Comparatives of adjectives - 1
Comparative is the name for the grammar used when comparing two things.
The two basic ways to compare are using as ... as or than.
She's twice as old as her sister.
I'm almost as good in maths as in science.
Russian is not quite as difficult as Chinese.
It's much colder today than it was yesterday.
This grammar topic is easier than most others.
I find science more difficult than mathematics.
Comparisons with as ... as versus comparisons with than:
When comparing with as ... as, the adjective does not change.
When comparing with than, however, some changes are necessary.
Comparatives of adjectives - 2
Comparing with than depends on the number of syllables the adjective has:
Adjectives of one syllable:
1. syllable adjectives: add -er to the adjective
My sister is much taller than me.
It's colder today than it was yesterday.
Note: If the word ends: consonant-vowel-consonant, then the last consonant is usually doubled in the comparative.
big - bigger, fat - fatter, hot - hotter
Adjectives of two syllables ending in -y:
2. syllable adjectives ending in -y: change the -y to -ier
She's looking happier today.
This grammar topic is easier than the last one.
Why is everyone else luckier than me?
Comparatives of adjectives - 3
Beware: Do not confuse adjectives and adverbs.
2-syllable adverbs ending in -y must be compared with the word more.
I drive more quickly (quicklier) than my brother.
Other adjectives with two syllables:
Other 2-syllable adjectives: use more with the unchanged adjective
The shops are always more crowded just before Christmas.
Is there anything more boring than reading about grammar?
My sister is more careful with her writing than I am with mine.
Exceptions to this rule
The comparative of some shorter 2-syllable adjectives can be formed with -er.
- simple - simpler
- clever - cleverer
- narrow - narrower
To be sure which comparative method to use, you will need to consult a good dictionary.
Comparatives of adjectives - 4
Adjectives with three syllables or more:
Adjectives with 3 or more syllables: use more with the unchanged adjective
Russian grammar is more difficult than English grammar.
My sister is much more intelligent than me.
I find maths lessons more enjoyable than science lessons.
Formal forms of the pronouns after comparisons:
Many educated English speakers prefer to use the Subject form of Pronouns plus a verb rather than the Object form without a Verb in comparative sentences, especially in formal situations.
They say, for example, My sister is taller than I am.
The alternative, omitting the verb as in the following examples, is considered to be even more formal and is avoided by most British English speakers: My sister is taller than I.
