Comparatives: -er or more / less, and where much goes
Level 2 — Grammar
All three compare two things. Look at the colored part.
Why faster but more expensive? Two questions answer everything:
much.)
| Adjective | Rule | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Short (1 syllable) | add -er | fast → faster cheap → cheaper tall → taller |
| Long (2 or more syllables) | more ___ less ___ | expensive → more / less expensive comfortable → more / less comfortable interesting → more / less interesting |
| 2 syllables ending in -y | change y to i, add -er | happy → happier busy → busier |
Class: clap the beats. One clap = -er. Two or more claps = more / less (but -y words: happier). Then sort the words on the next slide.
Clap the syllables. Call out -er or more / less. Then click the card to check.
1. heavy
-er column: heavier — heav-y: 2 syllables, ends in -y.
2. expensive
more / less column: more expensive — ex-pen-sive: 3 syllables.
3. dangerous
more / less column: more dangerous — dan-ger-ous: 3 syllables.
4. slow
-er column: slower — 1 syllable.
5. light
-er column: lighter — 1 syllable.
6. difficult
more / less column: more difficult — dif-fi-cult: 3 syllables.
7. windy
-er column: windier — win-dy: 2 syllables, ends in -y.
8. sunny
-er column: sunnier — sun-ny: 2 syllables, ends in -y.
9. powerful
more / less column: more powerful — pow-er-ful: 3 syllables.
10. short
-er column: shorter — 1 syllable.
[A] + is + much + faster / more expensive / less expensive + than + [B]
much goes right before the comparative. Nowhere else.
Use much only for a BIG difference. No much = a normal or small difference.
| Thing | Price |
|---|---|
| pencil | $1 |
| coffee | $3 |
| shoes | $60 |
| bike | $300 |
| phone | $400 |
| car | $20,000 |
| Way to go | Speed |
|---|---|
| walking | 3 mph |
| bike | 15 mph |
| car | 70 mph |
Start: The laptop is expensive. Say each step out loud, then click.
Step 1. Make it a comparative. Compare it to the phone.
The laptop is more expensive than the phone. ex-pen-sive = 3 syllables, so more, not -er.
Step 2. The difference is big. Add much.
The laptop is much more expensive than the phone. much goes right before more.
Step 3. Now flip it. Start with the phone and use less.
The phone is less expensive than the laptop. Same facts, opposite direction.
Step 4. Add much to the flipped sentence.
The phone is much less expensive than the laptop. much + less + adjective.
Count the syllables in the word in ( ). Click a, b, c, or d.
1. A phone is ____ than a laptop. (light)
2. This chair is ____ than that wooden bench. (comfortable)
3. My backpack is ____ than my suitcase. (small)
4. This magazine is ____ than that newspaper. (interesting)
5. Riding a motorcycle is ____ than driving a truck. (dangerous)
Only ONE sentence in each group is correct. Click it.
6. Which sentence is correct?
7. Which sentence is correct?
8. Which sentence is correct?
9. Which sentence is correct?
10. Which sentence is correct?
| Thing | Price |
|---|---|
| pencil | $1 |
| coffee | $3 |
| shoes | $60 |
| bike | $300 |
| phone | $400 |
| car | $20,000 |
| Way to go | Speed |
|---|---|
| walking | 3 mph |
| bike | 15 mph |
| car | 70 mph |
11. 15 mph and 70 mph — a very big difference. The bike is ____ than the car.
12. $400 and $300 — only $100, a small difference. The phone is ____ than the bike.
13. $3 and $20,000 — a very big difference. The coffee is ____ than the car.
14. 70 mph and 15 mph — a very big difference. The car is ____ than the bike.
| Rule | Example |
|---|---|
| Rule 1 — Count the syllables: 1 syllable → -er; 2 or more → more / less; -y → -ier | tall → taller · expensive → more / less expensive |
| Rule 2 — much goes right before the comparative, and only for a big difference | much taller · much more expensive · much less expensive |
End of Deck — Great work!