Comparative adjectives are words used to compare two or more things, showing which one has more or less of a particular quality. In other words, they help us understand the differences in degrees between two objects or people.
To form a comparative adjective, we usually add “-er” to the end of the adjective if it is a one-syllable word or if it ends in “y.” For longer adjectives (those with two or more syllables), we use “more” before the adjective to make it comparative.
Formation of Comparative Adjectives
Let’s discuss the formation of comparative adjectives in simple terms:
1. One-syllable Adjectives:
Most one-syllable adjectives can be made comparative by adding “-er” to the end of the adjective.
Examples:
Big → Bigger (The blue balloon is bigger than the red balloon.)
Fast → Faster (The cheetah is faster than the turtle.)
2. Two-syllable Adjectives:
Many two-syllable adjectives can also be made comparative by adding “-er” to the end.
Examples:
Clever → Cleverer (Jane is cleverer than Tom.)
Simple → Simpler (This math problem is simpler than the one before.)
3. Adjectives ending in “y”:
For adjectives that end in “y,” we replace the “y” with “i” and add “-er” to make them comparative.
Examples:
Happy → Happier (She is happier today.)
Busy → Busier (This street is busier than the other one.)
4. Irregular Comparative Adjectives:
Some adjectives have irregular forms when they become comparative.
Examples:
Good → Better (This idea is better than the previous one.)
Bad → Worse (The weather is worse today.)
5. Adjectives with Two or More Syllables:
Longer adjectives with two or more syllables usually use the word “more” before the adjective to make them comparative.
Examples:
Beautiful → More beautiful (The sunset is more beautiful than the sunrise.)
Interesting → More interesting (The book is more interesting than the movie.)
Remember, when comparing two things, we often use “than” to make the comparison clear.
Comparison of Adjectives
When we want to compare the qualities of two or more things, we use comparative adjectives. Comparative adjectives help us express which thing has more or less of a certain quality.
Here are three common ways to make comparisons using comparative adjectives:
1. Using “than”:
We use “than” to compare two things, stating that one thing has more or less of a quality than the other.
Examples:
The elephant is bigger than the mouse. (Comparing the size of the elephant and the mouse.)
Sarah is taller than Peter. (Comparing the height of Sarah and Peter.)
This car is faster than that one. (Comparing the speed of two cars.)
2. Using “as…as”:
We use “as…as” to show that two things are equal in a certain quality.
Examples:
The apple is as red as the tomato. (Both the apple and the tomato have the same degree of redness.)
John is as tall as his brother. (Both John and his brother have the same height.)
This cake is as delicious as the one I had yesterday. (Both cakes have the same level of deliciousness.)
3. Using “not as…as”:
We use “not as…as” to show that one thing has less of a quality than another.
Examples:
This book is not as interesting as the one I read last week. (The book I read last week was more interesting.)
The cat is not as friendly as the dog. (The dog is friendlier.)
Examples of Comparative Adjectives
The blue balloon is bigger than the red balloon.
Explanation: In this sentence, we are comparing the size of two balloons: the blue balloon and the red balloon. We use the comparative adjective “bigger” to show that the blue balloon has more size than the red balloon.
Jane is cleverer than Tom.
Explanation: This sentence compares the intelligence of two people, Jane and Tom. We use the comparative adjective “cleverer” to indicate that Jane has more intelligence than Tom.
Example: This pizza is better than the other one.
Explanation: In this sentence, we are comparing the quality of two pizzas: “this pizza” and “the other one.” The comparative adjective “better” tells us that this pizza has a higher quality or tastes more delicious than the other pizza.
The cheetah is faster than the turtle.
Explanation: This sentence compares the speed of two animals, the cheetah, and the turtle. The comparative adjective “faster” lets us know that the cheetah can move with more speed than the slow-moving turtle.
The movie was more interesting than the book.
Explanation: In this example, we are comparing the level of interest between a movie and a book. The comparative adjective “more interesting” indicates that the movie sparked greater interest than the book.
My phone is not as expensive as yours.
Explanation: This sentence compares the cost of two phones, “my phone” and “yours.” The comparative phrase “not as expensive as” tells us that “my phone” is less costly than “yours.”
This exercise is easier than the one we did yesterday.
Explanation: Here, we are comparing the level of difficulty between the two exercises. The comparative adjective “easier” shows that this exercise is less challenging than the one completed yesterday.
Exercises to Practice Comparative Adjectives
This book is _______ (interesting) than the one I read last month.
Answer: more interesting
Mary is _______ (tall) than her sister.
Answer: taller
The blue dress is _______ (expensive) than the red dress.
Answer: more expensive
My car is _______ (fast) than yours.
Answer: faster
This puzzle is _______ (difficult) than the one we did yesterday.
Answer: more difficult
Winter is _______ (cold) than summer.
Answer: colder
The new restaurant is _______ (popular) than the old one.
Answer: more popular
His English speaking skills are _______ (good) than mine.
Answer: better
The movie was _______ (exciting) than I expected.
Answer: more exciting
She is _______ (happy) now that she got a promotion.
Answer: happier
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