Mastering Comparative Adjectives in English with Examples

Comparative adjectives are an essential part of language that enable us to compare two or more things. Whether we want to express the difference in size between two animals or the similarity in personality between two people, comparative adjectives help us to convey the degree of difference or similarity between them.

In this article, we will explore the concept of comparative adjectives, their various types, and how they can be used effectively in writing and speech. So, let’s embark on a journey into the world of comparative adjectives and discover how they can elevate our language.

Understanding Comparative Adjectives

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Comparative adjectives are a type of adjective used to compare two things or show change. They are used to describe how one thing is different from another thing. When we compare two things, we use comparative forms of adjectives.

Comparative adjectives can be formed in different ways depending on the number of syllables in the adjective. For adjectives with one syllable, we usually add -er to the end of the adjective. For example, “old” becomes “older,” “clean” becomes “cleaner,” and “slow” becomes “slower.” If the adjective ends in -e, we just add -r.

For adjectives with two or more syllables, we use the word “more” before the adjective to form the comparative. For example, “beautiful” becomes “more beautiful” and “interesting” becomes “more interesting.”

Comparative adjectives can also be formed using irregular comparative forms. For example, “good” becomes “better,” “bad” becomes “worse,” and “far” becomes “farther” or “further.”

Forming Comparative Adjectives

One-Syllable Adjectives

1. When dealing with one-syllable adjectives, the comparative form is typically created by adding -er to the end of the adjective. For example:

• old – older
• clean – cleaner
• slow – slower

2. If the adjective ends in -e, simply add -r:

• safe – safer
• nice – nicer

3. For adjectives that end in a vowel followed by a consonant, the consonant is usually doubled before adding -er:

• big – bigger
• hot – hotter

Two-syllable Adjectives

1. With most two-syllable adjectives, you form the comparative with more.

Examples:

• honest – more honest
• famous – more famous

2. If the two-syllable adjectives ends with –y, change the y to i and add –er for the comparative form.

Examples:

• happy – happier
• crazy – crazier

3. Two-syllable adjectives ending in –er, –le, or –ow take –er to form the comparative forms.

Examples:

• narrow – narrower
• gentle – gentler

Adjectives with Three or More Syllables

Add more to adjectives that has 3 or more syllables.

Examples:

• expensive – more expensive
• difficult – more difficult

Irregular Adjectives

• good – better
• bad – worse
• far – farther
• little – less
• many – more

NOTE: When comparative adjectives are used, the word “THAN” appears after the adjective.

Common Errors in Comparative Adjectives

Incorrect Formation

One common error with comparative adjectives is the incorrect formation of the comparative form. To form a comparative adjective, add “-er” for one-syllable adjectives and use “more” before multi-syllable adjectives. For example, “fast” becomes “faster” and “beautiful” becomes “more beautiful.” Mixing these two forms may result in errors like “fastest” instead of “more fast” or “beautifuler” instead of “more beautiful.”

Double Comparisons

Another issue is double comparisons, where both “-er” and “more” are used in the same adjective. Examples of this error include “more faster” or “more easier.” To correct this error, use either “-er” or “more” but not both.

Misuse of Irregular Comparative Adjectives

Misuse of irregular comparative adjectives is another common mistake. Some adjectives have irregular comparative forms, like “good” which becomes “better” and “bad” which becomes “worse.” Using regular comparative forms for these irregular adjectives can lead to errors like “gooder” instead of “better” or “badder” instead of “worse.”

Additional Errors

Additional errors may include:

• Failing to use “than” when comparing two items: Correct usage is “This car is faster than the other one,” not “This car is faster the other one.”
• Using the wrong form of an adjective for comparison: Use the comparative form when comparing two items, not the base or superlative form. For example, avoid saying “This car is fastest the other one” or “This car is fast the other one.”
• Comparing non-quantifiable adjectives: Some adjectives cannot be compared, such as “unique” or “perfect.” Attempting to create comparative forms for these words can lead to errors like “more unique” or “more perfect.”

Examples of Comparative Adjectives

Examples in Context

Here are some examples which illustrate how comparative adjectives can be used in different contexts:

• This autumn has been colder than any other one I can remember!
• That dress is nicer than mine!
• Bigger isn’t always better – my new phone fits perfectly in my pocket even though it’s smaller than my previous one!
• Tom’s decision-making skills were much quicker than mine!
• This dessert tastes sweeter than I thought it would!

List of Comparative Adjectives

List of affirmative and comparative adjectives in English.

Forming Comparatives | Images

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do we form the comparative of an adjective?

To form the comparative of an adjective, follow these rules:

• For one-syllable adjectives, add -er: clean → cleaner, slow → slower.
• For adjectives ending in -e, add -r: safe → safer, nice → nicer.
• For adjectives ending in a vowel plus a consonant, usually double the consonant: big → bigger, hot → hotter.
• For two-syllable adjectives ending in -y, change -y to -i and add -er: noisy → noisier.
• For adjectives with two or more syllables, add the word more before the adjective: more expensive, more interesting.

When should we use comparative adjectives?

Use comparative adjectives when comparing two things, people or qualities. They help express the difference between the two. For example: This apple is sweeter than that one. His car is faster than mine.

What are some irregular comparative adjectives?

Some adjectives have irregular comparative forms that do not follow the general rules. Examples include: good → better, bad → worse, far → farther/further.

How can we compare two things using adjectives?

When comparing two things using adjectives, use the comparative form of the adjective followed by the word than. For example: This cake is tastier than that one. Her computer is more advanced than his.

What is the difference between comparative and superlative forms?

Comparative forms describe the difference between two items, while superlative forms indicate the highest or lowest degree among three or more items. For example: His coat is warmer than mine (comparative); This is the warmest coat (superlative).

Are there any exceptions to the general rules for forming comparatives?

Yes, there can be exceptions to the general rules for forming comparative adjectives, especially with irregular adjectives like good, bad, and far. It is essential to be familiar with these exceptions in order to use them correctly in context.

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