Comparative Adjectives: Older Than, More Important Than
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use '-er than' for short words and 'more ... than' for long words to compare two things.
- Add -er to one-syllable adjectives: 'Tall' becomes 'Taller than'.
- Use 'more' before adjectives with two or more syllables: 'More beautiful than'.
- Always use 'than' to connect the two things being compared.
Comparative Adjectives
Compare two things using comparative adjectives.
| Type | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Short (1 syllable) | + er + than | older than, taller than |
| Ends in -e | + r + than | nicer than, larger than |
| CVC (big, hot) | double + er + than | bigger than, hotter than |
| Long (2+ syllables) | more + adj + than | more expensive than |
| Irregular | different form | better, worse, further |
Examples
- My sister is taller than me.
- This phone is more expensive than that one.
- Today is better than yesterday.
- This exercise is easier than the last one.
Comparative Formation Rules
| Adjective Type | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
1 Syllable
|
Add -er
|
fast -> faster
|
|
Ends in -e
|
Add -r
|
nice -> nicer
|
|
CVC Pattern
|
Double consonant + -er
|
big -> bigger
|
|
Ends in -y
|
Change y to i + -er
|
happy -> happier
|
|
2+ Syllables
|
Add 'more'
|
careful -> more careful
|
|
Irregular
|
Unique form
|
good -> better
|
Common Irregular Comparatives
| Adjective | Comparative |
|---|---|
|
Good
|
Better
|
|
Bad
|
Worse
|
|
Far
|
Farther/Further
|
|
Little
|
Less
|
Meanings
Comparative adjectives are used to compare differences between the two objects they modify.
Direct Comparison
Comparing the degree of a quality between two entities.
“She is faster than me.”
“This book is more interesting than that one.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subject + is + adj-er + than + object
|
He is taller than me.
|
|
Affirmative (Long)
|
Subject + is + more + adj + than + object
|
She is more kind than him.
|
|
Negative
|
Subject + is + less + adj + than + object
|
This is less expensive than that.
|
|
Question
|
Is + subject + adj-er + than + object?
|
Is this faster than that?
|
|
Short Answer
|
Yes, it is / No, it isn't
|
Yes, it is.
|
|
Irregular
|
Subject + is + better/worse + than + object
|
This is better than that.
|
Formality Spectrum
This option is more efficient than the previous one. (Work/Casual)
This is faster than the other one. (Work/Casual)
This one's quicker. (Work/Casual)
This one's way faster. (Work/Casual)
Comparative Adjective Map
Short
- Fast Faster
Long
- Beautiful More beautiful
Irregular
- Good Better
Size Comparison
Comparative Decision Tree
Is it 1 syllable?
Adjective Types
Short
- • Fast
- • Tall
- • Big
Long
- • Expensive
- • Beautiful
- • Important
Examples by Level
I am taller than you.
This is more expensive.
My bag is bigger.
He is faster than me.
The movie was more interesting than the book.
It is colder today than yesterday.
She is happier than before.
This car is better than that one.
The service was worse than last time.
He is more careful than his brother.
This task is less difficult than I thought.
The city is more crowded than the village.
It is much more expensive than I anticipated.
The results are significantly better than expected.
She is far more talented than her peers.
The situation is more complex than it appears.
The more you study, the easier it becomes.
He is getting better and better at tennis.
This is by far more efficient than the old method.
It is arguably more important than the initial goal.
The proposal is more radical than any previously submitted.
His performance was more nuanced than the critics suggested.
The data is more robust than the initial findings.
It is a more profound shift than we anticipated.
Easily Confused
Learners use 'the biggest' when comparing only two things.
Mixing up the comparative and superlative helper words.
Spelling confusion between the comparison word and the time word.
Common Mistakes
more taller
taller
taller that
taller than
more big
bigger
better than me
better than I am
happyer
happier
more good
better
more bad
worse
lesser than
less than
more funner
more fun
more easy
easier
the more big
the bigger
more better
better
more unique
unique
Sentence Patterns
___ is ___ than ___.
I think ___ is more ___ than ___.
___ is much ___ than ___.
The ___ you ___, the ___ you ___.
Real World Usage
This filter is way better than the original.
Ugh, this is harder than I thought.
I am more experienced than the other candidates.
Is the train faster than the bus?
This pizza is better than the last one.
The results are more significant than expected.
Check the syllables
Watch the 'y'
Irregulars first
Intensifiers
Smart Tips
Use -er for short, 'more' for long.
Memorize 'better' and 'worse' as a pair.
Use 'significantly' instead of 'way'.
Use 'less' for any length adjective.
Pronunciation
The -er sound
The -er suffix is pronounced as a schwa /ər/.
Rising-falling
It's BIGger than THAT.
Emphasis on the comparison.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Remember: 'Short words get a tail (-er), long words get a hat (more).'
Visual Association
Imagine a tiny mouse standing next to a giant elephant. The mouse says, 'I am smaller than you!' while the elephant says, 'I am more massive than you!'
Rhyme
If the word is short and sweet, add an -er to complete. If the word is long and grand, put a 'more' right in its hand.
Story
Once there was a cat named Shorty and a dog named Morey. Shorty was faster than Morey. Morey was more intelligent than Shorty. They always argued about who was better than the other.
Word Web
Challenge
Find two objects in your room and write three sentences comparing them using different adjectives.
Cultural Notes
Americans often use 'way' to intensify comparatives.
British speakers might use 'rather' or 'a bit' more frequently.
Australians often shorten adjectives and add -o or -ie before comparing.
The -er suffix comes from Old English '-ra', used to denote a higher degree.
Conversation Starters
Which is better: coffee or tea?
Is your city bigger than London?
Which job is more important: doctor or teacher?
Is life today more difficult than in the past?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
This book is ___ (interesting) than that one.
Find and fix the mistake:
He is more taller than me.
Which is correct?
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Es más grande que el mío.
Answer starts with: It ...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: Is this movie good? B: No, the other one was ___.
Use 'expensive' to compare a car and a bike.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesThis book is ___ (interesting) than that one.
Find and fix the mistake:
He is more taller than me.
Which is correct?
than / is / faster / This / that
Es más grande que el mío.
Good -> ?
A: Is this movie good? B: No, the other one was ___.
Use 'expensive' to compare a car and a bike.
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
No, short adjectives must use -er.
Some take -er, some take 'more'. When in doubt, 'more' is usually safer.
Yes, if you are comparing two things explicitly.
It's an irregular adjective from Old English.
No, that is a common mistake.
Use 'less' + adjective + 'than'.
Yes, it is standard in all registers.
Usually just add -r.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
más + adj + que
English has two forms; Spanish has one.
plus + adj + que
English uses suffix -er for short words.
adj + -er + als
German uses 'als' instead of 'than'.
A no hou ga B yori + adj
Japanese uses particles instead of suffixes.
af'al min
Arabic uses a root-based pattern.
A bi B + adj
Chinese does not change the adjective itself.
