A2 · Grundkenntnisse Kapitel 3

Making Comparisons

6 Gesamtregeln
68 Beispiele
6 Min.
Regeln in diesem Kapitel Schnelle Übung

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of comparison to express your preferences and observations with precision.

  • Use comparative adjectives to contrast two items.
  • Apply superlative forms to identify the extreme of a group.
  • Handle irregular forms like better, worse, and best.
Compare everything with confidence and ease.

Was du lernen wirst

Ever wanted to say if one thing is bigger than another, or what's the best snack? This chapter is your guide! Soon you'll confidently compare anything, from prices to places, making your English even more useful.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Compare two products using correct comparative adjectives.

Kapitel-Leitfaden

Overview

Learning to compare things is a huge step in making your English more expressive and useful in everyday life. Think about it: every day we compare prices at the store, decide which movie is more interesting, or talk about which friend is taller. This chapter, Making Comparisons, is your essential guide to mastering these common situations.
By the end, you'll be confidently describing if something is bigger than something else, or identifying the best option from a group.
For A2 English grammar learners, understanding how to make comparisons is key to moving beyond simple sentences. It allows you to elaborate on your thoughts, share preferences, and engage in more dynamic conversations on familiar topics. Whether you're discussing your favorite foods, describing your city, or simply choosing the fastest way to get to work, the grammar patterns we'll explore here are fundamental.
You’ll learn about adding -er or more to adjectives, using than to connect ideas, and even special forms like better or the best. This skill will unlock a whole new level of practical communication in English.

How This Grammar Works

At its heart, making comparisons in English is about showing how two or more things relate in terms of a quality. We use different patterns depending on whether we're comparing just two things, or identifying an extreme within a larger group, or even stating that two things are equal.
Let’s start with comparing two items:
When you want to say one thing has *more* of a quality than another, you use comparative adjectives. For short adjectives (usually one syllable), we add -er to the end. For example,
My coffee is hotter than yours.
For longer adjectives (two or more syllables), we use more before the adjective.
For instance,
This book is more interesting than that one.
Notice that both patterns use the word than to link the two things being compared.
Sometimes, adjectives don't follow these regular rules. These are called irregular comparatives. The most common ones are: good becomes better, bad becomes worse, and far becomes farther or further.
So, you’d say, "Today's weather is better than yesterday, not gooder."
But what if two things are exactly the same? We use the as...as pattern to show equality. You can use it with any adjective or adverb.
For example,
My car is as fast as your car,
or
The red apple is as sweet as the green one.
This pattern highlights that there's no difference in that particular quality between the two items.
Finally, when you want to identify the absolute extreme in a group of three or more items, you use superlative adjectives. For short adjectives, we add -est and always put the before it.
This is the biggest building in the city.
For longer adjectives, we use the most before the adjective.
She is the most talented singer in the class.
Just like comparatives, some superlatives are irregular. Good becomes the best, bad becomes the worst, and far becomes the farthest or the furthest. These forms are essential for expressing extremes clearly and correctly.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1Using 'more' with -er adjectives.
✗ My new phone is more bigger than my old one.
✓ My new phone is bigger than my old one.
*Explanation: For short adjectives, you only add -er. Don't use 'more' with them.*
  1. 1Forgetting 'than' in comparative sentences.
✗ This movie is better the last one.
✓ This movie is better than the last one.
*Explanation: 'Than' is crucial to connect the two things you are comparing.*
  1. 1Missing 'the' before superlative adjectives.
✗ Everest is highest mountain in the world.
✓ Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
*Explanation: Always use 'the' before a superlative adjective to show it's the absolute extreme.*

Real Conversations

A

A

Hi Leo! How was your trip to the beach?
B

B

It was great! The water was warmer than I expected, and the sand was softer than the sand at our local lake.
A

A

Oh, sounds lovely! Which beach did you go to?
B

B

Brighton Beach. It’s the biggest one near my town, and I think it’s also the most beautiful.
A

A

I’m trying to decide what to order. This pasta dish looks good.
B

B

Yes, but the pizza here is usually better than the pasta. And it’s as cheap as the pasta, too!
A

A

Really? I thought the pasta was the most popular dish.
B

B

It's popular, but I think the pizza is the best choice on the menu!

Quick FAQ

Q

When should I use '-er' versus 'more' for comparative adjectives?

You generally use -er for one-syllable adjectives (taller, smaller) and some two-syllable adjectives ending in -y (happier, easier). You use more for most other two-syllable adjectives and all adjectives with three or more syllables (more interesting, more expensive).

Q

Can I use 'as...as' to compare more than two things?

