English Comparatives

Comparatives are used when comparing two nouns. For example:

Austin is taller than Bobby.

The cake is sweeter than the cookie.

My brother’s phone is more expensive than mine.

Comparatives can also be used to show how a noun changes:

Her room is cleaner than yesterday.

The park is more crowded than before.

Grandpa looks healthier now than last month.

In these sentences, the comparison is between two different points in time, like yesterday and today or last month and now.

How to form comparatives

Words with one syllable

In general, the comparative form of a one-syllable adjective or adverb is created by adding -er to the end of the word:

• dark → darker

• new → newer

• fast → faster

If the adjective or adverb ends with -e, simply add -r:

• close → closer

• large → larger

• nice → nicer

If the word ends with a single vowel and a consonant that isn’t -w or -y, you must double the consonant before adding -er:

• big → bigger

• hot → hotter

• sad → sadder

Words with Two or More Syllables

The comparative form of adjectives with two syllables is a bit trickier. For some, you can still add -er or -r to the end:

• gentle → gentler

• narrow → narrower

• simple → simpler

• stupid → stupider

For two-syllable adjectives that end in -y, change the -y to -i and then add -er:

• angry → angrier

• busy → busier

• happy → happier

However, for many two-syllable adjectives and adverbs, you must add “more” in front of the word and leave it unchanged:

• boring → more boring

• careful → more careful

• quickly → more quickly

Hint: If you’re not sure whether to use -er or “more” with a two-syllable adjective, go with “more”: More simple and more angry are both grammatically correct, for example, but “boringer” and “carefuler” are not.

For all adjectives and adverbs with three or more syllables, again add “more” in front:

• beautiful → more beautiful

• important → more important

• seriously → more seriously

Irregular Words

Some adjectives and adverbs don’t follow the rules above. In such cases, you must memorize their comparative forms:

How to Use Comparatives in Sentences

Often, a sentence involving a comparative adjective uses this structure:

[Subject] + is/was + [comparative adjective] + than + [object]

Here are a few examples:

Bethany is smarter than Nathan.

My purse was cheaper than his bicycle.

Sally’s parents are older than yours.

The general sentence structure for using comparative adverbs is:

[Subject] + [verb] + [comparative adverb] + than + [object]

Here are some examples:

Michelle sings louder than Alison.

He speaks more clearly than his sister.

Remi danced better than Tony.