Comparative Adjectives

What Are Comparative Adjectives?

Comparative adjectives compare two nouns by expressing differences in quality, size, degree, or other characteristics.

• Example: This book is longer than that one.

How to Form Comparative Adjectives

1. Adding “-er” for Short Adjectives

For most one‑syllable and some two‑syllable adjectives, add “-er” to form the comparative.

Examples of Short Comparatives:

1. Fast → Faster: He runs faster than his friend.
2. Smart → Smarter: She is smarter than her brother.
3. Short → Shorter: This bed is shorter than that one.
4. Strong → Stronger: He is stronger after exercising.
5. Cute → Cuter: Puppies are cuter than kittens.
6. Cold → Colder: The nights are colder in winter.
7. Bright → Brighter: The sun is brighter today.
8. Wide → Wider: The river is wider here.
9. Fine → Finer: Silk is finer than cotton.
10. Quick → Quicker: She finished the race quicker than anyone else.
11. High → Higher: The price is higher this year.
12. Low → Lower: Temperatures are lower tonight.
13. Tall → Taller: The tree is taller than the house.
14. Quick → Quicker: Rabbits are quicker than turtles.
15. Slow → Slower: The old computer is slower than the new one.
16. Young → Younger: My sister is younger than me.
17. Old → Older: He is older than he looks.
18. Light → Lighter: This bag is lighter than my suitcase.
19. Weak → Weaker: After being sick, he felt weaker.
20. Safe → Safer: This neighborhood is safer than that one.

For Adjectives Ending in “-y”

Change the “-y” to “-ier” to form the comparative.

Examples of “-y” Comparatives:

1. Happy → Happier: She feels happier than yesterday.
2. Funny → Funnier: That joke is funnier than the last one.
3. Lazy → Lazier: He’s lazier during weekends.
4. Tasty → Tastier: This dish is tastier than the previous one.
5. Lovely → Lovelier: The garden looks lovelier in spring.
6. Sunny → Sunnier: Today is sunnier than yesterday.
7. Healthy → Healthier: Fresh food is healthier than fast food.
8. Shiny → Shinier: Her ring is shinier than mine.
9. Pretty → Prettier: This view is prettier than I imagined.
10. Noisy → Noisier: The birds are noisier in the morning.
11. Tricky → Trickier: The puzzle is trickier than it seems.
12. Rainy → Rainier: It’s rainier this season.
13. Windy → Windier: The beach is windier today.
14. Shady → Shadier: This spot is shadier under the tree.

Using “More” or “Less” for Long Adjectives

For adjectives with two or more syllables (except those ending in “-y”), use “more” or “less” before the adjective.

Examples of Long Comparatives:

1. Interesting → More Interesting: This book is more interesting than the one I read before.
2. Delicious → More Delicious: This cake is more delicious than the last one.
3. Beautiful → More Beautiful: This dress is more beautiful than that one.
4. Intelligent → More Intelligent: She is more intelligent than her peers.
5. Expensive → More Expensive: This car is more expensive than my house!
6. Famous → More Famous: He is more famous than any other actor.
7. Qualified → More Qualified: She is more qualified than the other candidates.
8. Efficient → More Efficient: Electric cars are more efficient than petrol cars.
9. Difficult → More Difficult: This exam is more difficult than the last one.
10. Advanced → More Advanced: The new smartphone is more advanced than the old model.
11. Creative → More Creative: His ideas are more creative than mine.
12. Secure → More Secure: This system is more secure than the previous one.
13. Powerful → More Powerful: The engine is more powerful than before.
14. Amazing → More Amazing: The show was more amazing than we expected.
15. Successful → More Successful: The campaign was more successful than anticipated.
16. Professional → More Professional: She appears more professional in her new role.
17. Important → More Important: Family is more important than work.
18. Precious → More Precious: Time is more precious than money.
19. Complex → More Complex: The new design is more complex than the old one.
20. Exciting → More Exciting: This ride is more exciting than the last one.

5. Irregular Comparative Adjectives

Some adjectives have irregular comparative forms that do not follow the standard rules. Memorize these exceptions:

Examples of Irregular Comparatives:

• Good → Better: He is a better swimmer than me.
• Bad → Worse: The situation is getting worse.
• Far → Farther/Further: My house is farther than yours.
• Little → Less: She has less time than before.
• Well → Better: She sings better than anyone.

6. Two-Form Comparatives

Some adjectives allow both the “-er” form and the “more/less” form. Use whichever sounds more natural.

Examples of Two-Form Comparatives:

1. Narrow → Narrower / More Narrow:
   This path is narrower (or more narrow) than the other one.
2. Simple → Simpler / More Simple:
   These instructions are simpler (or more simple) to follow.
3. Polite → Politer / More Polite:
   She is politer (or more polite) than her brother.
4. Quiet → Quieter / More Quiet:
   This place is quieter (or more quiet) than the city center.
5. Gentle → Gentler / More Gentle:
   He is gentler (or more gentle) with children.
6. Common → Commoner / More Common:
   This error is commoner (or more common) than you’d think.
7. Friendly → Friendlier / More Friendly:
   Our neighbors are friendlier (or more friendly) than we expected.
8. Sunny → Sunnier / More Sunny:
   Today is sunnier (or more sunny) than yesterday.
9. Quiet → Quieter / More Quiet:
   The library is quieter (or more quiet) than the café.
10. Clever → Cleverer / More Clever:
    Monkeys are cleverer (or more clever) than many animals.

Using Modifiers with Comparatives

Modifiers like “much,” “far,” “slightly,” “a little” add emphasis or precision to comparisons.

Examples of Adjectives with Modifiers:

1. Much Hotter: It’s much hotter today than yesterday.
2. Far Faster: This car is far faster than that one.
3. A Lot Smarter: She is a lot smarter than her classmates.
4. Slightly Tastier: This apple is slightly tastier than the other one.
5. A Little Bigger: This house is a little bigger than mine.
6. Much Colder: It’s much colder today than it was last week.
7. Far Higher: The balloon flew far higher than expected.
8. A Lot More Interesting: This show is a lot more interesting than the last one.
9. Slightly Sweeter: This cake is slightly sweeter than the previous one.
10. A Little Cheaper: This shirt is a little cheaper than that one.

Common Mistakes with Comparatives

Avoid adding “more” before adjectives that already end in “-er.”

1. Incorrect: This is more better than that. 
   Correct: This is better than that. 
2. Incorrect: He is more faster than me. 
   Correct: He is faster than me. 
3. Incorrect: These shoes are more cheaper. 
   Correct: These shoes are cheaper. 
4. Incorrect: She is more taller than her sister. 
   Correct: She is taller than her sister. 
5. Incorrect: This puzzle is more easier than that one. 
   Correct: This puzzle is easier than that one. 
6. Incorrect: The movie was more worse than I thought. 
   Correct: The movie was worse than I thought. 
7. Incorrect: Today is more hotter than yesterday. 
   Correct: Today is hotter than yesterday. 
8. Incorrect: Your idea is more cleverer. 
   Correct: Your idea is cleverer. 
9. Incorrect: This road is more narrower than that one. 
   Correct: This road is narrower than that one. 
10. Incorrect: The test was more harder than expected. 
    Correct: The test was harder than expected.