Learning how to form comparatives is an essential skill for anyone aiming to master the English language. Comparatives allow you to compare two things, showing how one is different from the other in terms of quality, quantity, or degree. This article will guide you through the rules and nuances of forming comparatives, and provide you with plenty of examples to help you understand and use them correctly.
Understanding Comparatives
Comparatives are used to compare two nouns. They are formed by modifying adjectives or adverbs to show a greater or lesser degree of the quality they describe. For example, if you want to compare the height of two people, you might say, “John is taller than Mary.”
Basic Rules for Forming Comparatives
The rules for forming comparatives depend on the length and ending of the adjective or adverb. Here are the basic guidelines:
1. **For one-syllable adjectives**, add -er to the end:
– *Tall* becomes *taller*.
– *Fast* becomes *faster*.
2. **For one-syllable adjectives ending in a single consonant with a single vowel before it**, double the consonant and add -er:
– *Big* becomes *bigger*.
– *Hot* becomes *hotter*.
3. **For two-syllable adjectives ending in -y**, change the -y to -i and add -er:
– *Happy* becomes *happier*.
– *Busy* becomes *busier*.
4. **For adjectives with two or more syllables**, use “more” or “less” before the adjective:
– *Interesting* becomes *more interesting*.
– *Beautiful* becomes *more beautiful*.
– *Expensive* becomes *less expensive*.
5. **For irregular adjectives**, use the specific comparative forms:
– *Good* becomes *better*.
– *Bad* becomes *worse*.
– *Far* becomes *farther* or *further*.
Comparative Adverbs
Adverbs, like adjectives, also have comparative forms. The rules for forming comparative adverbs are similar to those for adjectives:
1. **For one-syllable adverbs**, add -er:
– *Fast* becomes *faster*.
– *Hard* becomes *harder*.
2. **For adverbs ending in -ly**, use “more” or “less”:
– *Quickly* becomes *more quickly*.
– *Slowly* becomes *less slowly*.
3. **For irregular adverbs**, use the specific comparative forms:
– *Well* becomes *better*.
– *Badly* becomes *worse*.
– *Little* becomes *less*.
Using “Than” in Comparatives
When making a comparison between two things, the word “than” is typically used to introduce the second element of the comparison. For example:
– “She is *taller* than her brother.”
– “This book is *more interesting* than the other one.”
Special Cases and Exceptions
While the rules above cover most adjectives and adverbs, there are exceptions and special cases to be aware of:
1. **Adjectives ending in -e**:
– Simply add -r: *Large* becomes *larger*.
2. **Two-syllable adjectives that can take either -er or “more”**:
– Some two-syllable adjectives can form comparatives either way: *Clever* can become *cleverer* or *more clever*.
3. **Adjectives that are comparatives in themselves**:
– Some adjectives inherently express a comparative meaning and do not change form. Examples include *superior*, *inferior*, *senior*, *junior*, and *preferable*.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. **Double comparatives**: Avoid using both -er and “more” together. For example, do not say “more taller” or “more smarter.”
2. **Confusing comparatives and superlatives**: Remember that comparatives are used to compare two things, while superlatives are used to compare three or more. For example, “She is the tallest in the class” (superlative) vs. “She is taller than her sister” (comparative).
Practical Applications of Comparatives
Understanding how to form comparatives is not just about memorizing rules; it’s also about applying them in real-life situations. Here are some practical applications:
Describing People
When talking about people’s characteristics, comparatives are very useful:
– “John is *taller* than Bob.”
– “She is *more intelligent* than her classmates.”
Describing Objects
Comparatives help when comparing features or qualities of different objects:
– “This phone is *cheaper* than that one.”
– “My car is *faster* than yours.”
Describing Experiences
Comparatives can describe your experiences or preferences:
– “Traveling by train is *more comfortable* than traveling by bus.”
– “This movie is *better* than the last one I watched.”
Exercises to Practice Comparatives
To master the use of comparatives, practice is essential. Here are some exercises to help you:
Exercise 1: Form the Comparative
Change the following adjectives into their comparative forms:
1. *Cold*
2. *Short*
3. *Easy*
4. *Important*
5. *Bad*
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences using the comparative form of the adjectives in parentheses:
1. This test is __________ (difficult) than the last one.
2. She is __________ (friendly) than her sister.
3. My house is __________ (big) than yours.
4. This route is __________ (short) than the other one.
5. His story is __________ (interesting) than mine.
Exercise 3: Correct the Mistakes
Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences:
1. This book is more better than that one.
2. She is more friendlier than her brother.
3. My car is more faster than yours.
4. This is the more important decision we need to make.
5. He is more happier now than before.
Answers to Exercises
Exercise 1: Form the Comparative
1. *Colder*
2. *Shorter*
3. *Easier*
4. *More important*
5. *Worse*
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks
1. This test is *more difficult* than the last one.
2. She is *friendlier* than her sister.
3. My house is *bigger* than yours.
4. This route is *shorter* than the other one.
5. His story is *more interesting* than mine.
Exercise 3: Correct the Mistakes
1. This book is *better* than that one.
2. She is *friendlier* than her brother.
3. My car is *faster* than yours.
4. This is the *most important* decision we need to make.
5. He is *happier* now than before.
Advanced Comparatives
Once you have mastered the basic rules, you can move on to more advanced uses of comparatives, including:
Double Comparatives
Double comparatives are used to show that one quality depends on another. They follow the pattern “the + comparative, the + comparative”:
– “The *faster* you drive, the *more dangerous* it is.”
– “The *more* you practice, the *better* you become.”
Comparatives with Nouns
You can also use comparatives with nouns, often with “more” or “fewer”:
– “She has *more books* than I do.”
– “There are *fewer students* in this class than in the other one.”
Comparative Idioms
English is rich in idiomatic expressions that use comparatives. Some common examples include:
– “Older and wiser”
– “Better late than never”
– “More than meets the eye”
Conclusion
Mastering comparatives is a fundamental part of learning English that will greatly enhance your ability to express differences and preferences. By understanding the rules and practicing regularly, you can become confident in using comparatives in a variety of contexts. Remember, language learning is a gradual process, and the more you practice, the more proficient you will become. So, keep practicing, and soon you will find yourself using comparatives naturally and effortlessly.
