Making Comparisonsin English

We often use comparisons because we want to talk about the differences between people,

places, and things. Here is an example:

1. Janet’s house is bigger than Tom’s.

2. Tom’s house is a lot smaller than Janet’s.

3. Janet’s house is fancier and more elaborate than Tom’s house.

The comparative forms from the previous example are:-bigger than-smaller than-fancier than-more elaborate than

So . . . When do we use “–er” and when do we use “more?”

How many syllables are the words: “big” and

“small?” 1For 1-syllable adjectives, JUST add “er” to the end.

Example: Tom is smarter than Joe.

*If the 1-syllable adjective ends with the letter “e,” JUST add “r” to the end.

Examples: nicer wiser

**If the 1-syllable adjective has a C-V-C pattern, Double the consonant and add “er.” 

Examples: San Francisco is wetter than San Diego.

San Diego is bigger than San Francisco.

For adjectives that end with the letter “y,” DROP the “y” and add “ier.”

Examples:Adjective = fancy Janet’s house is fancier than Tom’s.

Adjective = pretty Janet’s house is prettier than Tom’s.

Adjective = friendly Alison is friendlier than Susan.

How many syllables is the word: elaborate? 4 (more than 1)

For adjectives that are 2 or more syllables, use “more” + the adjective to make the comparative form.

Examples:Adjective = elaborate Janet’s house is more elaborate than Tom’s.

Adjective = comfortableThis chair is more comfortable than that chair.

Irregular comparatives:

You MUST memorize these!

Examples:good = better than far = farther (further) thanbad = worse than

Adjective = good Sara’s grades are better than Michael’s.

Grammar Rule:Never use both MORE and “ER!”

Incorrect:Lisa’s job is more better than mine.

Correct:Lisa’s job is better than mine.

Using “less than”Sometimes we compare two things by using “less than.”

To do this, use LESS + adjective + THAN

When using “less than,” the adjective DOES NOT CHANGE

Examples:He is LESS energetic than my other teacher.

This class is LESS crowded than the other one.

New York City is LESS polluted than Los Angeles.

Rule . . . ADJECTIVE COMPARATIVE

1. Adjectives with one syllable:

add “er”

oldbig cheap

older thanbigger thancheaper than

2. Adjectives that endin “Y”: drop “Y”, add “ier”

friendlybusy easy

friendlier thanbusier thaneasier than

3. Adjectives with two or more syllables: use “more”

politebeautifulimportant

more polite thanmore beautiful thanmore important than

4. Irregular forms: (memorize)

goodbadfar

better thanworse thanfarther/further than

5. Less Than quietcrowded

less quiet thanless crowded than

There are a few exceptions with comparative grammar . . .These are adjectives that don’t follow the basic rules or that have more than one acceptable form. To learn these, you must memorize them.

1.“fun” We say: more fun funner

2. “simple” We say: more simple ORsimpler

3. “narrow” We say: more narrow OR narrower

4. “quiet” We say: more quiet ORquieter

Try these examples. Use the comparative form.

1.I think Social Studies is _________________ (interesting) than Math.

2. San Diego is a _____________ (pretty) city than L.A.

3. A dog is usually _______________ (friendly) than a cat.

4. It is _____________ (hot) today than it was yesterday.

5. My cousin is ______________ (rich) than I am.

6. USE LESS: Some people think that Spanish is __________________ (difficult) than English.

For Additional Explanation and Practice, go to these websites:

1. Comparative / Superlative Explanation and Quizzes:

http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/regcom.htm

2. Comparatives Challenge Board Game:http://www.quia.com/cb/283937.html

If you do these exercises, the grammar will get easier!

Javier Burgos E.L.T.