This is the most basic statement. We state that an item, usually a noun, possesses a certain quality.

• Daniel is tall.
• Ági is pretty.
• [Jaffa] is dumb.
• Beer is good.
• Budweiser is bad.
• You have few brain cells.

We simply apply the adjective to the noun, without reference to any other noun. We do not compare Daniel's height to anyone else's, nor Ági's looks.

This uses an adjective to compare two items. We state that some quality (or quantity) is larger or smaller than some other quality (or quantity).

• Daniel is taller than Ági.
• Ági is prettier than Helen of Troy.
• Jaffa is dumber than [Rolo].
• Beer is better than wine.
• Budweiser is worse than piss.
• You have fewer brain cells than I. (not 'than [me]'.)

Note two things:

1. The adjective has changed. Usually, the ending -er is added, but only for regular adjectives.
2. The word than is introduced. We are comparing the quality or quantity to another.

This uses an adjective to state that some quality or quantity is the greatest or least of all.

• Daniel is the tallest.
• Ági is the prettiest.
• Jaffa is the dumbest.
• Beer is the best.
• Budweiser beer is the worst.
• You have fewest brain cells.

Note three things:

1. The adjective has changed again. Usually, the ending -er in the comparative changes to -est, but only for regular adjectives.
2. The word than is removed, compared to the comparative. We have no need to mention any other noun.
3. We usually put the in front of the adjective, compared to the comparative.