Making

Comparisons
in English
 We often use comparisons because we want
to talk about the differences between
people, places, and things.
Here is an example:
1. Janet’s house is bigger than
Tom’s.
2. Tom’s house is a lot smaller
than Janet’s.
3. Janet’s house is fancier and
more elaborate than Tom’s
house.
The comparative forms from the
previous example are:
-bigger than
-smaller than
-fancier than
-more elaborate than

So . . . When do we use “–er” and

when do we use “more?”
How many syllables are the words: “big” and “small?” 1
For 1-syllable adjectives,
JUST add “er” to the end.
Example: Tom is smarter than Joe.

*If the 1-syllable adjective ends with the letter “e,”

JUST add “r” to the end.
Examples: nicer wiser
**If the 1-syllable adjective has a C-V-C pattern,
Double the consonant and add “er.”
Examples: San Francisco is wetter than San Diego.
San Diego is bigger than San Francisco.
For adjectives that end with the letter “y,”
DROP the “y” and add “ier.”
Examples:
Adjective = fancy Janet’s house is fancier than Tom’s.

Adjective = pretty Janet’s house is prettier than Tom’s.

Adjective = friendly Alison is friendlier than Susan.

How many syllables is the word: elaborate? 4
(more than 1)
For adjectives that are 2 or more syllables,
use “more” + the adjective to make the comparative form.
Examples:
Adjective = elaborate
Janet’s house is more elaborate than Tom’s.

Adjective = comfortable
This chair is more comfortable than that chair.
Irregular comparatives:

You MUST memorize these!

Examples:
good = better than far = farther (further) than
bad = worse than

Adjective = good
Sara’s grades are better than Michael’s.
 Grammar Rule:
Never use both MORE and “ER!”

Incorrect:
Lisa’s job is more better than mine.

Correct:
Lisa’s job is better than mine.
 Using “less than”
Sometimes we compare two things by using “less than.”
To do this, use LESS + adjective + THAN
When using “less than,” the adjective DOES NOT CHANGE

Examples:
He is LESS energetic than my other teacher.

This class is LESS crowded than the other one.

New York City is LESS polluted than Los Angeles.

Rule . . . ADJECTIVE COMPARATIVE

1. Adjectives with one syllable: old older than

add “er” big bigger than
cheap cheaper than
2. Adjectives that end friendly friendlier than
in “Y”: busy busier than
drop “Y”, add “ier” easy easier than

3. Adjectives with two or polite more polite than

more syllables: beautiful more beautiful than
use “more” important more important than
4. Irregular forms: (memorize) good better than
bad worse than
far farther/further than
5. Less Than quiet less quiet than
crowded less crowded than
There are a few exceptions with comparative grammar . . .
These are adjectives that don’t follow the basic rules or
that have more than one acceptable form. To learn these,
you must memorize them.

1.“fun” We say: more fun funner

2. “simple” We say: more simple OR simpler

3. “narrow” We say: more narrow OR narrower

4. “quiet” We say: more quiet OR quieter

Try these examples. Use the comparative form.

1. I think Social Studies is _________________ (interesting)

than Math.

2. San Diego is a _____________ (pretty) city than L.A.

3. A dog is usually _______________ (friendly) than a cat.

4. It is _____________ (hot) today than it was yesterday.

5. My cousin is ______________ (rich) than I am.

6. USE LESS: Some people think that Spanish is

__________________ (difficult) than English.