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Comparative Adjectives

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Basics on the topic Comparative Adjectives

Comparative Adjectives – Definition

When describing objects or giving an opinion about something, we use adjectives to communicate more clearly. We use comparative adjectives to compare things and their characteristics. Before learning about comparative adjectives, let’s look at the definition for adjectives first:

Adjectives are words that we use to describe or modify nouns in order to communicate a clearer picture. Some examples of adjectives are: warm, happy, mysterious, surprising.

There are different types of adjectives for different purposes. Comparative adjectives are a special kind of adjectives:

Comparative adjectives are used to compare characteristics of two nouns by highlighting their differences based on a shared characteristic.

25736_Comparative_Adjectives-02.svg

For example, if we want to compare two books on how thick they are, we might say: This book is thicker than the other.

Comparative Adjectives – Grammar Rules

There are certain rules that we need to follow when forming comparative adjectives.

If an adjective has one syllable, we need to add suffix -er to the end of the word. For example:

Adjective Superlative
cold colder
tall taller
high higher
quick quicker

If we want to compare two months using the adjective cold, we can say: March is colder than July.

If an adjective with one syllable ends with a single consonant and a vowel before it, we need to double the consonant before adding the suffix -er:

Adjective Comparative
big bigger
thin thinner
hot hotter
sad sadder

For example, let’s compare two notebooks using the adjective thin: The yellow notebook is thinner than the green one.

If an adjective has two or more syllables, we have to add the word more before the adjective.

Adjective Comparative
interesting more interesting
surprising more surprising
loyal more loyal
expensive more expensive

For example, we can compare two films using the adjective interesting: The original film is more interesting than the remake.*

If an adjective has two syllables and ends with -y, we drop the -y and add the suffix -ier at the end. For example:

Adjective Comparative
happy happier
hungry hungrier
busy busier
healthy healthier

If we want to compare two people using the adjective busy, we can say: My sister is busier than my brother.

Irregular Comparative Adjectives – List

Even though most comparative adjectives follow standard rules, there are some that do not. They are called irregular comparative adjectives. They do not follow any of the rules, and we need to memorise each of them to use them correctly. Here is the list of irregular comparative adjectives:

Adjective Comparative
good better
bad worse
old older or elder
far farther or further
little less
many or much more

For example, we can compare two puddings using the adjective good: I think apple pie is better than blueberry pie.*

Comparative Adjectives vs. Superlative Adjectives

Apart from comparative adjectives that compare two nouns, there are superlative adjectives that are used to compare characteristics between more than two nouns, highlighting their differences based on a shared characteristic. For example, we can compare several dresses using the superlative adjective long: The red dress is the longest dress in my wardrobe.

To find out more, watch this video about superlative adjectives.

Comparative Adjectives – Summary

Now let’s review what we have learnt about comparative adjectives.

Comparative adjectives are used to compare characteristics between two nouns, highlighting their differences based on a shared characteristic.

Most comparative adjectives follow standard rules and patterns: * If an adjective has one syllable, we add suffix -er to the end of the word. * If an adjective has one syllable, and ends in a single consonant and a vowel before it double the consonant before adding the suffix -er. * If an adjective has two or more syllables, we add the word more before the adjective. * If an adjective has two syllables and ends with -y, we drop the -y and add the suffix -ier at the end.

Irregular comparative adjectives do not follow any rules, so we need to memorise them:

25736_Comparative_Adjectives-01.svg

Now you know how to use comparative adjectives. To practise more, check out our video, activities, and regular and irregular comparative adjectives worksheet for kids!

Frequently Asked Questions about Comparative Adjectives

What are comparative adjectives?
How do you identify comparative adjectives?
What are comparative adjectives examples?
What are some examples of irregular comparative adjectives?
What are some comparative adjectives sentences?

Comparative Adjectives exercise

Would you like to apply the knowledge you’ve learnt? You can review and practice it with the tasks for the video Comparative Adjectives.
  • Find the comparative adjectives.

    Hints

    Comparative adjectives are used to compare characteristics between two nouns, highlighting their differences based on a shared characteristic.

    Here is an example of a comparative adjective:

    Beth is taller than Nick.

    Solution

    The first sentence includes the adjective long which is an adjective that has one syllable. In this case, you add the suffix er to the end.

    • long becomes longer
    The next sentence includes the adjective interesting which is an adjective that has two or more syllables. In this case, you add the word more or less in front.
    • interesting becomes more interesting
    The final sentence includes the adjective hungry which is an adjective that has two syllables and ends with y. In this case, you drop the y and add the suffix ier to the end.
    • hungry becomes hungrier

  • Rules for comparative adjectives.

    Hints

    Here is an example of rule 1:

    sweet - sweeter

    Here is an example of rule 2:

    energetic - more energetic

    Here is an example of rule 3:

    happy - happier

    Here is an example of rule 4:

    good - better

    Solution
    • If the adjective has one syllable or one single unbroken sound, add the suffix -er to the end.
    • If the adjective has two or more syllables, add the word more in front.
    • If the adjective has two syllables and ends with y, we drop the y and add the suffix -ier to the end.
    • Irregular comparative adjectives don’t follow those rules so we memorise them.
  • Comparing bouncy balls.

    Hints

    What rule should you follow since the word ends with the letter y?

    If an adjective has two syllables and ends with y, you drop the y and add the suffix -ier to the end.

    An example of another word with two syllables that ends with a 'y' is busy.

    Drop the y and add the suffix ier to the end.

    The comparative adjective is busier.

    Solution

    The comparative adjective of bouncy is bouncier. The orange ball is bouncier than the football.

    If an adjective has two syllables and ends with y, you drop the y and add the suffix -ier to the end.

  • How do we make these adjectives comparative?

    Hints

    If the adjective has one syllable, add the suffix -er to the end e.g. kind becomes kinder.

    If an adjective has two or more syllables, add the word more or less in front e.g. colourful becomes more colourful.

    If an adjective has more than one syllable and ends with y, drop the y and add -ier e.g. smelly becomes smellier.

    You should assign two words to each group.

    Solution

    Add -er to the end

    • Fast has one syllable so the comparative adjective is faster.
    • Smart has one syllable so the comparative adjective is smarter.
    Put more or less in front
    • Boring has more than one syllable so the comparative adjective is more boring.
    • Beautiful has more than one syllable so the comparative adjective is more beautiful.
    Add -ier to the end
    • Curvy has more than one syllable and ends with y, so we drop the y and add -ier to make the comparative adjective curvier.
    • Friendly has more than one syllable and ends with y, so we drop the y and add -ier to make the comparative adjective friendlier.

  • Pip compares dinosaurs.

    Hints

    How many syllables are in the word, strong?

    If the adjective has one syllable or one single unbroken sound, add the suffix -er.

    Solution

    Pip thinks that the green dinosaur is stronger than the pink one.

    Strong is one syllable, so you follow the rule which says that you add -er to the end of the word.

    strong - stronger

  • Can you make comparative adjectives?

    Hints

    If an adjective has one syllable, add the suffix -er to the end.

    If an adjective has two or more syllables, add the word more in front.

    If an adjective has two syllables and ends with y, drop the y and add the suffix -ier to the end.

    Solution

    The ladybird is bigger than the ant. If an adjective has one syllable, add the suffix -er to the end.

    Jake's bedroom floor is messier than Zeke's. If an adjective has two syllables and ends with y, drop the y and add the suffix -ier to the end.

    Jasmin is more tired than Nate. If an adjective has two or more syllables, add the word more in front.

    He thinks that candy floss is tastier than chocolate. If an adjective has two syllables and ends with y, drop the y and add the suffix -ier to the end.