Lesson Six:
The Comparative Form for Adjectives
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Use “er” at the end of small words. (one syllable)
Use “more” in front of long words (2+ syllables)
A lion is bigger than a cat.
A lion is more dangerous than a cat.
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The children playing with the blocks are
younger than the students going to school.
Here are some more examples: |
Note: It’s not always necessary to use “than”
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Watch this video:
The comparative form is used to show the difference between two things or two people, two groups of things, or two groups of people. There are rules for using the comparative form. The table below will help you. |
The Comparative Form for Adjectives | ||
One-syllable words | two-syllable words ending in y | two syllables or more not ending in y |
add er | drop the y and add ier | use more / don’t add er |
big ![]() | noisy ![]() | dangerous ![]() |
old ![]() | busy ![]() | expensive ![]() |
nice ![]() | crazy ![]() | comfortable ![]() |
young ![]() | lazy ![]() | humid ![]() |
fast ![]() | funny ![]() | tired ![]() |
cheap ![]() | dry ![]() | acceptable ![]() |
There are some exceptions: good, bad, far, and fun are adjectives that don’t follow the rules when making the comparative form. | ||
good ![]() | bad ![]() | far ![]() |
fun ![]() |
Never use two comparatives together on an adjective:
more cheaper
more noisier
more older
1. I am much __________ ____________ you are. (old)
2. This gold watch is _______ _______________ __________ the silver one. (expensive)
3. China is __________ __________ Japan. (big)
4. It’s _____________ to eat a big breakfast in the morning _________ nothing at all. (good)
5. I felt ___________ today when I woke up _________ I did yesterday. (bad)
6. We have to wake up _____________ tomorrow _________ we ususally do. (early)
7. The air feels _________ ____________ today _______ it did yesterday. (humid)
8. A motorcycle is much ________ _______________ _________ a car. (dangerous)
9. I need a _____________ house because mine is too big. (small)
10. My old shoes are _______ _____________ ________ my new shoes. (comfortable)