Comparative Adjectives
Basics on the topic Comparative Adjectives
Comparison of adjectives: Explanation
"Faster", "farther", "higher". You want to know how to compare adjectives in English? Here you will learn how to form the comparative and superlative of adjectives in English. You need the comparison of adjectives to make comparisons in English.
Comparison of adjectives: Formation
There are two ways in which adjectives can be compared. Which one you use depends on the number of syllables in the adjective.
One-syllable adjectives: Comparison with -er and -est
First, let's look at one-syllable adjectives. How do you compare these? For the first form of comparison (comparative), you add the ending -er to the adjective. For the second form of comparison (superlative), you need the + adjective + the ending -est. Here is an example:
- big – bigger – the biggest
Changes in spelling: In this example, you may have noticed that the spelling has changed. The rules for this are:
- big – bigger – the biggest: The comparative form is spelled with two g. After a short vowel, the consonant must be doubled.
- nice – nicer – the nicest: Words that end with a silent -e do not get an additional -e added to the ending.
Attention: Some two-syllable adjectives are also compared in this way. You can remember that two-syllable adjectives ending in -y, -le, -ow, and -er are compared with -er and -est:
- funny – funnier – the funniest
- simple – simpler – the simplest
- narrow – narrower – the narrowest
- clever – cleverer – the cleverest
Remember: If the adjective ends with the letter -y, it becomes -i in the comparative and superlative.
Multi-syllable adjectives: Comparison with more and most
Now let's take a look at the adjectives which are intensified with more and most. For the first form, the comparative, you need more + adjective. The second form, superlative, is formed with the most + adjective. This rule applies to most adjectives that have more than one syllable; like fantastic, incredible, horrible, interesting. You've already met the exceptions above.
interesting - more interesting - most interesting * famous - more famous - most famous
Comparison of adjectives: irregular formation
Some English adjectives are formed irregularly. You can find out what they are below. You have to learn these forms by heart:
good - better - the best
much/many - more - the most
bad - worse - the worst
little - less - the least
Comparison of adjectives: Summary
In this table you will find the rules for increasing adjectives in English clearly presented and at a glance.
Comparison of adjectives: Exercises
Now you're ready to increase adjectives yourself with our exciting interactive exercises and worksheets. Sofaheld also offers you adventurous exercises for this.
Transcript Comparative Adjectives
"WOW I can't believe how many toys there are!" "I know! I need a skateboard, bike, spaceship, EVERY stuffy in existence, the karaoke machine, soccer ball..." "Pip! You can't possibly have every toy in the store!" "Ugh I KNOW, but how will I decide!?" Let's help Koko and Pip pick out their toys by using... Comparative Adjectives. Adjectives are used to DESCRIBE or MODIFY a noun to help communicate a clearer picture. COMPARATIVE adjectives are used to compare characteristics between TWO nouns, highlighting their differences based on a shared characteristic. When using these, we follow RULES and PATTERNS. The first rule is... if the adjective has ONE syllable, (...) or one single unbroken sound, add the suffix
Comparative Adjectives exercise
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Find the comparative adjectives.
HintsAdjectives are used to describe or modify a noun to help communicate a clearer picture.
Comparative 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 uses er when an adjective has one syllable. You add the suffix er to the end.
The next sentence uses more when an adjective has two or more syllables. You add the word more in front.
The final sentence uses ier when 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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Rules for comparative adjectives.
HintsHere is an example of rule 1: big - bigger
Here is an example of rule 2: energetic - more energetic
Here is an example of rule 3: happy - happier
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 memorize them.
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Comparative Adjectives.
HintsIf the 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.
Solution- 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.
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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. 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 soccer ball.
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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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 rule 1, which says that you add -er to the end of the word.
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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 ladybug 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.
Cotton candy is sweeter than chocolate. If an adjective has one syllable add the suffix er to the end.
haha