ComparativesComparatives

Making ComparisonsMaking Comparisons To compare people orTo compare people or things in terms of things in terms of moremore or or lessless use the use the following formula.following formula.

más más + + adj./noun/adv.adj./noun/adv.++ queque

menosmenos

ComparisonsComparisons

más = moremás = moremenos = lessmenos = lessque = than que = than

Comparisons with NounsComparisons with Nouns

Tengo Tengo más clases más clases queque mi amigo. mi amigo.

Nosotros tenemos Nosotros tenemos más tarea quemás tarea que ellos. ellos.

Comparisons with Comparisons with AdverbsAdverbs

later = more late later = more late thanthan

Los estudiantes Los estudiantes llegan más tardellegan más tarde que los profesores. que los profesores.

Comparisons with Comparisons with AdjectivesAdjectives

taller than = taller than = more tall thanmore tall thanmás alto quemás alto que

Adjective AgreementAdjective AgreementThe adjective will always The adjective will always agree with the person at the agree with the person at the beginning of the sentence.beginning of the sentence.

Ana es Ana es más altmás altaa que que Paco.Paco.

Paco es Paco es más altmás altoo que que Ana.Ana.

Adjective AgreementAdjective AgreementThe adjective will always The adjective will always agree with the person at the agree with the person at the beginning of the sentence.beginning of the sentence.

Ana es Ana es más altmás altaa que que Paco.Paco.

Paco es Paco es más altmás altoo que que Ana.Ana.

IrregularsIrregulars In English we would In English we would never say: Pizza is “more never say: Pizza is “more good” or “gooder” than good” or “gooder” than ice cream. ice cream.

Instead we would say Instead we would say “better”“better”

más bueno más bueno mejor(es) mejor(es) bienbien

IrregularsIrregulars In English we would In English we would never say: Pizza is never say: Pizza is “more bad or badder” “more bad or badder” than ice cream. than ice cream.

Instead we would say Instead we would say “worse”“worse”

más malo más malo peor(es) peor(es) malmal

IrregularsIrregulars There are two more There are two more irregulars that are used irregulars that are used when talking about people. when talking about people.

viejo – oldviejo – oldolder than – mayor(es) queolder than – mayor(es) quejóven - youngjóven - youngyounger than – menor(es) younger than – menor(es) queque

better thanbetter than = mejor(es) que = mejor(es) queworse thanworse than = peor(es) que = peor(es) queolder thanolder than = mayor(es) que = mayor(es) queyounger thanyounger than= menor(es) = menor(es) queque

Mis amigos son Mis amigos son mayores mayores queque sus amigos. sus amigos.

Notice that the irregulars Notice that the irregulars DO NOT use DO NOT use más/menosmás/menos

better thanbetter than = mejor(es) que = mejor(es) queworse thanworse than = peor(es) que = peor(es) queolder thanolder than = mayor(es) que = mayor(es) queyounger thanyounger than= menor(es) = menor(es) queque

Note: For Note: For things, things, do NOT do NOT use mayor/menor. Use: use mayor/menor. Use:

más viejo (a,os,as) for más viejo (a,os,as) for “older”“older”

más nuevo (a,os,as): newer más nuevo (a,os,as): newer

NoteNote With With nounsnouns and and adverbs adverbs you can you can

use any verb you want. use any verb you want. Yo Yo tengotengo más libros que mi más libros que mi

amigo. amigo. Ella Ella correcorre más rápido que yo. más rápido que yo. NOTE: You don’t have to worry NOTE: You don’t have to worry

about agreement with adverbs about agreement with adverbs and nouns.and nouns.

Note: you use subject pronouns Note: you use subject pronouns after “que” (yo, tú, él etc.)after “que” (yo, tú, él etc.)

NoteNote With With adjectivesadjectives you you usually use the verb usually use the verb “ser”“ser” which is used for which is used for descriptions. descriptions.

Yo Yo soysoy más alta que ella. más alta que ella. Nosotros Nosotros somossomos más más inteligentes que Uds. inteligentes que Uds.

(soy, eres, es, somos, (soy, eres, es, somos, sois, son)sois, son)

NoteNote However, if you are However, if you are talking about how talking about how something is something is feelingfeeling be be sure to use the verb sure to use the verb “estar.”“estar.”

Ella Ella estáestá más contenta más contenta que él. que él.

Yo Yo estoyestoy más enfermo más enfermo que mi amigo. que mi amigo.

NoteNote You use subject You use subject pronouns after the pronouns after the “que” when making a “que” when making a comparison. comparison.

Ella corre más rápido Ella corre más rápido que yo. (que yo corro)que yo. (que yo corro)

Expressing Expressing “than”“than”

Expressing “than”Expressing “than” To express “To express “thanthan” before ” before

numerals in affirmative numerals in affirmative sentences, “sentences, “dede” is used, except ” is used, except if the sentence is negative. if the sentence is negative.

Anoche, yo dormí más Anoche, yo dormí más dede 8 8 horas. horas.

Anoche,no dormí más Anoche,no dormí más dede 8 8 horashoras.* .*

*This is often translated as *This is often translated as only.only.

I only slept 8 hours.I only slept 8 hours.

