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.
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:
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
Comparative Adjectives exercise
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Find the comparative adjectives.
HintsComparative 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.
SolutionThe 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
- interesting becomes more interesting
- hungry becomes hungrier
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Rules for comparative adjectives.
HintsHere 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.
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Comparing bouncy balls.
HintsWhat 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.
SolutionThe 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.
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How do we make these adjectives comparative?
HintsIf 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.
SolutionAdd -er to the end
- Fast has one syllable so the comparative adjective is faster.
- Smart has one syllable so the comparative adjective is smarter.
- 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.
- 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.
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Pip compares dinosaurs.
HintsHow many syllables are in the word, strong?
If the adjective has one syllable or one single unbroken sound, add the suffix -er.
SolutionPip 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?
HintsIf 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.
SolutionThe 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.
Above, Below & Beside
Simple Preposition Words
What Are Verbs?
Describing Words (Adjectives)
Comparative Adjectives
Synonyms
Synonyms — Let's Practise!
Opposite Words (Antonyms)
Antonyms — Let's Practise!
What are personal pronouns?
What are Personal Pronouns?— Let’s Practise!
Regular and Irregular Plural Nouns (-s, -es, -ies)
Irregular Plural Nouns
Pronoun Verb Agreement
Closely Related Verbs
What is a Preposition?
What is a proper noun?
Identifying Prepositional Phrases
What are Abstract Nouns?
Concrete Noun or Abstract Noun? — Let’s Practise!
Collective Nouns— Let’s Practise!
What are Possessive Pronouns?
What are Possessive Pronouns?— Let’s Practise!
Relative Pronouns: Who, Whose, Whom, Which and That
Closey Related Adjectives
Connecting Ideas with Conjunctions — Let's Practise!
Superlative Adverbs
Comparative Adverbs
Modal Verbs
Superlative Adjectives
