Comparative

Comparative

1. The comparative is used in English to compare differences between the two objects it modifies (larger, smaller, faster, higher). It is used in sentences where we compare two names, as follows:

   • formula: Name (subject) + verb + adjective in comparative degree + than + noun (object).
     • Examples: my house is bigger than hers. This box is smaller than the one I lost.
     • Adjectives of three syllables or more
       • Adjectives of three syllables or more form the comparative by placing more or less before the adjective and the superlative by placing most.
         • adjective
           • important
             • expensive
         • comparative
           • less important
             • more expensive
     • Two syllable adjectives
       • Two-syllable adjectives can form the comparative by adding -er, like one-syllable adjectives, or by placing more in front of the adjective, as with three-syllables.
         • adjective
           • happy
             • simple
               • busy
         • comparative
           • happier
             • simpler
               • busier
     • One-syllable adjectives
       • Add -er for comparative and -est for superlative. If the adjective ends in consonant + vowel + consonant, the last consonant must be repeated before adding the ending.
         • adjective
           • tall
             • big
               • sad
         • comparative
           • taller
             • bigger
               • sadder
     • Irregular comparatives and superlatives
       • Some very ordinary adjectives have irregular shapes in the comparative degrees.
         • adjective
           • good
             • bad
               • far
         • comparative
           • better
             • worse
               • further / farther