Making Comparisonsin English
We often use comparisons because we want to talk about the differences between people,
places, and things. Here is an example:
1. Janet’s house is bigger than Tom’s.
2. Tom’s house is a lot smaller than Janet’s.
3. Janet’s house is fancier and more elaborate than Tom’s house.
The comparative forms from the previous example are:-bigger than-smaller than-fancier than-more elaborate than
So . . . When do we use “–er” and when do we use “more?”
How many syllables are the words: “big” and
“small?” 1For 1-syllable adjectives, JUST add “er” to the end.
Example: Tom is smarter than Joe.
*If the 1-syllable adjective ends with the letter “e,” JUST add “r” to the end.
Examples: nicer wiser
**If the 1-syllable adjective has a C-V-C pattern, Double the consonant and add “er.”
Examples: San Francisco is wetter than San Diego.
San Diego is bigger than San Francisco.
For adjectives that end with the letter “y,” DROP the “y” and add “ier.”
Examples:Adjective = fancy Janet’s house is fancier than Tom’s.
Adjective = pretty Janet’s house is prettier than Tom’s.
Adjective = friendly Alison is friendlier than Susan.
How many syllables is the word: elaborate? 4 (more than 1)
For adjectives that are 2 or more syllables, use “more” + the adjective to make the comparative form.
Examples:Adjective = elaborate Janet’s house is more elaborate than Tom’s.
Adjective = comfortableThis chair is more comfortable than that chair.
Irregular comparatives:
You MUST memorize these!
Examples:good = better than far = farther (further) thanbad = worse than
Adjective = good Sara’s grades are better than Michael’s.
Grammar Rule:Never use both MORE and “ER!”
Incorrect:Lisa’s job is more better than mine.
Correct:Lisa’s job is better than mine.
Using “less than”Sometimes we compare two things by using “less than.”
To do this, use LESS + adjective + THAN
When using “less than,” the adjective DOES NOT CHANGE
Examples:He is LESS energetic than my other teacher.
This class is LESS crowded than the other one.
New York City is LESS polluted than Los Angeles.
Rule . . . ADJECTIVE COMPARATIVE
1. Adjectives with one syllable:
add “er”
oldbig cheap
older thanbigger thancheaper than
2. Adjectives that endin “Y”: drop “Y”, add “ier”
friendlybusy easy
friendlier thanbusier thaneasier than
3. Adjectives with two or more syllables: use “more”
politebeautifulimportant
more polite thanmore beautiful thanmore important than
4. Irregular forms: (memorize)
goodbadfar
better thanworse thanfarther/further than
5. Less Than quietcrowded
less quiet thanless crowded than
There are a few exceptions with comparative grammar . . .These are adjectives that don’t follow the basic rules or that have more than one acceptable form. To learn these, you must memorize them.
1.“fun” We say: more fun funner
2. “simple” We say: more simple ORsimpler
3. “narrow” We say: more narrow OR narrower
4. “quiet” We say: more quiet ORquieter
Try these examples. Use the comparative form.
1.I think Social Studies is _________________ (interesting) than Math.
2. San Diego is a _____________ (pretty) city than L.A.
3. A dog is usually _______________ (friendly) than a cat.
4. It is _____________ (hot) today than it was yesterday.
5. My cousin is ______________ (rich) than I am.
6. USE LESS: Some people think that Spanish is __________________ (difficult) than English.
For Additional Explanation and Practice, go to these websites:
1. Comparative / Superlative Explanation and Quizzes:
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/regcom.htm
2. Comparatives Challenge Board Game:http://www.quia.com/cb/283937.html
If you do these exercises, the grammar will get easier!