Adjectives are words that describe nouns, making our language richer and more descriptive. Beyond simply describing qualities like “beautiful” or “big,” adjectives also play a crucial role in comparisons. This is where comparative adjectives come in, allowing us to show how two things stack up against each other. Understanding how to construct Sentences Using Comparative adjectives is fundamental for clear and effective communication in English.
What are Comparative Adjectives?
In English grammar, the comparative form of an adjective is used to compare two nouns. It indicates that one noun has more of a particular quality than the other. Think of it as placing items on a scale to see which one is “more” something. This “more” can relate to size, age, beauty, intelligence, and countless other qualities. Essentially, comparative adjectives help us express differences and relationships between two things.
For example, instead of just saying “This car is fast” and “That car is fast,” a comparative sentence allows us to say “This car is faster than that car,” highlighting the difference in speed between the two.
Forming Comparative Adjectives: The Basics
Creating comparative adjectives is generally done in two main ways, depending on the length and structure of the adjective itself. Let’s break down these methods:
Adding “-er” to Adjectives:
For many shorter adjectives, especially those with one syllable, we form the comparative by simply adding “-er” to the end of the word.
Rule: Add “-er” to the positive form of the adjective.
| Positive | Comparative | Example Sentence Using Comparative |
|---|---|---|
| Long | Longer | This movie is longer than the book it’s based on. |
| Short | Shorter | She is shorter than her brother. |
| Tall | Taller | The building on the left is taller than the one on the right. |
| Fast | Faster | A cheetah is faster than a lion. |
| Big | Bigger | An elephant is bigger than a horse. |
| Small | Smaller | A mouse is smaller than a cat. |
| Old | Older | My brother is older than me. |
| Young | Younger | She looks younger than she is. |
| Hard | Harder | This exam is harder than the last one. |
| Soft | Softer | Cotton is softer than wool. |
| High | Higher | The mountains are higher than the hills. |
| Low | Lower | The temperature today is lower than yesterday. |
| Near | Nearer | The school is nearer to my house than the park. |
| Far | Farther/Further | The airport is farther from the city center than the train station. |
Forming and Spelling Exceptions when adding “-er”:
- Words ending in “e”: Just add “-r”.
- Example: Positive: large, Comparative: larger (This box is larger than that one.)
- Words with one vowel and one consonant at the end: Double the consonant and add “-er”.
- Example: Positive: big, Comparative: bigger (My dog is bigger than yours.)
- Words ending in “y”: Change “y” to “i” and add “-er”.
- Example: Positive: pretty, Comparative: prettier (This flower is prettier than the other.)
Using “more” with Adjectives:
Longer adjectives, typically those with two or more syllables (especially those not ending in “-y”), usually form their comparative by placing the word “more” before the positive form of the adjective.
Rule: Add “more” before the adjective.
| Positive | Comparative | Example Sentence Using Comparative |
|---|---|---|
| Beautiful | More beautiful | This painting is more beautiful than that one. |
| Intelligent | More intelligent | She is more intelligent than her classmates. |
| Interesting | More interesting | History is more interesting to me than math. |
| Charming | More charming | He is more charming than his brother. |
| Powerful | More powerful | A computer is more powerful than a typewriter. |
| Comfortable | More comfortable | This chair is more comfortable than that stool. |
| Expensive | More expensive | Flying is more expensive than taking the train. |
| Difficult | More difficult | Learning to play the guitar is more difficult than learning to ride a bike. |
| Exciting | More exciting | Action movies are more exciting than documentaries for some people. |
| Informative | More informative | This lecture was more informative than the last one. |
Two-Syllable Adjectives – When to use “-er” or “more”:
While the general rule is “more” for longer adjectives, some two-syllable adjectives can take either “-er” or “more,” or sometimes only “-er.” A good guideline is:
- Two-syllable adjectives ending in “-y,” “-er,” “-ow,” or “-le”: Usually take “-er”. (e.g., happy – happier, clever – cleverer, narrow – narrower, simple – simpler)
- Other two-syllable adjectives: Often take “more,” but usage can vary, and some might accept both. (e.g., polite – more polite, but also sometimes politer, though less common). When in doubt, “more” is generally safer for two-syllable adjectives not ending in “-y,” “-er,” “-ow,” or “-le.”
