Adjectives With Two Comparative and Superlative Forms

English adjectives can form the comparative and superlative in one of two forms. One form is with the suffixes -er and -est. The other form is with the words more and the most before the adjective. However, with a few adjectives, both forms are possible.

Disyllabic adjectives with the -ly suffix can form the comparative and superlatives with both forms. For example, the adjective deadly has the forms deadlier/more deadly and the deadliest/the most deadly. The form that one uses is a matter of preference.

The following adjectives can form the comparative and superlative with both forms:

chilly

curly

deadly

friendly

kindly

likely

lively

lonely

oily

smelly

English adjectives usually form the comparative and superlative with only one form. However, a number of disyllabic adjectives with the suffix -ly can combine with both comparative and superlative forms. They are thus an exception.