Comparatives
Use a comparative to show a difference between two people, things or groups. For example: She is taller than her brother.
Structure
- Short adjectives: add -er. Example: tall → taller, small → smaller
- Short adjectives ending in -e: add -r. Example: nice → nicer, large → larger
- Short adjectives ending in one vowel + one consonant (b-i-g, h-o-t): double the last letter and add -er. Example: big → bigger, hot → hotter. Do not double w, x or y: slow → slower, new → newer
- Adjectives ending in -y: change y to i and add -er. Example: happy → happier, busy → busier
- Most long adjectives: use more + adjective. Example: careful → more careful, beautiful → more beautiful
- Opposite meaning: use less + adjective. Example: expensive → less expensive
- Irregular forms: learn these words. Example: good → better, bad → worse, far → farther or further, many/much → more
- Little (amount): little → less. Use it for amount, not size. Example: I want less water. For size, use smaller: This cup is smaller.
How the Grammar Works
- Look at the adjective. Is it short or long? Short: add -er. Long: use more. Example: old → older, modern → more modern
- Put than before the second person or thing. Example: My brother is taller than me.
- Use more for a higher level and less for a lower level. Example: This phone is more expensive than that phone. That phone is less expensive. (More expensive = a higher price. Less expensive = a lower price.)
- Do not use than when the second thing is clear. Example: This bag is bigger.
Common Use Cases
- Comparing two people or things: This book is more interesting than that book.
- Comparing groups: Dogs are friendlier than cats.
- Comparing today and another day: Today is colder than yesterday.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Wrong: more better. Right: better. Better is already a comparative, so do not add more.
- Wrong: more tall. Right: taller. Tall is a short adjective, so add -er.
- Wrong: carefuller. Right: more careful. Careful is a long adjective, so use more.
- Wrong: My house is bigger yours. Right: My house is bigger than yours. Use than when you name the second thing.
- Wrong: slowwer. Right: slower. Do not double w, x or y.
Comparison with Related Grammar
A comparative shows a difference between two things or groups. The -est form (the tallest, the most interesting) shows the top of a group. You learn it in another rule. To say two things are the same, use as...as: She is as tall as her friend.
Example Sentences
- My house is bigger than yours.
- This film is more exciting than the book.
- Today is hotter than yesterday.
- This bag is less expensive than that bag.
- My sister is happier than me.
- This pizza is better than that pizza.
When to Use This Rule
Use a comparative to show a difference. Choose the form by the adjective, and add than when you name the second thing.