Comparatives and superlatives are essential for everyday English conversation. Whether you are comparing two restaurants or describing the tallest building in the city, you need to pronounce these forms correctly. The good news is that the pronunciation rules are consistent and predictable.
In this guide, you will learn how to pronounce -ER and -EST endings, where to place stress, how to handle irregular forms, and how to use the weak form of "than" in natural speech.
The -ER Ending: /ər/
The comparative -ER ending is always pronounced as a quick, unstressed /ər/ (schwa + r). The stress stays on the same syllable as the base word. Never add an extra syllable of emphasis to the -ER ending; it should sound relaxed and short.
Stress Pattern: The Key Rule
The stress always stays on the root word. The -ER ending is never stressed. Think of it this way: BIG-ger, FAST-er, STRONG-er, TALL-er. The ending just tags along quietly.
The -EST Ending: /ɪst/
The superlative -EST ending is pronounced /ɪst/ (a short "ih" sound followed by "st"). Like -ER, it is never stressed. The stress remains on the same syllable as the base word.
MORE /mɔːr/ and MOST /moʊst/
For longer adjectives (usually three or more syllables), we use "more" and "most" instead of -ER and -EST. In these phrases, "more" or "most" receives the stress, not the adjective. The adjective keeps its normal stress pattern.
THAN: Strong /ðæn/ vs. Weak /ðən/
"Than" almost always uses its weak form /ðən/ in natural speech. The vowel reduces to a schwa, and the word blends into the sentence. Only use the strong form for emphasis or at the end of a sentence.
| Phrase | Pronunciation | Context |
|---|---|---|
| better than | /ˈbɛtər ðən/ | Weak form (normal speech) |
| faster than | /ˈfæstər ðən/ | Weak form (normal speech) |
| more than | /mɔːr ðən/ | Weak form (normal speech) |
| rather than | /ˈræðər ðæn/ | Strong form (emphasis) |
Irregular Comparatives and Superlatives
The most common irregular forms have unique pronunciations that you simply need to memorize. Pay special attention to how different these sound from their base forms.
Stress Never Moves
One of the most important rules: when you add -ER or -EST, the stress stays exactly where it was in the base adjective. Here is a summary:
| Base | Comparative | Superlative | Stress |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIG /bɪɡ/ | BIG-ger /ˈbɪɡər/ | BIG-gest /ˈbɪɡɪst/ | First syllable |
| FAST /fæst/ | FAST-er /ˈfæstər/ | FAST-est /ˈfæstɪst/ | First syllable |
| EA-sy /ˈiːzi/ | EA-si-er /ˈiːziər/ | EA-si-est /ˈiːziɪst/ | First syllable |
| STRONG /strɔːŋ/ | STRONG-er /ˈstrɔːŋɡər/ | STRONG-est /ˈstrɔːŋɡɪst/ | First syllable |
Practice Sentences
Read these sentences aloud, focusing on keeping -ER/-EST unstressed and using the weak form of "than":
- "She is taller /ˈtɔːlər/ than /ðən/ her brother."
- "This is the biggest /ˈbɪɡɪst/ mistake I have ever made."
- "He drives faster /ˈfæstər/ than /ðən/ anyone else."
- "That was the best /bɛst/ meal and the worst /wɜːrst/ service."
- "Learning English is easier /ˈiːziər/ than /ðən/ you think."
With consistent practice, pronouncing comparatives and superlatives will become effortless. Remember: keep the endings light, maintain the original stress, and reduce "than" to its weak form for natural-sounding speech.