No, the as...as pattern is typically used to compare *two* things or people as equals. For example,

My car is as fast as your car.
If you're talking about more than two, you're usually looking for a superlative (e.g.,
This car is the fastest of all.
).

Q

What's the main difference between 'better' and 'the best'?

Better is a comparative adjective, used when comparing *two* things (

This book is better than that one
). The best is a superlative adjective, used when comparing *three or more* things and identifying the top one (
This is the best book I’ve ever read
).

Q

Do all adjectives have an '-est' or 'most' form for superlatives?

Almost all. Similar to comparatives, short adjectives usually take -est (tallest, smartest), and longer ones use most (most delicious, most important). Remember the irregular ones like best, worst, farthest/furthest!

Cultural Context

Native English speakers use comparisons constantly in daily conversation, often shortening sentences for speed. For instance, instead of
This is better than that one,
they might just say
This is better
if the context is clear. The as...as pattern can also be used humorously or sarcastically, like "He's as quiet as a rock," implying he's very quiet.
While the grammar rules are fairly consistent, pronunciation and stress on the comparative or superlative word can add emphasis.

Wichtige Beispiele (8)

1

My new phone is `faster` than my old one.

Mein neues Handy ist schneller als mein altes.

Komparative: -er und more
2

This movie is `more interesting` than the book.

Dieser Film ist interessanter als das Buch.

Komparative: -er und more
3

This new phone is much **better** than my old one.

Dieses neue Handy ist viel besser als mein altes.

Unregelmäßige Komparative: better, worse, more
4

The weather today is **worse** than it was yesterday; it's raining.

Das Wetter heute ist schlechter als gestern; es regnet.

Unregelmäßige Komparative: better, worse, more
5

My new phone is as light as a feather.

Mein neues Handy ist federleicht.

Vergleiche mit as...as (Gleichheit)
6

The Netflix sequel isn't as good as the first season.

Die Netflix-Fortsetzung ist nicht so gut wie die erste Staffel.

Vergleiche mit as...as (Gleichheit)
7

Mount Everest is `the highest` mountain in the world.

Monte Everest ist der höchste Berg der Welt.

Superlative: Der Beste und der Schlechteste (-est / most)
8

For me, summer is `the best` season of all.

Für mich ist der Sommer die beste Jahreszeit von allen.

Superlative: Der Beste und der Schlechteste (-est / most)

Tipps & Tricks (4)

💡

Zähle die Silben

Sag das Wort laut. Bei einer Silbe wie 'cold' nimmst du meistens -er.
It is colder today.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Dinge vergleichen (größer, teurer)
💡

Zähl die Silben!

Die Anzahl der Silben ist dein bester Freund! Eine Silbe? Dann häng '-er' dran. Zwei oder mehr Silben (und es endet nicht auf -y)? Dann benutz 'more' davor. Das ist deine wichtigste Regel! Stell dir vor, du sagst: 'My car is faster than yours' oder 'This book is more exciting'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Komparative: -er und more
💡

Übe mit Alltagssätzen

Versuche, 'better than', 'worse than' und 'more than' in deinen täglichen Gesprächen zu verwenden. Je öfter du sie benutzt, desto natürlicher fühlen sie sich an. Zum Beispiel:
My coffee is better than yours!
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Unregelmäßige Komparative: better, worse, more
⚠️

Die Vergleichs-Falle

Benutz niemals '-er'-Wörter oder 'more' innerhalb von 'as...as'. Sag immer 'as smart as', niemals: "Say 'as smart as', never 'as smarter as'."
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Vergleiche mit as...as (Gleichheit)

Wichtige Vokabeln (6)

Expensive costing a lot of money Cheap low in price Better more good Worse more bad Best the highest quality Tall high in height

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Review Summary

  • A + verb + adjective-er + than + B
  • More + long adjective + than
  • Good -> Better, Bad -> Worse
  • As + adj + as
  • The + adjective-est
  • Good -> Best, Bad -> Worst

Häufige Fehler

Short adjectives take the -er suffix, not 'more'. 'More' is only for long adjectives.

Wrong: He is more tall than me.
Richtig: He is taller than me.

Best is already superlative; do not add 'most'.

Wrong: This is the most best cake.
Richtig: This is the best cake.

Use the base form of the adjective between 'as...as', not the comparative form.

Wrong: It is as better as that.
Richtig: It is as good as that.

Next Steps

You have mastered comparisons! Keep practicing by comparing objects in your daily life. See you in the next chapter!

Compare items in your room aloud

Continue to: Erzähl deine Story: Erlebnisse in der Vergangenheit

Schnelle Übung (10)

Wähle die korrekte Superlativform, um den Satz zu vervollständigen.

