Grammar & Usage

Comparative
Adjectives
Use
Use comparative adjectives to compare two people, places, or things.

Form
A. Chart

Number of Syllables Form Example

one Adj + -er tall + -er = taller

two -y changes to -i + -er happy + -er = happier

(ending in -y)

two more + Adj more + famous = more famous

(not ending in -y)

three or more more + Adj more + beautiful = more beautiful

B. Examples

1. Maria is taller than Jack.

2. I feel happier today than I did yesterday.

3. The lead actor on that show is more famous than the lead actress.

4. Sunsets at the beach are more beautiful than sunsets in the city.

Copyright 2018, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. ( V E R S I O N 2 . 0) 1
 Comparative Adjectives
Grammar & Usage

Spelling Rules for Adding -er

A. Chart

Rule # Spelling Rule Example

• nice  nicer
1 If the adjective ends in -e, add -r. • safe  safer
• large  larger

• big  bigger
If the adjective ends in a consonant-vowel-consonant
2 • wet  wetter
(CVC) pattern, double the final consonant and add -er.
• flat  flatter

• easy  easier
If the adjective ends with a consonant + -y,
3 • funny  funnier
change -y to -i and add -er.
• pretty  prettier

• tall  taller
4 For all other adjectives, add -er. • soft  softer
• loud  louder

B. Examples

1. The hotel room is larger than my bedroom at home.

2. An elephant is bigger than a horse.

3. Today’s test was easier than last week’s.

4. My new pillow is softer than my old one.

Copyright 2018, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. ( V E R S I O N 2 . 0) 2