Comparative Adjectives

Used to compare two people, things, or ideas by highlighting differences in quality or quantity.

Comparative Adjectives describe a higher or lower degree of a quality between two nouns. They typically end in -er or use more/less before the adjective.

Function: To compare two things in terms of size, quality, speed, importance, etc.

When to Use Comparative Adjectives

  • To compare two people, objects, or places
  • Answer questions like: Which is bigger? Who is faster?
  • Use than for clear comparisons: e.g., “taller than me”

Forms of Comparative Adjectives

  • One-syllable adjectives: Add -er (e.g., tall → taller, fast → faster)
  • Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y: Change -y to -ier (e.g., happy → happier)
  • Adjectives with 2+ syllables: Use more/less (e.g., more beautiful, less interesting)

Spelling Rules

  • Big → bigger (double final consonant after short vowel)
  • Nice → nicer (drop the silent -e before adding -er)
  • Happy → happier (change -y to -i before adding -er)

Examples in Sentences

  • My house is larger than yours.
  • This book is more interesting than the last one.
  • He is less confident than his brother.
  • The test was easier than we expected.

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ He is more taller than me → ✅ He is taller than me
  • ❌ This is more better → ✅ This is better
  • ❌ She is more friendlier → ✅ She is friendlier / more friendly

Irregular Comparative Adjectives

  • Good → better
  • Bad → worse
  • Far → farther/further
  • Little → less
  • Many/much → more

Comparative Structures

  • as...as: She is as smart as her sister.
  • not as...as: This car is not as fast as mine.
  • Comparative + than: He runs faster than his friend.
  • The more... the more: The more you read, the more you learn.

Practice Exercises

1. Identify the Comparative

  1. This problem is harder than the last. → Comparative: harder
  2. She is more reliable than her colleague. → Comparative: more reliable

2. Fill in the Blank

  1. This route is ______ than the highway. (short)
  2. He is ______ than I thought. (friendly)

3. Correct the Error

  1. This phone is more cheaper than that. → ✅ This phone is cheaper than that.
  2. My marks are gooder than his. → ✅ My marks are better than his.

Pro Tips

1. Use Comparative + Than

Always use than after comparatives when comparing two things:
“This design is simpler than the previous one.”

2. Don't Double the Comparative

Never say “more better” or “more taller”. Use either better or taller, not both with “more”.

3. Use Parallel Structure

Keep balance in comparisons:
❌ She is smarter than anyone.
✅ She is smarter than anyone else.