MEETING THIRTEEN

COMPARATIVES IN COMPARE-CONTRAST ESSAY AND SENTENCES

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Using Comparatives in Comparison-Contrast Essays

Comparison-contrast essays often use comparatives. Comparatives are used with

adjectives, adverbs, and nouns to show differences between two subjects (people, objects, ideas,
places, or actions).
Comparatives with Adjectives and Adverbs
To form the comparative of one-syllable adjectives and adverbs, add -er. If the adjective or adverb
ends in a single vowel and consonant, double the consonant.
To form the comparative of most two-syllable adjectives and adverbs, add more; however, if the
adjective ends in -le, use -r. If the adjective ends in a consonant + y, change у to i and add -er.
Comparatives with Nouns
To form the comparative of nouns, use more.
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Comparative Forms of Adjectives, Adverbs, and Nouns

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When we use a comparative in a sentence, we sometimes delete the

second subject and verb. We also sometimes use the comparative
without than when the context is clear. Look at the examples and
Using Comparatives in charts below.
Sentences
People in Xela are less stressed than New Yorkers are.
New Yorkers are always rushing around. People in Xela are less
stressed.

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Comparatives in Sentences

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Practice 1
Forming comparatives

Write the comparative form of the following adjectives and adverbs, using -er or more.
1. difficult more difficult _______________
2. challenging _______________________
3. smart ____________________________
4. tired _____________________________
5. sleepy ___________________________
6. energetically ______________________
7. humble __________________________

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Practice 2
Identifying comparatives

Underline the comparative in the sentences below.

1. Time passes more slowly in Xela than it does in New York.
2. The airport in Dubai is more elegant than the airport in Los Angeles.
3. Shanghai has more skyscrapers than Sydney.
4. The drivers in Houston are more cautious than the Esfahani drivers.
5. Cairo has more tourists than Alexandria.
6. The buildings around Central Park are taller than the museums and houses that surround Chapultapec Park.

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Practice 3
Choosing the correct form of comparatives

Circle the correct form of the comparative in each sentence.

1. She was (very excited / more excited) than her sister was about the trip.
2. Franz spoke (more enthusiastic / more enthusiastically) than Cyrus about computer science.
3. Taipai is much (busier / more busy) than it was a few years ago.
4. In Quetzaltenango the buildings are (older / more old).
5. Tokyo subways (have more passengers / more passengers have).
6. Some tourists think that a beach vacation is (relaxier / more relaxing) than an adventure vacation.

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Practice 4

Read the paragraph and edit as necessary. There are six mistakes with comparatives.

I like to go on public transportation whenever I can. Of course, private transportation is more comfortable
public transportation in many ways. But I always feel more free when I travel on a bus or a train. I don't have
to worry about parking, and I can still go wherever I want. Also, taking buses and trains is interestinger. You
meet more people and can spend more time enjoying the scenery. For me, this is much more relaxing driving
my own car. I also find that I travel more light when I don't have my car, so life is more simpler than when I
have lots and lots of suitcases and things to carry.

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Writing Assignment

Choose one of the suggested topics and write an essay using comparison-contrast organization. Use either point-to-
point or block organization.

1. Two cultures or one aspect of two cultures, such as family life, schools, child=raising practice, marriage
customs.

2. Living at home and living away from home

3. High school and college or university

4. Two products (for example, digital and film cameras, etc)

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