Comparing Things (bigger, more expensive)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use comparatives to describe the difference between two people, places, or things using '-er' or 'more'.
- Add '-er' to short words (1 syllable), like 'fast' to 'faster'.
- Use 'more' before long words (2+ syllables), like 'more beautiful'.
- Always use 'than' to connect the two things you are comparing.
Overview
We compare things to show they are different. We use special words for this. These words show how things are different.
For example: "This city is bigger than that city." You show the difference in size.
Learning this helps you talk more. You can talk about prices or weather. You can say your opinion. Your English will be better.
English has two ways to compare. We use "-er" or "more". This helps the words sound good.
How This Grammar Works
- 1Adding
-er: This suffix is typically attached to shorter adjectives and adverbs. - 2Using
more: This word is placed before longer adjectives and adverbs.
than, the comparison often feels incomplete or ambiguous.This book is more interesting than that movie.(Comparing two items: book and movie)She runs faster than he does.(Comparing two actions/performers: her running and his running)Our new apartment is bigger than our old one.(Comparing two items: new apartment and old apartment)
Formation Pattern
tall | taller | My brother is taller than my sister. |
cold | colder | It’s colder today than it was yesterday. |
fast | faster | This new car goes faster than the old model. |
-e: If the word already ends in -e, simply add -r. Do not add another -e. This avoids a redundant spelling and awkward appearance. For example, large doesn't become largeer, but larger.
nice → nicer (e.g., This hotel is nicer than the last one.)
safe → safer (e.g., It feels safer here at night.)
wide → wider (e.g., The new road is wider than the old path.)
big → bigger (e.g., The elephant is bigger than the tiger.)
hot → hotter (e.g., The kitchen is hotter than the living room.)
thin → thinner (e.g., He looks thinner after his holiday.)
happy | happier | She looks much happier now than before. |
easy | easier | This exercise is easier than I expected. |
funny | funnier | That movie was funnier than the first one. |
expensive | more expensive | Your jacket is more expensive than mine. |
interesting| more interesting | The book was more interesting than the film. |
difficult | more difficult | Learning Japanese is more difficult than learning Spanish. |
good | better | This restaurant has better food than that one. |
well | better | I feel much better today than yesterday. |
bad | worse | The traffic is worse on Mondays. |
badly | worse | He drives worse when he’s tired. |
far | farther/further | My house is farther from the city center. (physical distance) |
many | more | There are more people here today. |
little | less | I have less time than I thought. |
When To Use It
- To state a preference or express an opinion: When you like one thing more than another, or believe one option is superior. For example,
I like tea better than coffee.orThis city is more exciting than my hometown. - To describe changes over time: To indicate how something has evolved or altered from one point to another. For instance,
The weather is colder than last week,orShe is more confident than she used to be. - To contrast qualities of two nouns: Directly comparing attributes between two subjects.
This phone's camera is better than that one's,orHis car is older than mine. - To compare the way two actions are performed: When assessing how two different actions are executed.
He works harder than his colleague,orShe sings more beautifully than anyone else I know.
Common Mistakes
- Double Comparatives: One of the most frequent mistakes is combining
morewith the-ersuffix. English does not permit this redundancy. You must choose one method for comparison, not both. This error often arises from overgeneralization of themorerule or simply forgetting the-erform for short adjectives. - Incorrect:
This book is more interestinger than that one. - Correct:
This book is more interesting than that one. - Incorrect:
The new model is more faster than the old one. - Correct:
The new model is faster than the old one.
- Omitting
than: When you are explicitly comparing two items, the wordthanis almost always required to complete the comparison. Leaving it out makes the sentence grammatically incomplete and can lead to confusion about what is being compared. - Incorrect:
My car is faster your car. - Correct:
My car is faster than your car. - Incorrect:
She earns more I do. - Correct:
She earns more than I do.
- Confusing Comparatives with Superlatives: Comparatives are strictly for comparing two items, while superlatives (
the best,the most expensive) are used for comparing three or more items. Using a superlative when only two items are involved is a very common error. For example, when choosing between two options, you select thebetterone, notthe bestone. - Incorrect:
Between the two shirts, this one is the prettiest. - Correct:
Between the two shirts, this one is prettier. - Incorrect:
Who is the tallest, John or Paul? - Correct:
Who is taller, John or Paul?
- Overuse of
morewith one-syllable words: Whilemoreis essential for longer words, it is incorrect to use it with most one-syllable adjectives or adverbs.More tallis ungrammatical; the correct form istaller. Always prioritize the-ersuffix for short words unless it's an irregular form.
Real Conversations
In everyday English, comparatives are indispensable for making quick evaluations, expressing opinions, and navigating choices. They allow for concise communication in diverse modern contexts, from casual chat to social media and work emails.
