COMPARATIVE ADJECTIVES (A2 Grammar)

Use comparatives to compare TWO things. Form depends on adjective length.

Quick tip: 1 syllable = -ER. 2-syllable ending in -Y = change Y to -IER. 3+ syllables = MORE. Irregular: good/bad/far.

Short adjectives: add -ER + THAN

One-syllable adjectives: add -er and use than.

• tall - taller than (She is taller than me.)
• fast - faster than (Cars are faster than bikes.)
• old - older than (My dad is older than mom.)
• cheap - cheaper than (This is cheaper than that.)

Long adjectives: MORE + adjective + THAN

Three or more syllables: use more before the adjective.

• expensive - more expensive than
• interesting - more interesting than
• difficult - more difficult than
• beautiful - more beautiful than

2-syllable adjectives ending in -Y: change Y to -IER

Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y: change y to i and add -er.

• heavy - heavier than (This box is heavier than that one.)
• easy - easier than (Math is easier than physics.)
• happy - happier than (She is happier than before.)
• busy - busier than (Mondays are busier than Fridays.)

Irregular comparatives (memorize!)

Common adjectives with irregular forms. Must memorize.

• good - better than
• bad - worse than
• far - farther/further than
• much/many - more than

Common mistakes

• Not "more big" — say "bigger". Big = 1 syllable, use -ER.
• Not "more heavy" — say "heavier". Heavy = 2 syllables ending in -y, change y to -ier.
• Not "gooder" — say "better". Good is irregular.

Practise it

Count syllables! 1 = add -ER. 2-syllable ending in -Y = change Y to -IER. 3+ = use MORE. Check for irregular forms.