Making

Comparison s
in English

We often use comparisons because we want to talk about the differences

between people, places, and things.

Here is an example: 1. Janets house is bigger than Toms. 2. Toms house is a lot smaller than Janets. 3. Janets house is fancier and more elaborate than Toms house.

The comparative forms from the previous example are: -bigger than -smaller than -fancier than -more elaborate than

So . . . When do we use er and when do we use more?

How many syllables are the words:

big and small?

For 1-syllable adjectives, JUST add er to the end. Example: Tom is smarter than Joe.

*If the 1-syllable adjective ends with the letter e, JUST add r to the end. Examples:

nicer

wiser

**If the 1-syllable adjective has a C-V-C pattern, Double the consonant and add er.
Examples: Francisco. San Francisco is San Diego is wetter than San Diego. bigger than San

For adjectives that end with the letter y, DROP the y and add ier.

Examples: Adjective = fancy Janets house is fancier than Toms.

Adjective = pretty Janets house is prettier than Toms. Adjective = friendly Susan. Alison is friendlier than

How many syllables is the word:

elaborate?

(more than 1)

For adjectives that are 2 or more syllables, use more + the adjective to make the comparative form. Examples: Adjective = elaborate Janets house is more elaborate than Toms. Adjective = comfortable This chair is more comfortable than that chair.

Irregular comparatives: You MUST memorize these!

Examples:
good bad = = better than worse than far = farther (further) than

Adjective = good Saras grades are better than Michaels.

Grammar Rule:
Never use both MORE and ER!

Incorrect:
Lisas job is more better than mine.

Correct:
Lisas job is better than mine.

Using less than

Sometimes we compare two things by using less than.
To do this, use LESS + adjective + THAN When using less than, the adjective DOES NOT CHANGE

Examples:
He is LESS energetic than my other teacher.
This class is LESS crowded than the other one.

New York City is LESS polluted than Los Angeles.

Rule . . .
1. Adjectives with one syllable: add er 2. Adjectives that end in Y: drop Y, add ier 3. Adjectives with two or more syllables: use more 4. Irregular forms: (memorize)

ADJECTIVE old big cheap friendly busy easy polite beautiful important good bad far quiet crowded

COMPARATIVE older than bigger than cheaper than friendlier than busier than easier than more polite than more beautiful than more important than better than worse than farther/further than less quiet than less crowded than

5. Less Than

There are a few exceptions with comparative grammar ... These are adjectives that dont follow the basic rules or that have more than one acceptable form. To learn these, you must memorize them. 1.fun We say: more fun more simple more narrow funner OR simpler OR

2. simple We say: 3. narrow We say: narrower 4. quiet We say:

more quiet

OR quieter

Try these examples. Use the comparative form. 1. I think Social Studies is _________________ (interesting) than Math. 2. San Diego is a _____________ (pretty) city than L.A.

3. A dog is usually _______________ (friendly) than a cat.

4. It is _____________ (hot) today than it was yesterday.

5. My cousin is ______________ (rich) than I am.

6. USE LESS: Some people think that Spanish is __________________ (difficult) than English.

For Additional Explanation and Practice, go to these websites:

1. Comparative / Superlative Explanation and Quizzes:

http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/regcom.htm

2. Comparatives Challenge Board Game:

http://www.quia.com/cb/283937.html

If you do these exercises, the grammar will get