Understanding how to form comparatives with adjectives is an essential aspect of mastering the English language. Comparatives allow you to express differences between two items, people, or ideas, making your communication clearer and more precise. This article will guide you through the rules, exceptions, and nuances of forming comparatives with adjectives, ensuring you can use them effectively in your everyday conversations and writing.
What Are Comparatives?
Comparatives are forms of adjectives used to compare two nouns. They typically indicate that one noun possesses a higher degree of a particular quality than the other. For example, in the sentence “John is taller than Mark,” the word “taller” is the comparative form of the adjective “tall.”
Basic Rules for Forming Comparatives
The rules for forming comparatives depend on the length of the adjective. Generally, adjectives can be classified into one-syllable, two-syllable, and three-or-more-syllable categories, each with its own rules for forming comparatives.
One-Syllable Adjectives
For one-syllable adjectives, you typically add the suffix “-er” to the end of the adjective to form the comparative. Here are a few examples:
– **Tall** becomes **taller** (e.g., “She is taller than her brother.”)
– **Short** becomes **shorter** (e.g., “This route is shorter than the other one.”)
– **Fast** becomes **faster** (e.g., “He runs faster than anyone else in the class.”)
There are some spelling rules to keep in mind:
1. **Doubling the Final Consonant**: If the adjective ends with a single consonant preceded by a single vowel, double the final consonant before adding “-er.” For example:
– **Big** becomes **bigger** (e.g., “This fish is bigger than that one.”)
– **Hot** becomes **hotter** (e.g., “Today is hotter than yesterday.”)
2. **Ending in -e**: If the adjective already ends in “-e,” simply add “-r.” For example:
– **Large** becomes **larger** (e.g., “Her house is larger than mine.”)
– **Nice** becomes **nicer** (e.g., “This sweater is nicer than the other one.”)
Two-Syllable Adjectives
Two-syllable adjectives can form comparatives in two ways: by adding the suffix “-er” or by using the word “more” before the adjective. The choice often depends on the ending of the adjective.
1. **Ending in -y**: If a two-syllable adjective ends in “-y,” change the “-y” to “-i” and add “-er.” For example:
– **Happy** becomes **happier** (e.g., “She is happier than she was last year.”)
– **Busy** becomes **busier** (e.g., “This week is busier than the last one.”)
2. **Other Two-Syllable Adjectives**: For most other two-syllable adjectives, use “more” before the adjective. For example:
– **Careful** becomes **more careful** (e.g., “He is more careful than his brother.”)
– **Peaceful** becomes **more peaceful** (e.g., “This park is more peaceful than the city center.”)
Three-or-More-Syllable Adjectives
For adjectives with three or more syllables, use “more” before the adjective to form the comparative. For example:
– **Beautiful** becomes **more beautiful** (e.g., “This painting is more beautiful than the other one.”)
– **Expensive** becomes **more expensive** (e.g., “That car is more expensive than this one.”)
– **Comfortable** becomes **more comfortable** (e.g., “This chair is more comfortable than that one.”)
Irregular Comparatives
While the majority of adjectives follow the standard rules for forming comparatives, there are a few irregular adjectives that do not. Here are some common examples:
– **Good** becomes **better** (e.g., “This restaurant is better than the other one.”)
– **Bad** becomes **worse** (e.g., “His condition is worse than before.”)
– **Far** becomes **farther** or **further** (e.g., “She can run farther than him.” / “We need further information.”)
Comparatives with Adverbs
Adverbs can also be used to form comparatives. Like adjectives, adverbs can be short (one syllable) or long (two or more syllables), and the rules for forming comparatives with adverbs are similar to those for adjectives.
1. **Short Adverbs**: Add “-er” to form the comparative. For example:
– **Fast** becomes **faster** (e.g., “She runs faster than her brother.”)
– **Hard** becomes **harder** (e.g., “He works harder than anyone else.”)
2. **Long Adverbs**: Use “more” before the adverb. For example:
– **Carefully** becomes **more carefully** (e.g., “He drives more carefully than his friend.”)
– **Efficiently** becomes **more efficiently** (e.g., “The new system works more efficiently than the old one.”)
Using “Than” in Comparatives
When using comparatives, 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.”
It’s important to note that “than” is a conjunction, and it links the two elements being compared. Make sure that the elements on both sides of “than” are comparable. For example, you would not say, “She is taller than the car,” unless you are specifically comparing a person to a car, which is unusual.
Double Comparatives
In English, it’s incorrect to use double comparatives. A double comparative occurs when you mistakenly use both “more” and the “-er” suffix together. For example, saying “more taller” or “more happier” is incorrect. Always use either the suffix “-er” or the word “more,” but never both together.
Common Mistakes and Pitfalls
1. **Using the wrong form**: Ensure you use the correct form of the comparative based on the number of syllables in the adjective. For example, saying “beautifuler” instead of “more beautiful” is incorrect.
2. **Forgetting to use “than”**: Always use “than” to make the comparison clear. For example, “She is taller than her brother” is correct, while “She is taller her brother” is incorrect.
3. **Double comparatives**: Avoid using both “more” and the “-er” suffix together. For instance, “more smarter” is incorrect; it should be either “smarter” or “more intelligent.”
4. **Irregular comparatives**: Be aware of irregular comparative forms. For example, “good” becomes “better,” not “gooder.”
Practice and Application
To master comparatives, it’s essential to practice using them in various contexts. Here are a few exercises to help you get started:
1. **Fill in the blanks**: Complete the following sentences with the correct comparative form of the adjectives in parentheses.
– She is __________ (tall) than her sister.
– This road is __________ (narrow) than the highway.
– He is __________ (intelligent) than his classmates.
– This exam is __________ (difficult) than the last one.
2. **Sentence construction**: Write sentences comparing two items using the following adjectives:
– Fast
– Beautiful
– Expensive
– Good
3. **Error correction**: Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences.
– She is more taller than her brother.
– This movie is interestinger than the other one.
– He works more harder than anyone else.
– This book is more better than the last one.
Conclusion
Forming comparatives with adjectives is a fundamental skill in English that enhances your ability to describe and compare different things effectively. By understanding the rules and practicing regularly, you’ll be able to use comparatives confidently and accurately. Remember to pay attention to the length of the adjective, use “than” to make comparisons, and avoid common mistakes like double comparatives. With practice, you’ll find that using comparatives becomes second nature, allowing you to communicate more precisely and fluently.
