Well, better, best, badly, worse and worst

Key Notes:

1️⃣ Well 😊

  • Meaning: Done in a good or satisfactory way.
  • Example: She sings 🎤 well.

2️⃣ Better 👍

  • Meaning: A higher degree of “well”; comparing two.
  • Example: He runs 🏃 faster and better than his friend.

3️⃣ Best 🏆

  • Meaning: The highest degree of “well”; comparing three or more.
  • Example: This is the best 🍰 cake I have ever eaten.

4️⃣ Badly 😟

  • Meaning: Done in a poor or unpleasant way.
  • Example: She danced 💃 very badly.

5️⃣ Worse 👎

  • Meaning: A higher degree of “badly”; comparing two.
  • Example: His handwriting ✍️ is worse than mine.

6️⃣ Worst 💔

  • Meaning: The highest degree of “badly”; comparing three or more.
  • Example: That was the worst 🎬 movie I’ve ever watched.

🔑 Key Points to Remember

✨ Well → Better → Best (Positive → Comparative → Superlative)
✨ Badly → Worse → Worst (Positive → Comparative → Superlative)
✨ Use comparatives (better, worse) to compare two things.
✨ Use superlatives (best, worst) to compare three or more things.

🎯 Quick Practice 💡

  1. He plays cricket 🏏 very ______ (well / better).
  2. This was the ______ (worst / worse) day of my life.
  3. Of all singers, she sings the ______ (best / better).

Learn with an example

Complete the sentence with the correct comparative or superlative adverb.

  • Max summarised the theme of the essay ______(well) than Toby did.

This sentence compares the actions of Max and Toby. The actions of two people are compared, so you should use a comparative adverb. The adverb has an irregular comparative form, better.

Complete the sentence with the correct comparative or superlative adverb.

  • Kate has fully recovered from her injury, and now she’s skiing___( well) than ever!

This sentence compares the actions of Kate now and Kate in the past. The actions of two people are compared, so you should use a comparative adverb. The adverb well has an irregular comparative form, better.

Complete the sentence with the correct comparative or superlative adverb.

  • The interior designer decorated our home ____(well) than I had expected him to.

This sentence compares the actions of the interior designer in reality and the interior designer as expected. The actions of two people are compared, so you should use a comparative adverb. The adverb well has an irregular comparative form, better.

let’s practice!