When describing food, we often use the word “delicious.” But how do we compare one delicious dish to another? That’s where comparative adjectives come in. This article will explore how to form the comparative of “delicious” and delve into the broader topic of comparative adjectives in English.
Forming the Comparative of “Delicious”
“Delicious” is a three-syllable adjective. To form its comparative, we add “more” before the base adjective. Therefore, the comparative of “delicious” is “more delicious.” We use “more delicious” when comparing two things, indicating that one possesses the quality of deliciousness to a greater extent than the other. For example:
- “This cake is more delicious than the pie.”
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Comparative Adjectives: A Deeper Dive
Comparative adjectives allow us to compare two nouns. They indicate which noun possesses a particular quality to a greater or lesser degree. The formation of comparative adjectives follows specific rules based on the number of syllables in the base adjective:
One-Syllable Adjectives:
- Generally, add “-er” to the end of the adjective. (e.g., tall – taller, cold – colder)
- If the adjective ends in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel, double the consonant before adding “-er”. (e.g., hot – hotter, big – bigger)
- If the adjective ends in “-e,” simply add “-r.” (e.g., wide – wider, late – later)
Two-Syllable Adjectives:
- If the adjective ends in “-y,” change the “y” to “i” and add “-er.” (e.g., happy – happier, easy – easier)
- For most other two-syllable adjectives, use “more” before the adjective. (e.g., modern – more modern, famous – more famous)
Three or More Syllable Adjectives:
- Always use “more” before the adjective. (e.g., interesting – more interesting, comfortable – more comfortable, delicious – more delicious)
Using “Than” with Comparative Adjectives
The word “than” often follows a comparative adjective to clarify the comparison being made. It directly connects the two things being compared.
- “The chocolate cake is more delicious than the vanilla cake.”
Irregular Comparative Adjectives
Some adjectives have irregular comparative forms that don’t follow the standard rules. These need to be memorized:
- good – better
- bad – worse
- little – less
- much/many – more
Conclusion
Understanding how to form and use comparative adjectives is essential for clear and effective communication in English. Remembering the rules and exceptions, particularly for adjectives like “delicious,” will enhance your ability to describe and compare things accurately. While “more delicious” allows us to compare two tasty treats, exploring the rules of comparative adjectives expands our vocabulary and strengthens our overall language skills.
