Grade 3 · List 2 of 7 · 38 words

-er and -est words

The ending rules apply here too. A free 3rd grade spelling list: hear each word, print a practice sheet, or take the test.

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The words

  • bigger
  • biggest
  • faster
  • nicest
  • taller
  • smallest
  • hotter
  • wettest
  • larger
  • safest
  • happiest
  • sadder
  • longest
  • closer
  • kindest
  • fastest
  • tallest
  • smaller
  • nicer
  • longer
  • older
  • oldest
  • younger
  • youngest
  • softer
  • slower
  • quicker
  • warmer
  • colder
  • coldest
  • darker
  • brighter
  • cutest
  • wider
  • widest

Tricky words to learn by heart

These come up alongside this pattern but don't follow it.

  • really
  • finally
  • almost

In a sentence

  • bigger: The dragon is bigger than the castle gate.
  • biggest: The dragon is the biggest creature in the whole land.
  • faster: The unicorn ran faster than the wind.
  • nicest: The unicorn gave me the nicest smile in the forest.
  • taller: The old oak tree in the forest is taller than the castle.
  • smallest: The smallest fairy hid inside a flower.

Mistakes to watch for

For grown-ups helping at home: these are the kinds of slips this pattern tends to bring.

WordOften written as
biggerbiger, biggor
biggestbiggst, bigest
fasterfastor, fastir
nicestnicst, nicet
tallertalller, tallor

Take the -er and -est words spelling test

10 words, read aloud. No sign-up, no timer, and nothing is saved.

FOR GROWN-UPS

Sheets built around your child's tricky words

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A sample practice sheet for a hero named BraveOtter42, with the letters ai and ou blanked out of words and sentences to fill in.
Sample practice sheet
A sample certificate of mastery for BraveOtter42, for the spelling of ai and ay.
Sample certificate
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