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 + 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.

In everyday English, we often say: “taller than me / him / her”. (You may also hear “taller than I am”, but you don’t need it now.)

3. Short adjectives (1 syllable)

For most short adjectives, add -er.

Examples (word change):

• tall → taller
• fast → faster
• small → smaller
• young → younger

Sentences:

• My brother is taller than me.
• This car is faster than that one.
• My house is smaller than yours.

3.1 Spelling rules

a) Adjectives ending in -e

Add only -r.

Examples:

• nice → nicer
• large → larger

Sentences:

• This park is nicer than the other one.
• My bedroom is larger than yours.

b) Consonant + vowel + consonant (CVC)

Double the last consonant and add -er.

Examples:

• big → bigger
• hot → hotter
• thin → thinner

Sentences:

• My dog is bigger than yours.
• Today is hotter than yesterday.

Do not double w, x, or y.

new → newer
slow → slower

a) Adjectives ending in -y

Change y → i and add -er.

Examples:

• busy → busier
• easy → easier
• healthy → healthier

Sentences:

• My schedule is busier than before.
• This test is easier than the last one.
• She is healthier than last year.

4. Longer adjectives

For many long adjectives (2+ syllables), use more/less: more expensive, more beautiful. For common adjectives ending in -y, use -ier: happy → happier, busy → busier.

Examples:

• more beautiful
• less expensive
• more comfortable
• more difficult

Sentences:

• This dress is more expensive than that one.
• English is less difficult than Mandarin.
• My bed is more comfortable than the chair.

5. Irregular comparatives

Some adjectives are irregular.

Examples:

• good → better
• bad → worse
• far → farther / further

Sentences:

• This food is better than yesterday’s food.
• Today is worse than Monday.
• The supermarket is farther than the bank.

Further can also mean “more” or “additional”.

Example:

• For further information, visit the website.

6. Comparatives without “than”

We use a comparative without 'than' when the other thing is not said (it is obvious or not important).

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

Sometimes we do not say the second thing because the comparison is already clear.

Examples:

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

7. 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/further.