Comparative Adjectives

Level: Beginner-Intermediate

We use comparative adjectives to show change or make comparisons. Comparative adjectives are used to compare differences between the two objects they modify. They are used in sentences where two nouns are compared, in this pattern.

Noun (subject) + verb + comparative adjective + than + noun (object).

• We use “than” when we want to compare one thing with another.

He is three years younger than me.
She is a better dancer than Mary.
Russia is a bigger country than France.
(The second item of comparison can be omitted if it is clear from the context.)

• We use comparative adjectives to show change or make comparisons.

This car is better, but it’s much more expensive.
I’m feeling better now.
We need a bigger car.

There are two ways to form a comparative adjective:

Short Adjectives Comparative

• For 1-syllable adjectives, simply add -er.

tall → taller

Mary is taller than Jenny.
fast → faster

I run faster than you.
old → older

My grandpa is older than my grandma.

• 2-syllable adjectives ending in -y, change the y to “i”.

lucky → luckier

My friend is luckier than me in the lottery.
tidy → tidier

I hope they make the community a tidier place to live in.
happy → happier

I am happier when I’m with you.

• If the adjective ends in -e, just add -r

late → later
large → larger
strange → stranger
wise → wiser

I arrived at school later today than yesterday.
My bag is larger than yours.
My dream tonight is stranger than my dream last night.
I am wiser now.

• If the adjective ends in consonant, vowel, consonant, double the last consonant.

big → bigger

I gained weight so I wear bigger shirts now.
fat → fatter
My cat is fatter than your cat.

Long Adjectives Comparative

• For 2-syllable adjectives, simply add “more” before the positive adjective.

modern → more modern
I like the second house. It’s more modern than the other one.

pleasant → more pleasant
The weather is more pleasant today than yesterday.

For all adjectives of 3 or more syllables, also add more before the positive adjective.

expensive → more expensive

The yellow car is more expensive than the green one.
intelligent → more intelligent
He is more intelligent than his brother.

• The following adjectives are exception to the previously mentioned rules because they have irregular forms.

good → better
That cake tastes good. → This cake tastes better.

bad → worse

The weather today is bad. → The weather today is worse than yesterday.

far → farther/further
His house is far. → Her house is farther.