Comparative (basic)
Comparative (Basics)
1. What Are Comparatives?
- one thing has more of something
- one thing has less of something
- or two things are different
Examples:
- A dog is bigger than a cat.
- Today is colder than yesterday.
- This car is more expensive than the old one.
Important:
If two people or things are different, we use a comparative form.
2. Short Adjectives (1 syllable)
For short adjectives, we usually add –er.
Structure:
adjective + er + than
Examples:
- tall → taller
- fast → faster
- small → smaller
- My brother is taller than me.
- This car is faster than that one.
- My house is smaller than his.
2.1. Spelling Rules
One Syllable:
a) Adjective ends in –e
Add –r
- nice → nicer
- large → larger
Add double the consonant - er
- big → bigger
- hot → hotter
3. Long Adjectives (2 or more syllables)
- beautiful → more beautiful / less beautiful
- expensive → more expensive / less expensive
- difficult → more difficult / less difficult
- comfortable → more comfortable / less comfortable
- This dress is more expensive than that one.
- English is less difficult than Mandarin.
- My bed is more comfortable than the chair.
- healthy → healthier
- busy → busier
- easy → easier
Sentences:
- She is healthier than last year.
- My schedule is busier than before.
- This test is easier than the last one.
4. Irregular Comparatives (Very Common)
- good → better
- bad → worse
- far → farther / further
- This food is better than yesterday’s food.
- Today is worse than Monday.
5. Important Rule
Always use than after a comparative.
- bigger than
- more interesting than
- less expensive than
Tip to Remember:
- Comparatives are used to compare two things or people.
- Short adjectives (1 syllable): add -er, or double the last consonant if needed.
- Two or more syllables: use more / less.
- Always use than after the comparative:
Practice Exercises
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Comparatives (basic)
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Related Vocabulary
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Comparatives (basic)
A1Comparatives Adjectives
28 wordsfaster
adjective
More quick than something else.
She is a faster runner than her brother.
slower
adjective
Not fast; having little speed.
The turtle is slow.
taller
adjective
Having a greater than average height.
She is taller than her brother.
shorter
adjective
Having a small distance from one end to the other; not long.
The pencil is short, so I need to sharpen it.
younger
older
adjective
Having lived or existed for a longer time than someone or something else.
My brother is older than I am.
dirtier
adjective
Not clean; covered with dirt or stains.
My hands are dirty after playing in the garden.
cleaner
noun
A person or machine that cleans something.
The cleaner comes to our office every morning.
richer
adjective
Having a lot of money or valuable resources.
She is a rich woman who owns several businesses.
poorer
adjective
Having little money or few possessions; not wealthy.
They are poor and need help.
stronger
adjective
Having great physical power or strength.
He is a strong athlete who can lift heavy weights.
weaker
adjective
Not strong or powerful; lacking strength.
The weak branches broke easily in the wind.
easier
adjective
More simple or manageable than something else.
This math problem is easier than the last one.
harder
adjective
Comparative form of 'hard', meaning more difficult or requiring more effort.
This math problem is harder than the last one.
farther
adjective
A comparative form of 'far'; describes a greater distance.
The store is farther away than I thought.
closer
adjective
Nearer in distance or time.
The store is closer than I thought.
bigger
adjective
Used to describe something that has more size, volume, or extent compared to something else.
My house is bigger than yours.
smaller
adjective
Of a size that is less than normal or usual.
I have a small dog that fits in my bag.
hotter
adjective
Having a high temperature; not cool or cold.
The soup is too hot to eat.
colder
adjective
Having a low temperature; not warm.
The water is cold.
heavier
adjective
Having a lot of weight; not light.
The box is too heavy for me to lift.
lighter
noun
A device used for lighting a fire, often used to ignite cigarettes or candles.
I used a lighter to light the campfire.
louder
adjective
Making a lot of noise or sound.
The music is too loud for me.
quieter
adjective
Making little or no noise.
The library is a quiet place to study.
brighter
adjective
Giving off a lot of light; shining.
The sun is very bright today.
darker
adjective
Having little or no light; not bright.
The room is dark without the lights on.
worse
better
adjective
Of a higher standard, quality, or degree.
She is a better singer than her brother.