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.

In the example opposite, "bigger" is the comparative form of the adjective "big":

A
A

The first A is bigger than the second A.

In this lesson we will look first at how we make comparative adjectives, and then at how we use them:

Formation of Comparative Adjectives

There are two ways to make or form a comparative adjective:

  • short adjectives: add "-er"

  • long adjectives: use "more"

  • Short adjectives

    • 1-syllable adjectives

    old, fast

    • 2-syllable adjectives ending in -y

    happy, easy

    Normal 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

    • 2-syllable adjectives not ending in -y

    modern, pleasant

    • all adjectives of 3 or more syllables

    expensive, intellectual

    Normal rule: use "more"

    modern > more modern
    expensive > more expensive
     

    With some 2-syllable adjectives, we can use '-er' or 'more':

    Exception
    The following adjectives have irregular forms:

    • good > better

    • well (healthy) > better

    • bad > worse

    • far > farther/further