Making
Compariso
ns
in English

We often use comparisons because we
want to talk about the differences
between people, places, and things.
Here is an example:
3. Janet’s house is bigger
than Tom’s.
4. 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.

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.

ADJECTIVE COMPARATIVE
Rule . . .
1. Adjectives with one old older than
syllable: big bigger than
add “er” 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: good better than
(memorize) 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.
•“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.
4. 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.

For Additional Explanation and Practice, go to
these websites:
1. Comparative / Superlative Explanation and
Quizzes:
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/regcom.
htm
2. Comparatives Challenge Board Game:
http://www.quia.com/cb/283937.html
If you do these exercises,