Adjectives can compare two things or more than two things. When we make these comparisons, we use comparative forms of adjectives.
Comparative Adjective
Comparative adjectives compare two things. One way to describe nouns (people, objects, animals, etc.) is by comparing them to something else. When comparing two things, you’re likely to use adjectives like smaller, bigger, taller, more interesting, and less expensive.
They go with “than”. Here are some examples:
I am taller than my sister.
My dad is fitter than my mother.
She is older than Paul.
The bicycle is bigger than the pen.
Comparative Adjective Structure
For adjectives that are just one syllable, add -er to the end (this explains the above example).
Subject + BE + Adjective + ER + Than
Math is harder than physics to me.
I try to be nicer than my sister.
For two-syllable adjectives not ending in -y and for all three-or-more-syllable adjectives, use the form “more + adjective.”
Subject + BE + More + Adjective + Than
Examples:
The car is bigger than the bicycle.
The dress is more expensive than the pants.
EXCEPTION:
For two-syllable adjectives ending in -y, change the -y to -i and add -er.
Mike is funnier than Isaac.
That is sleepier puppy than mine.
Danish people are happier than British people.
You should notice the two different structures for comparative adjectives.
Ones uses ER and the other uses MORE.
But how do you know when to use each? Follow this table:
Base Adjective Add Example
2 Syllables or less ER Tall / Taller
3 Syllables or more MORE Beautiful / MoreBeautiful
Summary:
The basic idea is short adjectives use ER and longer adjectives use MORE.
Here are some short ones:
The cat is smaller than the dog.
I am older than my brother.
The laptop is cheaper than the tablet.
Older athletes are getting faster.
And here are some longer words:
The tablet is more expensive than the laptop.
Mary is more intelligent than Michael.
This house is more exciting than ever.
The book was more interesting than the movie.
Irregular Comparative Adjectives
A few comparatives don’t follow the structure above. Don’t worry, there aren’t too many. Here is the list:
Adjective Comparative
Good Better
Bad Worse
Many/Much More
Little Less
Far Farther
Here are some examples:
The book was better than the movie.
Today’s top sportspeople receive a lot more money than in the past.
My test score was worse than Lucy’s test score.
I have more money than you.
There used to be less information available about fitness.
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