Using “Than” in Comparative Sentences
A key word in constructing sentences using comparative adjectives is “than.” It’s used to introduce the second item being compared. “Than” comes after the comparative adjective and before the noun or pronoun being compared to.
Structure: Noun 1 + Verb + Comparative Adjective + than + Noun 2
Examples:
- Apples are tastier than oranges.
- My house is bigger than yours.
- She is more confident than she used to be.
- This book is more interesting than that one.
- He is taller than his sister.
Beyond Comparative: Positive and Superlative Forms
While this article focuses on sentences using comparative adjectives, it’s helpful to briefly understand the other degrees of comparison:
- Positive Form: This is the base form of the adjective, used when there is no comparison being made, or when stating that two things are equal. (e.g., “This book is long.”) We also use “as…as” for comparisons of equality: “Danny is as smart as Phillip.”
- Superlative Form: This form expresses the highest degree of a quality, indicating that something is the “most” or “least” among a group. Superlatives are formed with “-est” or “most” (similar rules to comparatives, but using “-est” instead of “-er” and “most” instead of “more”). (e.g., “This is the longest book.”) Superlatives are often preceded by “the.”
Understanding all three forms—positive, comparative, and superlative—provides a complete picture of adjective comparison.
Irregular Comparative Adjectives: Exceptions to the Rules
Like many grammar rules in English, there are exceptions! Some adjectives have irregular comparative and superlative forms that you simply need to memorize. These are common words, so you’ll encounter them frequently.
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative | Example Sentence Using Comparative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Better | Best | My cooking is better than takeout. |
| Bad | Worse | Worst | The weather today is worse than yesterday. |
| Little | Less | Least | I have less time today than I did yesterday. |
| Much/Many | More | Most | I have more books than my brother. |
| Far | Further/Farther | Furthest/Farthest | Mars is further from the sun than Earth. |
It’s important to learn these irregular forms to use comparative sentences correctly.
Common Mistakes When Using Comparative Sentences
- Double Comparatives: Avoid using both “more” and “-er” together (e.g., not “more bigger,” just “bigger”).
- Incorrect Word Choice: Make sure you’re using the correct comparative form for each adjective (check the rules for “-er” vs. “more”).
- Misusing “Than”: Remember to use “than” for comparisons, not “then.” “Then” relates to time sequence.
- Forgetting Irregular Forms: Be mindful of the irregular adjectives and their unique comparative forms.
Practice Exercises: Sentences Using Comparative Adjectives
Test your understanding with these exercises! Choose the correct comparative adjective to complete each sentence.
- My new phone is ___ than my old one. (fast / faster / fastest)
- This coffee is ___ than the coffee I made yesterday. (strong / stronger / strongest)
- Learning a new language is often ___ than learning a musical instrument. (difficult / more difficult / most difficult)
- She is ___ at math than her brother. (good / better / best)
- The blue car is ___ than the red car. (expensive / more expensive / most expensive)
- My garden is ___ this year because of the rain. (green / greener / greenest)
- He is ___ now that he has found a new job. (happy / happier / happiest)
- This book is ___ than I expected. (thin / thinner / thinnest)
- Traveling by train is often ___ than flying. (comfortable / more comfortable / most comfortable)
- She is ___ than anyone else in the class. (intelligent / more intelligent / most intelligent)
Answers: 1. faster, 2. stronger, 3. more difficult, 4. better, 5. more expensive, 6. greener, 7. happier, 8. thinner, 9. more comfortable, 10. more intelligent
By understanding the rules and practicing regularly, you can master sentences using comparative adjectives and enhance your English communication skills. Remember to pay attention to adjective length, spelling rules, and irregular forms for accurate and impactful comparisons!