- Shopping and Product Reviews:
- This laptop is lighter and has a better battery life than my old one. (Comparing new vs. old laptop)
- Do you have this shirt in a larger size? This one's too small. (Implicit comparison to the current size)
- On social media: New phone camera is way better! (Implicit comparison to previous phone)
- Socializing and Personal Opinions:
- I think this restaurant's food is tastier than the place we went to last week. (Expressing a preference)
- You look much happier now that you've changed jobs. (Noticing a change)
- Texting: R u feeling better? (Implicitly comparing to a previous state of health)
- Work and School:
- Can we finish this report earlier than the deadline? (Comparing desired completion time to actual deadline)
- Her presentation was clearer and more persuasive than his. (Evaluating two presentations)
- Work email: I'll send the updated figures later today. (Comparing to an earlier anticipated sending time)
Notice how in casual speech, and especially in texting, than might sometimes be omitted if the context is absolutely clear, or if the comparison is implicitly made with a previous state (Are you feeling better?). However, for A2 learners, it's generally best practice to include than for clarity until you develop a more nuanced intuitive grasp of when it can be safely dropped.
Quick FAQ
- Can I compare more than two things with comparatives?
the biggest, the most interesting).- Is
more betterever correct?
- What about
less? How does it fit in?
- Can I use words like
muchora lotwith comparatives?
- How do I know if a two-syllable adjective takes
-erormoreif it doesn't end in-y?
Comparative Formation Rules
| Adjective Type | Rule | Example Adjective | Comparative Form |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 Syllable
|
Add -er
|
Fast
|
Faster
|
|
1 Syllable (CVC)
|
Double consonant + -er
|
Big
|
Bigger
|
|
1 Syllable (ends in e)
|
Add -r
|
Nice
|
Nicer
|
|
2 Syllables (ends in y)
|
y -> i + -er
|
Happy
|
Happier
|
|
2+ Syllables
|
Use 'more'
|
Expensive
|
More expensive
|
|
Irregular
|
Memorize
|
Good
|
Better
|
|
Irregular
|
Memorize
|
Bad
|
Worse
|
|
Irregular
|
Memorize
|
Far
|
Further/Farther
|
Meanings
Comparative adjectives are used to compare differences between the two objects they modify (larger, smaller, faster, higher). They are used in sentences where two nouns are compared.
Superiority (More)
To show that one thing has a higher quality or degree of a trait than another.
“This book is more interesting than the last one.”
“She is taller than her brother.”
Inferiority (Less)
To show that one thing has a lower quality or degree of a trait.
“This phone is less expensive than that one.”
“The movie was less exciting than the trailer.”
Equality (As...as)
To show that two things are equal in a specific quality.
“He is as tall as his father.”
“This cake is as delicious as the one you made.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative (Short)
|
Subject + be + Adj-er + than + Object
|
She is taller than me.
|
|
Affirmative (Long)
|
Subject + be + more + Adj + than + Object
|
This is more useful than that.
|
|
Negative
|
Subject + be + not + Adj-er + than + Object
|
He is not older than his brother.
|
|
Interrogative
|
Be + Subject + Adj-er + than + Object?
|
Is this box heavier than that one?
|
|
Short Answer
|
Yes, [Subject] + be / No, [Subject] + be + not
|
Yes, it is. / No, it isn't.
|
|
Inferiority
|
Subject + be + less + Adj + than + Object
|
The bus is less comfortable than the train.
|
|
Equality
|
Subject + be + as + Adj + as + Object
|
I am as hungry as a horse.
|
Formality Spectrum
The first candidate appears to be more experienced than the second. (Hiring process)
The first person has more experience than the second one. (Hiring process)
The first guy is more experienced. (Hiring process)
The first one's got way more street cred. (Hiring process)
Comparative Adjective Rules
Short Words
- Fast -> Faster Add -er
- Big -> Bigger Double letter
Long Words
- More Beautiful Use 'more'
- More Modern Use 'more'
Comparing Two Objects
Which form should I use?
Is it 1 syllable?
Does it end in -y?
Irregular Comparatives
Irregulars
- • Good -> Better
- • Bad -> Worse
- • Far -> Further
Examples by Level
My cat is smaller than your dog.
I am taller than my sister.
This car is faster.
Tea is hotter than water.
This phone is more expensive than that one.
The city is noisier than the countryside.
Your English is better than last year.
Is the bus cheaper than the train?
This exercise is much easier than the previous one.
The new model is slightly more efficient.
He speaks more fluently than he did before.
I feel less tired today than yesterday.
The more you practice, the better you become.
The results were far more impressive than we anticipated.
The situation is getting more and more complicated.
She is no more capable than her predecessor.
The proposal was all the more convincing for its brevity.
He is taller than I am.
The weather was rather more pleasant than predicted.
It was a far cry from the earlier, simpler versions.
The argument is none the stronger for being repeated.
He was a man of no lesser stature than the king himself.
The more's the pity that we didn't arrive earlier.
Her performance was significantly more nuanced than her debut.
Easily Confused
Learners use superlatives (best, biggest) when only comparing two things.
These words sound similar but have completely different meanings.
Using both 'more' and '-er' on the same adjective.
Common Mistakes
He is more tall than me.
He is taller than me.
This is more better.
This is better.
I am taller that him.
I am taller than him.
My car is biger than yours.
My car is bigger than yours.
It is more easy now.
It is easier now.
She is more happy than before.
She is happier than before.
This is badder than that.
This is worse than that.
The movie was less better than I thought.
