Compare two people, places, or things
Level 2 — Grammar
We use a comparative adjective to compare two people, places, or things.
adjective-er + than + Bmore + adjective + than + B
Remember last class? Clap the beats. The number of syllables tells you the rule.
| Syllables | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 syllable | add -er | old → older |
| 1 syllable, ends in -e | add -r | large → larger |
| 1 syllable, consonant-vowel-consonant | double the last letter + -er | wet → wetter |
| 2 syllables, ends in -y | change y → i + -er | easy → easier |
| 2 syllables, no -y | more + adjective | cheerful → more cheerful |
| 3 or more syllables | more + adjective | beautiful → more beautiful |
| irregular | new word | good → better, bad → worse |
Short word (1 syllable) → -er. Long word (3+ syllables) → more. Two syllables? Look at the last letter.
-er-r → large → larger, close → closer-er → wet → wetter, sad → sadder
y to i, then add -erSay it: hap-py → hap-pi-er. The sound is the same. Only the spelling changes.
more + adjectivebetter · bad → worse
Count the syllables. Click the correct comparative.
1. San Diego is ____ than Seattle. (warm)
2. My grandfather's stories are ____ than my father's stories. (funny)
3. The Mississippi River is ____ than the Los Angeles River. (wide)
4. Fruit is ____ than candy. (healthy)
5. This exercise is ____ than the last one. (difficult)
6. The floor is ____ than the table. (low)
7. Soccer is ____ than golf. (exciting)
8. My hands are ____ than your hands. (dirty)
Say the comparative form. Then click to check.
1. dark → ?
darker — 1 syllable: add -er.
2. lazy → ?
lazier — la-zy: 2 syllables, ends in -y: y → i + -er.
3. popular → ?
more popular — pop-u-lar: 3 syllables: more + adjective.
4. fat → ?
fatter — f-a-t: consonant-vowel-consonant: double the t + -er.
5. late → ?
later — ends in -e: add only -r.
6. angry → ?
angrier — an-gry: 2 syllables, ends in -y: y → i + -er.
7. useful → ?
more useful — use-ful: 2 syllables, no -y: more + adjective.
8. rich → ?
richer — 1 syllable: add -er.
Each sentence has one mistake. Say the correct sentence. Then click to check.
1. This rope is more stronger than that rope.
This rope is stronger than that rope. — -er OR more, never both.
2. My uncle's truck is uglyer than my aunt's car.
My uncle's truck is uglier than my aunt's car. — ends in -y: y → i + -er.
3. Honey is sweet than sugar.
Honey is sweeter than sugar. — the adjective needs -er before than.
4. Health is more important then money.
Health is more important than money. — than, not then.
5. My room is cleaner that your room.
My room is cleaner than your room. — than, not that.
6. Pasta is deliciouser than rice.
Pasta is more delicious than rice. — de-li-cious: 3 syllables: more + adjective.
Make a sentence with the adjective in ( ). Then click to check.
1. a drum / a guitar (loud)
A drum is louder than a guitar.
2. the sun / the moon (bright)
The sun is brighter than the moon.
3. a rose / a weed (pretty)
A rose is prettier than a weed.
4. a mountain / a hill (high)
A mountain is higher than a hill.
5. a dictionary / a comic book (helpful)
A dictionary is more helpful than a comic book.
6. 6:00 a.m. / 9:00 a.m. (early)
6:00 a.m. is earlier than 9:00 a.m.
| Remember | Example |
|---|---|
| Compare TWO things. Use than. | My car is older than your car. |
| 1 syllable → -er (double the letter after consonant-vowel-consonant) | old → older, wet → wetter |
| 2 syllables, ends in -y → -ier | easy → easier |
| 2 syllables no -y, 3+ syllables → more | cheerful → more cheerful |
| Irregular | good → better, bad → worse |
| Never -er AND more together | NOT more older |
Next class: the biggest, the most beautiful — superlatives!