Comparative Adjectives
🔰 What Are Comparative Adjectives?
Comparative adjectives are used to compare two people, places, things, or ideas. They show differences between them, usually in terms of quality, quantity, or degree.
🧠 Basic Rule: A comparative adjective answers the question:
"How is one thing different from another?"
📌 Structure of Comparative Adjectives
There are two main ways to form comparatives, depending on the length of the adjective.
1. Short Adjectives (1 syllable, or 2 syllables ending in -y)
➡️ Form:Adjective + -er + than
Examples:
- small → smaller than
- tall → taller than
- happy → happier than
✔️ Rule for -y adjectives: change -y to -i before adding -er
- easy → easier than
- busy → busier than
2. Long Adjectives (2 or more syllables)
➡️ Form:more + adjective + than
Examples:
- beautiful → more beautiful than
- interesting → more interesting than
- expensive → more expensive than
⚠️ Spelling Rules to Remember
- CVC Rule (Consonant-Vowel-Consonant):
If the adjective ends in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel, double the final consonant before adding -er.- big → bigger than
- hot → hotter than
- Adjectives ending in -e:
Just add -r.- nice → nicer than
- large → larger than
🧾 Irregular Comparative Adjectives
Some adjectives do not follow the regular rules. You must memorize them.
| Adjective | Comparative | Example |
|---|---|---|
| good | better | Apples are better than candy. |
| bad | worse | This movie is worse than the last one. |
| far | farther / further | She lives farther than I do. |
🧪 Examples in Sentences
- This book is longer than the last one.
- She is more talented than her brother.
- Today is hotter than yesterday.
- I think running is more exciting than walking.
- This restaurant is better than the other one.
📝 Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ He is more taller than me.
✅ He is taller than me. (Don’t use “more” with -er adjectives.)
❌ This test is easiest than the first.
✅ This test is easier than the first. (Use comparative, not superlative, for comparing two.)
🎯 Summary
- Use -er + than for short adjectives.
- Use more + adjective + than for long adjectives.
- Learn irregular forms like better, worse, farther.
- Watch out for spelling rules and common mistakes.
