Grammar:

Making comparisons

Dr. Pauline Ghenghesh

English Department
British University in Egypt
 Comparison:
Types of comparison
 There are three types of comparison:

1. To a higher degree (comparative form + than)

 Example: You are older than me.
The exam was more difficult than we expected.

2. To the same degree (as … as)

 Example: Those shoes cost as much as mine.

3. To a lower degree (with less + than and the least)

 Example: My brother is less intelligent than I am.
That was the least difficult question in the
exam.
 Comparatives and superlative
forms of adjectives
 Short words (one syllable-adjectives)
Add –er and –est to form the comparative
and superlative of one syllable adjectives
Adjective Comparative Superlative
cheap cheaper cheapest
 We also use –er and –est for two-syllable words that
end in –y. Drop the –y and add –ier and –iest
lucky luckier luckiest

Example: That was the easiest test I have ever done.

 Spelling
1. With short words (one syllable adjectives) that end in
a vowel + a consonant, double the consonant before adding
-er and –est
 Example: fat fatter fattest, big bigger biggest

2. Words that end in –e, add –r and –st

 Example: fine finer finest

3. With adjectives that end in –y after a consonant, replace –y

with –i then add –er and –est
 Example: tidy tidier tidiest
 More and most + adjective

Use more and most for longer words (two-

syllables or more)

Examples:
I think river rafting is the most exciting sport
I’ve done.

It was the most boring film I had ever seen.

 Irregular comparative and
superlative adjectives
These are the most common irregular forms:
good better best
bad worse worst
little less least
much more most
far farther farthest
Example: Mahmoud is a better player than I
am, but Ahmad is the best.
 Modifying comparison
Before comparisons you can use:
much a lot a little a bit slightly (= a little)
far less (= a lot less)

Examples:
Let’s drive to Luxor. It’s much cheaper. (or It’s a lot
cheaper.)

The train is a lot more expensive. (or It’s much more

expensive.)