Learning how to use comparatives correctly is an important part of mastering the English language. Comparatives are used to compare differences between two objects they modify (larger, smaller, faster, higher). To form comparatives, you often add “-er” to the adjective, or use “more” before the adjective. However, there are many common mistakes that learners of English often make when forming and using comparatives. This article will explore some of these mistakes and provide guidance on how to avoid them.
Incorrect Use of “More”
One of the most common mistakes learners make is using “more” with adjectives that only need an “-er” ending. For example, instead of saying “more taller,” the correct form is “taller.” Many adjectives follow this simple rule, especially those that are one syllable long. Here are some examples:
– Correct: “She is taller than her brother.”
– Incorrect: “She is more taller than her brother.”
For adjectives with two syllables that end in “-y,” such as “happy,” you also add “-er” and change the “y” to “i”:
– Correct: “I am happier today than I was yesterday.”
– Incorrect: “I am more happy today than I was yesterday.”
Using “Less” Incorrectly
While “more” is used to indicate a higher degree of something, “less” is used to indicate a lower degree. However, learners often make the mistake of using “less” with adjectives that require an “-er” ending. For instance:
– Correct: “He is less intelligent than his friend.”
– Incorrect: “He is less smarter than his friend.”
In this case, “less intelligent” is correct because “intelligent” is a multi-syllable adjective that doesn’t take an “-er” ending. But saying “less smarter” is incorrect because “smarter” already implies a comparative form.
Double Comparatives
Another frequent mistake is the use of double comparatives. A double comparative occurs when both “more” and the “-er” ending are used together. This is redundant and grammatically incorrect. For example:
– Correct: “This car is faster than that one.”
– Incorrect: “This car is more faster than that one.”
Double comparatives should always be avoided. Stick to either using “more” or the “-er” ending, but never both.
Irregular Comparatives
Some adjectives have irregular comparative forms that don’t follow the typical rules. These irregular forms must be memorized, as they do not conform to the standard patterns. Here are some common examples:
– Good → Better
– Bad → Worse
– Far → Farther or Further (depending on context)
Learners often mistakenly use “more good” instead of “better” or “more bad” instead of “worse.” For example:
– Correct: “This book is better than the last one.”
– Incorrect: “This book is more good than the last one.”
Confusion with “Than”
Comparatives are typically followed by “than” to show the relationship between the two items being compared. However, some learners omit “than” or use it incorrectly. For instance:
– Correct: “She is older than her sister.”
– Incorrect: “She is older her sister.”
Always remember to include “than” after the comparative adjective to make the sentence grammatically correct.
Issues with Adverbs
Comparatives are not just for adjectives; they can also be used with adverbs. For example, “quickly” becomes “more quickly” in the comparative form. However, learners often make mistakes with adverbs by either using the wrong form or omitting necessary words:
– Correct: “She runs more quickly than her brother.”
– Incorrect: “She runs quicker than her brother.”
The confusion often arises because many adverbs in English do not follow regular comparative forms. For example:
– Correct: “He speaks more slowly than she does.”
– Incorrect: “He speaks slower than she does.”
Comparatives with Nouns
Although less common, comparatives can also be used with nouns to indicate more or fewer of something. The structure often involves “more” or “fewer” before the noun. Mistakes in this area usually involve using the wrong quantifier:
– Correct: “She has more books than him.”
– Incorrect: “She has many books than him.”
For countable nouns, use “more” or “fewer”:
– Correct: “There are fewer people in the room today.”
– Incorrect: “There are less people in the room today.”
For uncountable nouns, use “more” or “less”:
– Correct: “I need more water.”
– Incorrect: “I need many water.”
Contextual Misuse
Even when the comparative form is correct, it can be misused in context. This usually happens when learners are not clear about what exactly they are comparing. For example:
– Correct: “This problem is more complex than the last one.”
– Incorrect: “This problem is more complex.”
In the incorrect example, the sentence fails to provide a basis for comparison, making it incomplete and confusing.
Using Comparatives in Negative Sentences
Negative sentences with comparatives can be tricky. Learners often make mistakes by using double negatives or incorrect forms. For example:
– Correct: “She is not more intelligent than her colleague.”
– Incorrect: “She is not less unintelligent than her colleague.”
Double negatives can make the sentence confusing and grammatically incorrect. Stick to a single negative form to keep the sentence clear.
Comparatives in Questions
When forming questions with comparatives, the word order can often trip up learners. For example:
– Correct: “Is this route shorter than the other one?”
– Incorrect: “Is this route than the other one shorter?”
In questions, the comparative adjective should come directly after the verb “is.”
Common Pitfalls with Specific Adjectives
Some adjectives are particularly troublesome when it comes to forming comparatives. Here are a few examples:
– Fun: The comparative form is “more fun,” not “funner.”
– Correct: “This game is more fun than the last one.”
– Incorrect: “This game is funner than the last one.”
– Little: The comparative form is “less,” not “littler.”
– Correct: “She has less time than I do.”
– Incorrect: “She has littler time than I do.”
– Much/Many: The comparative form is “more,” not “mucher” or “manner.”
– Correct: “He has more experience than I do.”
– Incorrect: “He has mucher experience than I do.”
Tips for Mastering Comparatives
Given the variety of rules and exceptions, mastering comparatives can seem daunting. However, there are some strategies that can make the process easier:
– **Practice Regularly:** The more you use comparatives in speaking and writing, the more natural they will become. Try to incorporate them into your daily conversations and written exercises.
– **Read Extensively:** Reading well-written material can help you see how comparatives are used correctly. Pay attention to how authors use comparatives in different contexts.
– **Make a List of Irregular Comparatives:** Keep a list of irregular comparative forms handy for quick reference. Review it regularly until you feel confident.
– **Use Grammar Checkers:** Tools like Grammarly can help catch mistakes in your writing. However, don’t rely solely on them; use them as a supplementary tool.
– **Get Feedback:** If possible, have a native speaker or a knowledgeable teacher review your use of comparatives. Feedback can help you identify and correct mistakes you might not notice on your own.
– **Memorize Common Adjectives:** Some adjectives frequently appear in comparative forms. By memorizing these, you can avoid many common mistakes. For example, “good,” “bad,” “far,” “little,” and “much.”
Exercises for Practice
To help reinforce these rules, here are some exercises you can try:
1. Rewrite the sentences using the correct comparative form:
– This book is (interesting) than that one.
– He is (tall) than his brother.
– She feels (happy) today than yesterday.
– This task is (difficult) than the last one.
2. Fill in the blanks with the correct comparative form:
– John is __________ (intelligent) than his classmates.
– This route is __________ (short) than the other one.
– She has __________ (few) friends than him.
– This problem is __________ (complex) than the last one.
3. Correct the mistakes in the following sentences:
– This car is more faster than that one.
– She is less smarter than her friend.
– He speaks slower than she does.
– She is not less unintelligent than her colleague.
Conclusion
Understanding and using comparatives correctly is crucial for effective communication in English. While there are many rules and exceptions, regular practice and attention to detail can help you master them. By avoiding common mistakes such as incorrect use of “more” and “less,” double comparatives, and confusion with irregular forms, you can greatly improve your language skills. Remember to practice regularly, seek feedback, and use resources like grammar checkers to refine your usage. With time and effort, you can become proficient in using comparatives accurately.
