This document provides information on forming comparative adjectives in English. It discusses using comparative adjectives to compare two people, places or things. It presents charts showing how to form comparatives based on the number of syllables in the adjective and spelling rules for adding "-er". Examples are also given to illustrate comparative adjective usage and formation.

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Copyright 2018, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. (VERSION 2.0)
Grammar & Usage
Comparative
Adjectives
Use
Use comparative adjectives to compare two people, places, or things.
Form
A. Chart
Number of Syllables Form Example
one Adj + -er tall + -er = taller
two
(ending in -y)
-y changes to -i + -er happy + -er = happier
two
(not ending in -y)
more + Adj more + famous = more famous
three or more more + Adj more + beautiful = more beautiful
B. Examples
1. Maria is taller than Jack.
2. I feel happier today than I did yesterday.
3. The lead actor on that show is more famous than the lead actress.
4. Sunsets at the beach are more beautiful than sunsets in the city.

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Comparative Adjectives
Grammar & Usage
Copyright 2018, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. (VERSION 2.0)
Spelling Rules for Adding -er
A. Chart
Rule # Spelling Rule Example
1 If the adjective ends in -e, add -r.
• nice  nicer
• safe  safer
• large  larger
2
If the adjective ends in a consonant-vowel-consonant
(CVC) pattern, double the final consonant and add -er.
• big  bigger
• wet  wetter
• flat  flatter
3
If the adjective ends with a consonant + -y,
change -y to -i and add -er.
• easy  easier
• funny  funnier
• pretty  prettier
4 For all other adjectives, add -er.
• tall  taller
• soft  softer
• loud  louder
B. Examples
1. The hotel room is larger than my bedroom at home.
2. An elephant is bigger than a horse.
3. Today’s test was easier than last week’s.
4. My new pillow is softer than my old one.