Comparative, Superlative, Equative, Past Tenses in English
Comparative, Superlative, and Equative Forms
Comparatives
The comparative form expresses similarities or differences between two people or things. Form the comparative with:
- Adjective + -er + than
- More / Less + Adjective + than
Examples:
- The small intestine is longer than the large intestine.
- Henry is healthier than his father.
Superlatives
The superlative form expresses extremes among three or more people or things. Form the superlative with:
- The + Adjective + -est
- The most / The least + Adjective
Examples:
- The skin is the largest organ in the human body.
- Some people think that the liver is the most important organ in the body.
Equatives
The equative is used when people or things are equal to each other. Form the equative with:
- (Not) as + Adjective + as
Examples:
- Your heart is as large as your fist.
- Your stomach is not as large as your liver.
Irregular Adjectives
Some adjectives have irregular comparative and superlative forms:
- Good = Better = Best
- Bad = Worse = Worst
- Far = Farther = Farthest
Past Continuous vs. Simple Past
Past Continuous
Use the past continuous tense to talk about something in progress at a specific time in the past. Form the past continuous with was / were + the -ing form of the verb.
Examples:
- We weren’t watching a movie at 8:00 last night. We were studying for a test.
- I saw Sasha yesterday afternoon. He was teaching his son to ride a bicycle.
Simple Past with Past Continuous
Use the simple past tense with the past continuous to talk about a past event that interrupted something already in progress. Use when with the simple past and while with the past continuous.
Example:
- We were practicing the play when the lights went out.
Enough and Too
- Enough means sufficient.
- Too means more than necessary or desirable.
Examples:
- He was old enough to sail alone. (Adjective + enough)
- He was not fast enough to catch fish. (Not + Adjective + enough)
- His boat was too dark to see. (Too + Adjective)
Present Perfect
The present perfect tense uses has for he, she, it, and have for I, you, we, they. It is sometimes used with ever, never, already, yet, for, and since.
Example Story: Past Continuous and Simple Past
I was going to the beach. It began to rain. So, I wasn’t going to swim. I decided to go to the cinema. While I was going to the cinema, I met Lucy. She was telling me about her sister when her sister arrived. We were frightened. When we were going home, a train was running, and suddenly we heard a noise. Finally, we went home. There, we were playing chess while we were having tea all afternoon while outside it was raining.