Try 30 days for free

Discover why over 1.2 MILLION students choose sofatutor!

Comparative Adjectives

Rating

Ø 3.0 / 2 ratings
The authors
Avatar
Team Digital
Comparative Adjectives
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1G

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 to the end. For example, Pip wants to compare the sizes of the play tents using the adjective 'tall'. Since 'tall' has one syllable... it changes to the comparative form by adding the suffix , making it 'taller'. This Palace tent is TALLER than the Bakery tent. The second rule is... if the adjective has TWO or more syllables, (...) add the word 'MORE' in front. For example, Koko wants to compare two stuffies using the adjective precious. What is the comparative form of 'precious'? (...) MORE precious. This elephant stuffy is MORE precious than this bear. The next rule is... if the adjective has TWO syllables (...) and ends with , we drop the and add the suffix to end. If Pip wants to compare how CREEPY the big foot costume is to the alien one, what should he do? (...) He needs to make the comparative form of creepy. What is the comparative form of the adjective creepy? (...) CREEPIER, the Big Foot costume is creepier than the alien costume. However, there are some adjectives that don't follow ANY of these rules (...) we call these IRREGULAR comparative adjectives. That means, we need to memorize how to make each of these comparative! Here are SOME examples: changing old to older or elder...(...) bad to worse...(...) far to further or farther...(...) little to less...(...) many or much to more...(...) and good to better. For example, Koko thinks the rainbow lollipop is better than the cloud lollipop. Before we see Koko and Pip's final choices, let's summarize! Remember,(...) COMPARATIVE adjectives are used to compare characteristics between TWO nouns, highlighting their differences based on a shared characteristic. Regular comparative adjectives follow rules and patterns... while irregular comparative adjectives don't follow any rules, so we need to memorize how to make each of these comparative! "Okay, PHEW I think I'm finally ready! KOKO!?" "OHHH! Phew, that was peculiar."

1 comment
1 comment
  1. haha

    From Lucas Scott Kerley, about 2 months ago

Comparative Adjectives exercise

Would you like to apply the knowledge you’ve learned? You can review and practice it with the tasks for the video Comparative Adjectives.
  • Find the comparative adjectives.

    Hints

    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.

    Here is an example of a comparative adjective:

    Beth is taller than Nick.

    Solution

    The 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.

  • Rules for comparative adjectives.

    Hints

    Here 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.
  • Comparative Adjectives.

    Hints

    If 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.
  • Comparing bouncy balls.

    Hints

    What 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.

    Solution

    The 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.

  • Pip compares dinosaurs.

    Hints

    How many syllables are in the word, strong?

    If the adjective has one syllable or one single unbroken sound add the suffix -er.

    Solution

    Pip 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.

  • Can you make comparative adjectives?

    Hints

    If 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.

    Solution

    The 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.