German Letters

Grammar Appendix

Comparatives and Superlatives

by Eugene R. Moutoux

Regular

Positive

Comparative

Superlative

groß

größer

größte (am größten)

alt

älter

älteste (am ältesten)

klar

klarer

klarste (am klarsten)

Irregular

Positive

Comparative

Superlative

gut

besser

beste (am besten) (1)

viel (2)

mehr (3)

meiste (am meisten)

hoch

höher

höchste (am höchsten)

gern (4)

lieber

liebste (am liebsten)

1 The am-form is sometimes used as a predicate adjective, but it never appears in the attributive position (i.e., before a noun). Superlative adverbs are always expressed with the am-form.

2 when not preceded, seldom has an ending in the singular

3 indeclinable

4 adverb only

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