This document provides instruction on how to form comparative adjectives in English. It explains that for one-syllable adjectives, "-er" is usually added to form the comparative. For adjectives ending in "e", just add "r". Adjectives ending in "y" drop the "y" and add "ier". For adjectives with two or more syllables, "more" is used before the adjective. Irregular comparatives like "good/better" and "bad/worse" must be memorized. "Less" is used with adjectives without changing the form to indicate less of a quality. Examples are provided to illustrate each comparative formation rule.

1. Making
Comparison
s
in English

2. We often use comparisons because we
want to talk about the differences
between people, places, and things.
Here is an example:
1. Janet’s house is bigger
than Tom’s.
2. Tom’s house is a lot
smaller than Janet’s.
3. Janet’s house is fancier
and more elaborate than
Tom’s house.

3. The comparative forms from the
previous example are:
-bigger than
-smaller than
-fancier than
-more elaborate than
So . . . When do we use “–er” and
when do we use “more?”

4. How many syllables are the words: “big” and “small?” 1
For 1-syllable adjectives,
JUST add “er” to the end.
Example: Tom is smarter than Joe.
*If the 1-syllable adjective ends with the letter “e,”
JUST add “r” to the end.
Examples: nicer wiser
**If the 1-syllable adjective has a C-V-C pattern,
Double the consonant and add “er.”
Examples: San Francisco is wetterthan San Diego.
San Diego is bigger than San
Francisco.

5. For adjectives that end with the letter “y,”
DROP the “y” and add “ier.”
Examples:
Adjective = fancy Janet’s house is fancier than Tom’s.
Adjective = pretty Janet’s house is prettier than Tom’s.
Adjective = friendly Alison is friendlier than
Susan.

6. How many syllables is the word: elaborate? 4
(more than 1)
For adjectives that are 2 or more syllables,
use “more” + the adjective to make the comparative
form.
Examples:
Adjective = elaborate
Janet’s house is more elaborate than Tom’s.
Adjective = comfortable
This chair is more comfortable than that chair.

7. Irregular comparatives:
You MUST memorize these!
Examples:
good = better than far = farther (further) than
bad = worse than
Adjective = good
Sara’s grades are better than Michael’s.

8. Grammar Rule:
Never use both MORE and “ER!”
Incorrect:
Lisa’s job is more better than
mine.
Correct:
Lisa’s job is better than mine.

9. Using “less than”
Sometimes we compare two things by using “less than.”
To do this, use LESS + adjective + THAN
When using “less than,” the adjective DOES NOT CHANGE
Examples:
He is LESS energetic than my other teacher.
This class is LESS crowded than the other one.
New York City is LESS polluted than Los Angeles.

10. Rule . . . ADJECTIVE COMPARATIVE
1. Adjectives with one
syllable:
add “er”
old
big
cheap
older than
bigger than
cheaper than
2. Adjectives that end
in “Y”:
drop “Y”, add “ier”
friendly
busy
easy
friendlier than
busier than
easier than
3. Adjectives with two or
more syllables:
use “more”
polite
beautiful
important
more polite than
more beautiful than
more important than
4. Irregular forms: (memorize) good
bad
far
better than
worse than
farther/further than
5. Less Than quiet
crowded
less quiet than
less crowded than

11. Try these examples. Use the comparative form.
1. I think Social Studies is _________________
(interesting) than Math.
2. San Diego is a _____________ (pretty) city than L.A.
3. A dog is usually _______________ (friendly) than a cat.
4. It is _____________ (hot) today than it was yesterday.
5. My cousin is ______________ (rich) than I am.
6. USE LESS: Some people think that Spanish is
__________________ (difficult) than English.