The comparative form of “nice” is nicer. We use comparative adjectives to compare two things or people. In this case, “nicer” indicates that something is more pleasant or agreeable than something else. For example: “This cake is nicer than the one I baked yesterday.”
Understanding Comparative Adjectives
Comparative adjectives are used to show a difference or degree of comparison between two nouns. They describe one thing as having more or less of a quality than another. We typically form comparatives in one of two ways:
- Adding “-er” to the end of the adjective: This rule applies to most one-syllable adjectives and some two-syllable adjectives. For example, “tall” becomes “taller,” “old” becomes “older,” and as we’ve seen, “nice” becomes “nicer.” Other examples:
| Adjective | Comparative |
|---|---|
| small | smaller |
| large | larger |
| quick | quicker |
- Using “more” before the adjective: This is generally used for adjectives with two or more syllables. For example, “beautiful” becomes “more beautiful,” “expensive” becomes “more expensive,” and “interesting” becomes “more interesting.” Other examples:
| Adjective | Comparative |
|---|---|
| intelligent | more intelligent |
| comfortable | more comfortable |
| delicious | more delicious |
When to Use “Nicer”
Use “nicer” when comparing two things and indicating one possesses more of the quality of being “nice.” Here are some examples:
- Comparing People: “He is nicer than his brother.” This suggests that he has a more pleasant personality.
- Comparing Objects: “This house has a nicer garden than the other one.” This implies that the garden is more attractive or well-maintained.
- Comparing Experiences: “The weather today is nicer than yesterday.” This indicates that the weather is more pleasant.
Irregular Comparatives
Some adjectives don’t follow the standard rules for forming comparatives. These are known as irregular comparatives. Common examples include:
| Adjective | Comparative |
|---|---|
| good | better |
| bad | worse |
| far | farther/further |
Beyond Comparative: Superlative Adjectives
When comparing three or more things, we use superlative adjectives. The superlative form of “nice” is nicest. This indicates that something has the most of the quality being compared. For example: “She is the nicest person I know.” This implies she is the most pleasant person out of all the people the speaker knows.
Conclusion
Understanding how to form and use comparative adjectives is crucial for clear and effective communication. “Nicer” is the comparative form of “nice” and is used to compare two things, indicating one is more pleasant than the other. Remember to use “nicest” when comparing three or more things to indicate the most pleasant of all.
