Comparative (basic)

1. What are comparatives?

We use comparatives to compare two people, things, places, or situations.

They help us say one thing is bigger, smaller, faster, or more expensive than another thing.

Examples:

• A dog is bigger than a cat.
• Today is colder than yesterday.
• This car is more expensive than the old one.

2. Basic comparative pattern

Structure

Pattern: X + be + comparative adjective + than + Y (X = the first thing, Y = the second thing).

Example: My brother (X) is taller than me (Y).

Examples:

• My brother is taller than me.
• This book is more interesting than that one.
• The blue bag is smaller than the black bag.

3. Adjectives That Take -er

Most one-syllable adjectives add -er. Common adjectives ending in consonant + y also change to -ier.

3.1 Spelling rules

Adjective ending	What to do	Example
-e	add -r	nice → nicer
consonant + vowel + consonant	double the last consonant and add -er	big → bigger
final w, x, or y	do not double the final letter	new → newer
consonant + y	change y to i and add -er	easy → easier

Two-syllable adjectives ending in consonant + y also take -ier: happy → happier; easy → easier.

Examples:

• This park is nicer than the other one.
• My dog is bigger than yours.
• Today is hotter than yesterday.
• My new phone is newer than my old one.
• This road is slower than the motorway.
• This test is easier than the last one.

4. Longer adjectives

For many longer adjectives (usually 2+ syllables), use more: more expensive, more beautiful. But two-syllable adjectives ending in consonant + y use -ier: happy → happier, easy → easier.

Examples:

• more beautiful
• more comfortable
• more difficult

Sentences:

• This dress is more expensive than that one.
• My bed is more comfortable than the chair.

5. Irregular comparatives

Some adjectives are irregular.

Examples:

• good → better
• bad → worse
• far → farther
• many/much → more

Sentences:

• This food is better than yesterday’s food.
• Today is worse than Monday.
• The supermarket is farther away than the bank.
• I have more books than you.

6. Comparatives without “than”

We can leave out than + the second thing when it is already clear from the situation or is not important.

Compare: Today is colder than yesterday. / It’s getting colder. (We don’t say what we compare it to.)

Contrast:

• This bag is heavier than the blue bag. (The second thing is named.)
• Take the small suitcase. This one is heavier. (The situation makes the comparison clear.)

Examples:

• It’s getting colder.
• This bag is heavier.
• Your English is getting better.

7. Common mistakes

8. Key takeaways

• Comparatives compare two things or people.
• Short adjectives usually add -er.
• Longer adjectives often use more / less.
• Many comparisons use than.
• Some adjectives are irregular: better, worse, farther (also further).