This is ______ movie I've ever watched!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: the most boring
Das Adjektiv 'boring' hat zwei Silben, endet aber mit '-ing', was normalerweise 'the most' erfordert. Für 'boring' nutzen wir also 'the most boring'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Superlative: Der Beste und der Schlechteste (-est / most)

Finde und korrigiere den Fehler im Satz.

Find and fix the mistake:

The traffic was badder today than yesterday.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The traffic was worse today than yesterday.
Der unregelmäßige Komparativ von 'bad' ist 'worse', nicht 'badder' oder 'more bad'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Unregelmäßige Komparative: better, worse, more

Welcher Satz verwendet einen unregelmäßigen Komparativ korrekt?

Wähle den korrekten Satz:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I need more sleep tonight.
'More' ist der unregelmäßige Komparativ von 'much' oder 'many' (und 'a lot of'). 'Muncher' ist kein Wort.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Unregelmäßige Komparative: better, worse, more

Finde und korrigiere den Fehler im Satz.

Find and fix the mistake:

She is most smart person in her class.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She is the smartest person in her class.
'Smart' ist ein kurzes Adjektiv (eine Silbe), also hängen wir '-est' an und denken an 'the'. 'Smartest' ist die korrekte Form.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Superlative: Der Beste und der Schlechteste (-est / most)

Welcher Satz benutzt ein Komparativadjektiv korrekt?

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: This book is more interesting than that movie.
'Interesting' hat drei Silben, also benutzen wir 'more' davor, um den Komparativ zu bilden. '-er' anzuhängen oder beides ('more' und '-er') zu benutzen, ist falsch.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Komparative: -er und more

Korrigiere den Fehler im Satz.

Find and fix the mistake:

I don't have as many time as you.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I don't have as much time as you.
'Time' ist unzählbar, deshalb verwenden wir 'as much as' anstelle von 'as many as'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Vergleiche mit as...as (Gleichheit)

Finde und korrigiere den Fehler im Satz.

Find and fix the mistake:

That was the badest movie of the year.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: That was the worst movie of the year.
Bad ist ein unregelmäßiges Adjektiv. Seine Superlativform ist worst, nicht badest.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Unregelmäßige Superlative: Bester, Schlechtester & Mehr

Fülle die Lücke, um den Vergleich zu vervollständigen.

My cat is as ___ as yours. (lazy)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: lazy
Bei einem as...as-Vergleich musst du die Grundform des Adjektivs 'lazy' verwenden, nicht die Komparativform 'lazier'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Vergleiche mit as...as (Gleichheit)

Finde und korrigiere den Fehler im Satz.

Find and fix the mistake:

Learning Spanish is more harder than learning French.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Learning Spanish is harder than learning French.
'Hard' ist ein einsilbiges Adjektiv, daher ist seine Komparativform 'harder'. Wir benutzen 'more' nicht bei einsilbigen Adjektiven.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Komparative: -er und more

Welcher Satz verwendet den Superlativ korrekt?

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: That was the best meal.
'Good' ist ein unregelmäßiges Adjektiv, und seine Superlativform ist 'the best'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Superlative: Der Beste und der Schlechteste (-est / most)

Score: /10

Häufige Fragen (6)

Damit vergleichst du zwei Dinge und sagst, wer 'mehr' von etwas hat. Zum Beispiel:
He is taller than me.
Meistens bei kurzen Wörtern mit einer Silbe. Zum Beispiel wird aus cold einfach colder.
Ihr Hauptzweck ist es, zwei Dinge, Personen oder Handlungen miteinander zu vergleichen. Sie zeigen, wer/was eine Eigenschaft mehr hat oder eine Handlung stärker ausführt. Zum Beispiel: 'This car is faster than that one.' Das hilft dir, genauer zu beschreiben!
Du benutzt '-er' meistens bei Adjektiven und Adverbien mit einer Silbe (z.B. tall → taller, fast → faster). Auch bei Adjektiven mit zwei Silben, die auf '-y' enden (z.B. happy → happier). Denk dran, wie praktisch das ist!
Das bedeutet, dass die Vergleichsform eines Adjektivs oder Adverbs nicht den normalen Regeln folgt, bei denen man '-er' oder 'more' hinzufügt. Stattdessen ändert sich das Wort komplett, wie 'good' zu 'better'. Good becoming better.
Weil 'good' ein unregelmäßiges Adjektiv ist. Seine Komparativform hat sich im Laufe der Zeit im Englischen anders entwickelt. Deshalb sagen wir 'better', um zwei Dinge zu vergleichen, nicht 'gooder'. Good becoming better.
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