Comparatives are an essential part of the English language. They allow us to compare two or more things, people, or situations. Most of the time, forming comparatives is straightforward: you add “-er” to short adjectives (e.g., “tall” becomes “taller”) or use “more” before longer adjectives (e.g., “beautiful” becomes “more beautiful”). However, as with many rules in English, there are several exceptions. In this article, we will explore these exceptions in depth to help you use comparatives correctly and naturally.
Irregular Comparatives
One of the first things to understand about comparatives is that some adjectives are irregular. This means they do not follow the standard rules for forming comparatives. Here are some of the most common irregular comparatives:
– **Good** becomes **better**.
– **Bad** becomes **worse**.
– **Far** becomes **farther** or **further**.
– **Little** becomes **less** or **lesser**.
– **Many** and **much** become **more**.
For example:
– “She is a better singer than her sister.”
– “His health is worse this year compared to last year.”
– “The house is farther down the road.”
– “There is less sugar in this recipe.”
– “He has more experience than his colleague.”
These irregular forms must be memorized, as they do not follow the typical rules of adding “-er” or using “more.”
Two-Syllable Adjectives Ending in -y
Most two-syllable adjectives form comparatives by using “more” before the adjective. However, adjectives that end in “-y” are an exception. For these adjectives, you replace the “-y” with “-ier.”
For example:
– **Happy** becomes **happier**.
– **Busy** becomes **busier**.
– **Funny** becomes **funnier**.
Example sentences:
– “She is happier now that she has moved to the countryside.”
– “This week is busier than last week.”
– “His jokes are funnier than hers.”
Adjectives with Multiple Comparative Forms
Some adjectives can form comparatives in more than one way, and both forms are correct. This can often be seen with two-syllable adjectives. For example:
– **Polite** can become **politer** or **more polite**.
– **Common** can become **commoner** or **more common**.
– **Narrow** can become **narrower** or **more narrow**.
Example sentences:
– “She is politer than her brother” or “She is more polite than her brother.”
– “This mistake is commoner than you think” or “This mistake is more common than you think.”
– “The path is narrower after the bridge” or “The path is more narrow after the bridge.”
Adjectives That Do Not Form Comparatives
Some adjectives describe absolute states and do not have comparative forms. These adjectives are often called “absolute” or “non-gradable” adjectives. They include:
– **Perfect**
– **Unique**
– **Dead**
– **Complete**
For example:
– “Her performance was perfect.” (You cannot say “more perfect.”)
– “The painting is unique.” (You cannot say “more unique.”)
– “The animal is dead.” (You cannot say “more dead.”)
– “The work is complete.” (You cannot say “more complete.”)
These adjectives describe qualities that are either present or not; they cannot be compared in degrees.
Special Cases with Comparatives
There are also some special cases where comparatives can be tricky. Let’s take a look at a few of these:
Comparatives with “Than”
When using comparatives, it is common to use the word “than” to show the comparison. However, be mindful of the sentence structure to avoid confusion. For example:
– Correct: “She is taller than him.”
– Incorrect: “She is taller than he.”
In formal English, you might see “She is taller than he is,” but in everyday spoken English, “She is taller than him” is more common and acceptable.
Double Comparatives
Sometimes, learners mistakenly use double comparatives, which is grammatically incorrect. A double comparative is when you use both “-er” and “more” together. For example:
– Incorrect: “She is more taller than her brother.”
– Correct: “She is taller than her brother.”
Always use either the “-er” ending or “more,” but never both.
Comparatives with Adverbs
Adverbs can also be used to make comparisons. Like adjectives, some adverbs are irregular. For example:
– **Well** becomes **better**.
– **Badly** becomes **worse**.
– **Far** becomes **farther** or **further**.
Example sentences:
– “She sings better than her sister.”
– “He performed worse on the test than he expected.”
– “I can run farther than I used to.”
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Understanding and using comparatives correctly involves avoiding common mistakes. Here are a few pitfalls to watch out for:
Mixing Comparative and Superlative Forms
Comparatives are used to compare two things, while superlatives are used to compare three or more. Mixing these forms can lead to confusion. For example:
– Incorrect: “She is the taller of the three sisters.”
– Correct: “She is the tallest of the three sisters.”
Using Double Negatives
In English, using double negatives is incorrect and often leads to confusion. For example:
– Incorrect: “She is not more happier than her friend.”
– Correct: “She is not happier than her friend.”
Incorrect Use of “Than” and “As” with Comparatives
When using comparatives, “than” is typically used, while “as” is used with equatives. For example:
– Incorrect: “She is more tall as her brother.”
– Correct: “She is taller than her brother.”
Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to master comparatives, especially the exceptions, is through practice. Try to incorporate these forms into your everyday speech and writing. Here are a few exercises to help you practice:
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences with the correct form of the adjective in parentheses.
1. She is _______________ (good) at math than her brother.
2. This puzzle is _______________ (difficult) than the last one.
3. He feels _______________ (bad) today than he did yesterday.
4. This book is _______________ (interesting) than the movie.
5. The weather today is _______________ (hot) than it was last week.
Exercise 2: Correct the Mistakes
Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.
1. She is more smarter than her friend.
2. This task is more easier than the previous one.
3. He is the bestest player on the team.
4. She is not more happier than her friend.
5. He is the more talented of the two.
Exercise 3: Create Sentences
Create sentences using the given adjectives in their comparative forms.
1. Happy
2. Far
3. Busy
4. Good
5. Beautiful
Conclusion
Understanding the exceptions in comparatives can greatly improve your fluency and accuracy in English. While the basic rules are straightforward, the exceptions require special attention and practice. Remember that some adjectives are irregular, some have multiple comparative forms, and some do not form comparatives at all. By familiarizing yourself with these exceptions and practicing regularly, you will become more confident in your use of comparatives.
Keep practicing, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Language learning is a journey, and every step you take brings you closer to mastery. Happy learning!