The movie was not as good as I thought.
He is more taller.
He is much taller.
I have more few books than you.
I have fewer books than you.
He is the taller of the three.
He is the tallest of the three.
It's getting more and more hot.
It's getting hotter and hotter.
I prefer tea than coffee.
I prefer tea to coffee.
Sentence Patterns
My ___ is ___er than yours.
This ___ is more ___ than that one.
I think ___ is better than ___.
The ___er it is, the more ___ it becomes.
Real World Usage
This model is much quieter than the previous version.
I am looking for a more challenging role.
I'm looking for someone taller than 6 feet.
This SUV is safer and more reliable for families.
Tomorrow will be colder and windier than today.
Is there a cheaper flight available?
The Syllable Clap
The 'Than' Trap
Emphasis
Polite Comparisons
Smart Tips
Always change the 'y' to 'i' before adding '-er'. It works for happy, busy, easy, and crazy!
Use 'much' or 'a bit' to show the size of the difference.
In casual English, we use 'than me' or 'than him'. In very formal English, we use 'than I am' or 'than he is'.
Use 'the [comparative] one' to choose between two items without repeating the noun.
Pronunciation
The Schwa sound in '-er'
The '-er' ending is almost always pronounced as a weak schwa /ə/. Do not stress it.
Linking 'than'
The word 'than' is usually reduced to /ðən/ and links to the following word.
Comparison Stress
This one is BIGGER than that one.
Stress the comparative adjective to emphasize the difference.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Short words get 'er' (like a motor), long words get 'more' (like a crowd).
Visual Association
Imagine a tiny mouse with a long tail shaped like the letters 'ER' standing next to a giant elephant wearing a shirt that says 'MORE'.
Rhyme
Short gets -er, long gets more, use 'than' to settle the score!
Story
A small ant (Short) wanted to be a runner, so he became 'faster'. A beautiful butterfly (Long) didn't want to change her name, so she just became 'more beautiful'. They both had to cross the 'Than' bridge to finish the race.
Word Web
Challenge
Look around your room. Find two objects and say three sentences comparing them out loud (e.g., 'The lamp is taller than the book').
Cultural Notes
Americans often use 'farther' for physical distance and 'further' for metaphorical distance. British speakers often use 'further' for both.
In Japanese culture, direct comparisons can sometimes be seen as too blunt. In English, however, they are expected and necessary for clarity.
German speakers may find the English use of 'more' for long adjectives similar to their own 'mehr', but must remember that German also uses suffixes for almost all adjectives.
The '-er' suffix comes from the Old English '-ra', which was used to form comparatives in Germanic languages.
Conversation Starters
Which is better: living in a big city or a small village?
Compare your current phone with your previous one.
Is it better to be a student or an employee?
How has your life changed in the last five years?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
My house is ___ (big) than yours.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
This coffee is more better than the one I had yesterday.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
I am taller ___ my father.
Pick the irregular comparative.
This book is ___ (interesting) than the movie.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesMy house is ___ (big) than yours.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
This coffee is more better than the one I had yesterday.
than / is / My / faster / car / yours
Match the following:
I am taller ___ my father.
Pick the irregular comparative.
This book is ___ (interesting) than the movie.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesThis bed is much ___ (comfortable) than the old one.
Choose the correct sentence:
Living in the city is excitinger than the countryside.
Translate into English: 'El examen fue más difícil de lo que pensaba.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
This path is ___ (narrow) than the main road.
Match the adjectives with their comparative forms:
Our team's presentation was gooder than theirs.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Mi bicicleta es más vieja que la tuya.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the adjectives with their comparative forms:
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
Double the last letter for one-syllable words that end in a single vowel + single consonant (like `big` -> `bigger`, `hot` -> `hotter`). Do not double it if there are two vowels (like `cheap` -> `cheaper`).
Both are correct! In American English, `farther` is usually for physical distance and `further` is for metaphorical distance (like 'further information'). In British English, `further` is common for both.
Both are actually correct! Some two-syllable words like `clever`, `simple`, and `narrow` can take either form, though `-er` is more traditional.
Because `better` already means 'more good'. Saying `more better` is like saying 'more more good', which is redundant and incorrect in standard English.
`Than` is for comparing things (He is taller `than` me). `Then` is for time or sequences (I went home, `then` I ate dinner).
Use the structure `as + adjective + as`. For example, 'I am `as tall as` my brother.'
Yes! For example, 'He runs `faster` than me' or 'She speaks `more clearly` than her friend.' The rules for syllables are the same.
You can use `less + adjective + than`. For example, 'This phone is `less expensive` than that one.'
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
más + adjective + que
English has two systems (-er and more), while Spanish only has one (más).
plus + adjective + que
French never changes the ending of the adjective to mean 'more'.
adjective + -er + als
German uses the suffix for almost all adjectives, whereas English switches to 'more' for long ones.
A no hou ga B yori [adj]
Japanese grammar structure for comparison is completely different from the English SVO structure.
Elative form (Af'al)
Arabic uses a morphological internal change rather than a simple suffix or prefix.
A bǐ B + adjective
Chinese has no inflection or 'more' equivalent within the comparative sentence.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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