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Comparative Adjectives
When we talk about two things, we can “compare” them. We can see if they are the same or different. Perhaps they are the same in some ways and different in other ways. We can use comparative adjectives to describe the differences.
We use comparative adjectives when talking about two things (not three or more things).
Formation of Comparative Adjectives
There are two ways to make or to “form” a comparative adjective:
- short adjectives: add “-er”
- long adjectives: use “more”
| Short adjectives: add -er | examples |
|---|---|
| 1-syllable adjectives | old, fast |
| 2-syllable adjectives ending in -y | happy, easy |
| RULE: add “-er” | old → older |
| Variation: if the adjective ends in -e, just add -r | late → later |
| Variation: if the adjective ends in consonant, vowel, consonant, double the last consonant | big → bigger |
| Variation: if the adjective ends in -y, change the y to i | happy → happier |
| Long adjectives: use more | examples |
|---|---|
| 2-syllable adjectives not ending in -y |
modern, pleasant |
| all adjectives of 3 or more syllables | expensive, intellectual |
Use of Comparative Adjectives
We use comparative adjectives when talking about 2 things (not 3 or 10 or 1,000,000 things, only 2 things).
Often, the comparative adjective is followed by “than”.
Look at these examples:
- John is 1m80. He is tall. But Chris is 1m85. He is taller than John.
- America is big. But Russia is bigger.
- I want to have a more powerful computer.
- Is French more difficult than English?
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