A2 · Elemental Capítulo 3

Making Comparisons

6 Reglas totales
68 ejemplos
6 min
Reglas en este capítulo Práctica rápida

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.

Lo que aprenderás

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.

Guía del capítulo

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.

Ejemplos clave (8)

1

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

Mi nuevo teléfono es más rápido que el viejo.

Comparativos: -er y more
2

This movie is `more interesting` than the book.

Esta película es más interesante que el libro.

Comparativos: -er y more
3

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

Este nuevo teléfono es mucho mejor que el viejo.

Comparativos Irregulares: better, worse, more
4

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

El tiempo hoy es peor que ayer; está lloviendo.

Comparativos Irregulares: better, worse, more
5

My new phone is as light as a feather.

Mi nuevo teléfono es tan ligero como una pluma.

Comparaciones de igualdad (as...as)
6

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

La secuela de Netflix no es tan buena como la primera temporada.

Comparaciones de igualdad (as...as)
7

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

Monte Everest es la montaña más alta del mundo.

Superlativos: El Mejor y el Peor (-est / most)
8

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

Para mí, el verano es la mejor estación de todas.

Superlativos: El Mejor y el Peor (-est / most)

Consejos y trucos (4)

💡

Escucha las sílabas

Si el adjetivo es corto como 'cold', añade -er. Si es largo como 'beautiful', usa more.
It is colder today.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comparar cosas (más grande, más caro)
💡

¡Cuenta tus sílabas!

El número de sílabas es tu mejor amigo. ¿Una sílaba? Añade -er. ¿Dos o más (que no terminen en -y)? Usa 'more'. ¡Es tu guía principal! Fast becomes faster.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comparativos: -er y more
💡

Practica con frases comunes

Intenta usar 'better than', 'worse than', y 'more than' en tus conversaciones diarias. Cuanto más los uses, más naturales se sentirán. Por ejemplo:
My coffee is better than yours!
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comparativos Irregulares: better, worse, more
⚠️

La Trampa del Comparativo

¡Ojo! Nunca uses palabras que terminan en '-er' o 'more' dentro de 'as...as'. Por ejemplo, di 'as smart as', nunca 'as smarter as'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comparaciones de igualdad (as...as)

Vocabulario clave (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

Real-World Preview

shopping-cart

Shopping for a Gift

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

Errores comunes

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

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

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

Wrong: This is the most best cake.
Correcto: 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.
Correcto: 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: ¡Cuéntame tu historia! Domina el pasado y las acciones regulares

Práctica rápida (10)

¿Qué frase es gramaticalmente correcta?

Elige la comparación correcta:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The bus is as fast as the train.
La estructura correcta es 'as + adjetivo + as'. Aquí no usamos 'than' ni adjetivos comparativos.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comparaciones de igualdad (as...as)

Elige la forma comparativa irregular correcta para completar la oración.

This restaurant's food is much ___ than the cafe next door.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: better
'Good' tiene la forma comparativa irregular 'better'. No decimos 'gooder' o 'more good'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comparativos Irregulares: better, worse, more

¿Qué frase usa el superlativo correctamente?

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: That was the best meal.
'Good' es un adjetivo irregular, y su forma superlativa es 'the best'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Superlativos: El Mejor y el Peor (-est / most)

Elige la oración que usa correctamente un comparativo irregular.

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I need more sleep tonight.
'More' es el comparativo irregular de 'much' o 'many' (y 'a lot of'). 'Muncher' no es una palabra.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comparativos Irregulares: better, worse, more

Completa el espacio en blanco para terminar la comparación.

My cat is as ___ as yours. (lazy)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: lazy
En una comparación con 'as...as', debes usar la forma base del adjetivo 'lazy', no el comparativo 'lazier'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comparaciones de igualdad (as...as)

¿Qué frase usa correctamente un adjetivo comparativo?

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: This book is more interesting than that movie.
'Interesting' tiene tres sílabas, así que usamos 'more' antes para formar el comparativo. Añadir '-er' o usar 'more' y '-er' juntos es incorrecto.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comparativos: -er y more

¿Qué oración usa correctamente un superlativo irregular?

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He has the least money.
Least es el superlativo de little (para cantidad) y requiere the antes de él.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Superlativos Irregulares: Mejor, Peor y Más

Encuentra y corrige el error en la frase.

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' es un adjetivo corto (una sílaba), así que añadimos '-est' y recordamos 'the'. 'Smartest' es la forma correcta.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Superlativos: El Mejor y el Peor (-est / most)

Elige la forma superlativa correcta.

This is ___ coffee I've ever had!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: the best
Good es un adjetivo irregular, y su forma superlativa es best. Recuerda incluir the.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Superlativos Irregulares: Mejor, Peor y Más

Elige la forma comparativa correcta para completar la frase.

My new apartment is ___ than my old one.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: bigger
El adjetivo 'big' tiene una sílaba, así que duplicamos la 'g' y añadimos '-er'. 'More big' es incorrecto, y 'biggest' es un superlativo.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comparativos: -er y more

Score: /10

Preguntas frecuentes (6)

Es una forma del adjetivo que usamos para comparar dos cosas. Sirve para mostrar que una tiene más de una cualidad que la otra.
She is taller than her brother.
Lo usas para adjetivos cortos de una sílaba o de dos sílabas que terminan en -y. Por ejemplo, cold pasa a ser colder.
It is colder today.
Su propósito principal es comparar dos cosas, personas o acciones, mostrando cuál tiene más de cierta cualidad o realiza una acción en mayor grado. Por ejemplo,
This car is faster than that one.
Generalmente usas -er para adjetivos y adverbios de una sílaba (por ejemplo, tall → taller, fast → faster). También, para adjetivos de dos sílabas que terminan en -y (por ejemplo, happy → happier).
Significa que la forma comparativa de un adjetivo o adverbio no sigue las reglas usuales de añadir -er o 'more'. En cambio, la palabra cambia completamente, como 'good' que se convierte en 'better'.
Porque 'good' es un adjetivo irregular. Su forma comparativa se desarrolló de manera diferente a lo largo del tiempo en inglés, por eso decimos 'better' para comparar dos cosas, no 'gooder'.
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