5 and 6, and you need to know whether to choose "-er/more" or "-est/most" based on the adjective's length.

The main traps? Confusing the forms (saying "more fast" instead of "faster") or forgetting "than" after a comparative. Today, we'll go over all of this so you don't make mistakes anymore ;)

The Basics: How to Form Comparatives and Superlatives

The rule depends on the number of syllables in the adjective.

Short Adjectives (1 Syllable): -er / -est

You add "-er" for the comparative and "-est" for the superlative.

• "This contract is shorter than the previous one." This contract is shorter than the previous one.
• "Our newest product is the cheapest option on the market." Our newest product is the least expensive option on the market.

2-Syllable Adjectives: It Depends

For adjectives ending in -y, -ow, -le, -er: use "-er/-est" (change -y to -i).

• "The second proposal is easier to implement." The second proposal is easier to implement.

For other 2-syllable adjectives: use "more/most".

• "This process is more careful than the old one." This process is more careful than the old one.

Long Adjectives (3 Syllables and Up): more / most

• "The new software is more efficient than the previous version." The new software is more efficient than the previous version.
• "She submitted the most detailed report in the team." She submitted the most detailed report on the team.

Irregular Adjectives You Must Memorize

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When coaching candidates preparing for the TOEIC, we see the same thing constantly: the majority of mistakes on this topic in Part 5 involve "good/better/best" and "bad/worse/worst".

Summary Table of Forms

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TOEIC® Traps Related to Comparisons

The rules are set.
But in the TOEIC®, knowing the rule isn't always enough. It's often the small details that cost you points, especially when you're moving fast.

This is exactly where test designers trip up a lot of candidates. Let's look at the most common errors and how to avoid them.

Trap 1: Double Marking—Choosing Between more and -er

In the TOEIC®, you can never use:

• more with an adjective already in the -er comparative form
• nor most with -est.

--> So, if the adjective takes -er / -est, we never add more / most.

"more faster" / "most easiest" $\rightarrow$ Incorrect form
"faster" / "easiest" $\rightarrow$ Correct form

Here is a summary table you can memorize as is:

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Trap 2: Forgetting "than" After a Comparative

Comparatives of superiority (-er / more) require "than" to introduce the second element.

• "Sales in Q2 were higher than in Q1."
  Sales in Q2 were higher than those in Q1.

Trap 3: Confusing "less" and "fewer"

"Less" is used with uncountable nouns; "fewer" is used with countable nouns.

As a reminder, a noun is countable if it can be counted individually (one, two, three…). If it cannot, we say it is uncountable because it refers to a total quantity that isn't counted item by item.

• "We received fewer applications this year."
  We received fewer applications this year.
• "There is less time available for the meeting."
  There is less time available for the meeting.

Trap 4: Forgetting "the" Before the Superlative

The superlative always takes "the" (unless preceded by a possessive).

• "This is the most important document." --> no possessive
  This is the most important document.
• "Our best employees receive bonuses." --> with possessive
  Our best employees receive bonuses.

Comparisons of Equality and Inferiority

As... as (Equality)

• "The new office is as large as the previous one." The new office is as large as the previous one.

Not as... as (Inferiority)

• "This quarter was not as profitable as the last one."
  This quarter was not as profitable as the last one.

Less... than (Inferiority)

• "The second option is less expensive than the first." The second option is less expensive than the first one.

Candidates who progress quickly have a simple reflex: they spot "than" and "as" in the sentences to identify a comparison, and then they check the adjective form.

Advanced Structures Appearing in Part 5

The... the... (The more... the better...)

• "The more you practice, the better you get."
  The more you practice, the better you become.

This structure often appears in business contexts: "The sooner we respond, the more satisfied our clients will be." The sooner we respond, the more satisfied our clients will be.

Much / far / a lot + Comparative (Intensification)

• "This solution is much more efficient than the old one."
  This solution is much more efficient than the old one.

By far + Superlative (By far)

• "She is by far the most qualified candidate."
  She is by far the most qualified candidate.

Checklist

When you see a space to fill with an adjective, ask yourself these questions in order:

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Frequent Errors We See Among Our Candidates

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Candidates often lose the most points on improperly used "as... as" structures, much more so than on the "-er/-est" forms themselves. Remember to check the complete structure, not just the adjective in isolation.

Ready to Practice?

You now master the essential rules for comparatives and superlatives.

The secret to rapid progress? Identify the keywords ("than", "the", "as"), check the adjective's syllable count, and spot the irregulars.

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