Comparatives
Comparatives are used to compare two people, things, or situations. They show differences in quality, quantity, or degree, and are usually followed by than to name what is being compared.
Structure
- One-syllable adjectives → add -er: tall → taller, small → smaller.
- One-syllable adjectives ending in 'e' → add -r: nice → nicer, large → larger.
- One-syllable adjectives ending consonant+vowel+consonant → double the consonant + -er: big → bigger, hot → hotter.
- Two-syllable adjectives ending in 'y' → change y to i + -er: happy → happier, busy → busier.
- Adjectives with two or more syllables → use more or less: careful → more careful, interesting → more interesting.
- Irregular comparatives (memorize): good → better, bad → worse, far → farther/further, little → less, many/much → more.
How the Grammar Works
- Choose the right form based on the adjective's length and ending (see Structure above).
- Add than after the comparative to name the second thing being compared: 'She is taller than her brother.'
- Use and + comparative to describe an ongoing change: 'The weather is getting colder and colder.'
- Use much, far, a lot before a comparative to emphasize a big difference: 'Today is much warmer than yesterday.'
Common Use Cases
- Comparing two people or things: This book is more interesting than the other one.
- Describing gradual change: He became more and more confident.
- Emphasizing a difference: This laptop is far more expensive than that one.
- Saying two things are equal, with 'as...as' (related but not strictly comparative): She is as tall as her friend. This test is not as difficult as the last one.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Using a double comparative: Incorrect: "more better". Correct: "better".
- Forgetting 'than' when naming the comparison: Incorrect: "My house is bigger yours". Correct: "My house is bigger than yours".
- Using '-er' with long adjectives: Incorrect: "more tall". Correct: "taller".
- Confusing 'interesting' with a regular -er form: Incorrect: "interestinger". Correct: "more interesting".
Comparison with Related Grammar
Comparatives compare exactly two things and use 'than'. Superlatives (see the separate rule) compare three or more things and use 'the' + '-est'/'most'. 'As...as' expresses equality rather than difference, and doesn't use '-er' or 'more' at all.
Example Sentences
- My house is bigger than yours.
- This movie is more exciting than the book.
- Today is hotter than yesterday.
- He is less polite than his colleague.
- She is getting more and more tired.
When to Use This Rule
Use comparatives to compare two things and show a difference. Remember: pick the right form by the adjective's length, always add 'than' to name the comparison, and never combine 'more' with an '-er' ending.