Worse vs Worst

Illustration of Worse vs Worst
Adjectives have 3 degrees of comparison: positive, comparative, and superlative. "Bad" is the positive degree,"worse" is the comparative, and "worst" would be the superlative.

Worse vs Worst - Exercise and Quiz

 

Understanding "Worse"

"Worse" is the comparative form of the adjective "bad." We use "worse" when we are comparing two things. For example, if you have two options and one is not as good as the other, you would say it is "worse."

Examples of "Worse":

➡️ This pizza is worse than the one we had last time. (Comparing two pizzas)

➡️ My cold is getting worse. (Comparing my health now to my health before)

Common Errors with "Worse":

One common mistake is using "worse" when "worst" should be used. Remember, "worse" is only used when comparing two things or situations.

❌ Incorrect: This is the worse movie I've ever seen.
✔️ Correct: This is the worst movie I've ever seen.

Understanding "Worst"

"Worst" is the superlative form of "bad." We use "worst" when we are talking about three or more things and want to show that one of them is the least good.

Examples of "Worst":

➡️ This is the worst day of my life. (Comparing all days)

➡️ Out of all the students, she did the worst on the test. (Comparing all students)

Common Errors with "Worst":

Sometimes people mistakenly use "worst" when comparing only two things, but "worst" is only for more than two.

❌ Incorrect: Between these two books, this one is the worst.
✔️ Correct: Between these two books, this one is worse.

FAQ

Can I use "worse" or "worst" with good things?

No, "worse" and "worst" are used with negative comparisons. For positive comparisons, use "better" and "best."

Is "worse" always a negative word?

Yes, "worse" implies something is not as good as something else.

Can I use "worse" with only one thing?

No, "worse" compares two things. For just one thing, say it's "bad" or "not good."

What’s the opposite of "worst"?

The opposite of "worst" is "best."

Can "worse" and "worst" be used for actions, not just things?

Yes! For example: "Running in the rain is worse than walking" (two actions), or "He performed the worst in the competition" (multiple performances).

 
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