Expressing “than”Expressing “than” If the 2If the 2ndnd part of an unequal part of an unequal

comparison has a comparison has a new verbnew verb, , one of the following will be one of the following will be used: used:

del quedel que de los que de los que de la quede la que de las quede las que de lo quede lo que (if there is no noun (if there is no noun

to which to which it could refer)it could refer)

Expressing “than”Expressing “than” If the 2If the 2ndnd part of qcomparison has part of qcomparison has

a a new verbnew verb, use one of the , use one of the following: following: Ella gasta más dinero Ella gasta más dinero del quedel que gana. gana.

El equipo gana más partidos El equipo gana más partidos de los de los queque pierden.pierden.

Pido más pizza Pido más pizza de la quede la que preparan.preparan. Tengo más pulseras Tengo más pulseras de las quede las que

necesito.necesito. (than those that) (than those that) Ella era más bonitaElla era más bonita de lo quede lo que

pensabapensaba.. (concept of her being pretty, there (concept of her being pretty, there

isn’t a specific noun)isn’t a specific noun)

SuperlativeSuperlativess

The SuperlativeThe Superlative We know how to say:We know how to say:tall – tall – altoaltotaller- more tall taller- more tall más altomás altotallest – the most talltallest – the most tall el/la más alto(a)el/la más alto(a)

The FormulaThe Formula

elellalalos los laslas

másmásmenmenosos

(noun)

adadjj

(de(de))

•the tallest boy

•the boy most tall

•the tallest the most tall

The article (el, la, los, The article (el, la, los, las) and adjective will las) and adjective will always agree in gender always agree in gender and number with the and number with the noun being described.noun being described.

the tallest studentthe tallest studentthe student most tallthe student most tallel estudiante más altoel estudiante más alto the tallest (the tallest (el más altoel más alto))

Notice how “de” is Notice how “de” is used instead of “en” used instead of “en” when using the when using the superlative. superlative.

Paco esPaco es el estudiante el estudiante más alto más alto dede la clase la clase. .

Paco is Paco is the tallest the tallest studentstudent in the class. in the class.

•Chela es Chela es la más alta la más alta dede su familia.su familia.

•Chela is Chela is the tallestthe tallest in in her family. her family.

•Chela es Chela es la (chica) más la (chica) más altaalta de su familia. de su familia.

•Chela is Chela is the tallest girlthe tallest girl

IrregularsIrregularsThere are 4 irregulars:There are 4 irregulars:mejor(es) mejor(es) (bueno/bien)(bueno/bien)peor(es)peor(es) (malo/mal)(malo/mal)mayor(es)mayor(es) (viejo)(viejo)menor(es)menor(es) (joven) (joven)However, they have However, they have two different two different formations. formations.

“ “mejor” and “peor” come b4 the mejor” and “peor” come b4 the nounnounelel

lalalolos s lalass

mejor(emejor(es)s)peor(espeor(es))

(nou(noun)n)

(de(de))

el mejor gato

el peor perrothe best cat

the worst dog

““mayor/menor” after the mayor/menor” after the nounnoun elel

lalalolos s lalass

mayor(emayor(es)s)menor(emenor(es)s)

(nou(noun)n)

(de(de))

la persona mayor

los chicos menoresthe oldest person

the youngest boys

•Summary:Summary:•mejor(es)mejor(es) and and peor(es) peor(es) come in front of the nouncome in front of the noun

•mayor(es)mayor(es) and and menor(es) menor(es) come after the nouncome after the noun

•You do NOT use You do NOT use más/menos with más/menos with irregularsirregulars

•Summary:Summary:•You don’t always You don’t always have to have a noun have to have a noun in the sentence.in the sentence.

•You must have “the”You must have “the”•You must have You must have agreementagreement

•Summary:Summary:•If you want to say If you want to say “in” you must use “in” you must use “de.”“de.”

•You will NEVER use You will NEVER use “que” or compare to “que” or compare to specific peoplespecific people

•Remember:Remember:•mayormayor and and menormenor are are only used with only used with peoplepeople

•the oldest girlthe oldest girl•la chica mayorla chica mayor•the oldest bookthe oldest book•el libro más viejoel libro más viejo

ísimo, a, os, asísimo, a, os, as

: adding a sense of very: adding a sense of very:extremely, super, very, :extremely, super, very, exceptionallyexceptionally

::emphasizes the emphasizes the adj.adj.

Las reglasLas reglas11. . If the adjective If the adjective ends in a vowelends in a vowel : drop : drop the vowel before the vowel before adding the ending:adding the ending:

grande + ísimogrande + ísimo

grandísimo

Las reglasLas reglas2. 2. If the adjective If the adjective ends in a consonantends in a consonant : : simply add the ending simply add the ending to the singular formto the singular form

mal + ísimomal + ísimo

malísimo

Spelling Spelling ChangesChangesoccurs when the occurs when the

adjective ends with :adjective ends with :c, g or z c, g or z

(after taking off end (after taking off end vowel)vowel)

c c gg z z

qu gu c

Spelling Spelling ChangesChangesoccurs when the occurs when the

adjective ends with :adjective ends with :c, g or zc, g or z (sometimes (sometimes after taking off end after taking off end vowel)vowel)riricco o larlarggooferoferozz

riquísimolarguísimoferocísimo

Make sure the Make sure the ending of ísimo ending of ísimo

agrees with the noun agrees with the noun it is describing.it is describing. ísimo/a/os/asísimo/a/os/as

Las montañasLas montañas son altísimson altísimasas..

AccentsAccentsAll other accents All other accents will drop. will drop.

fácil fácil facilísimo facilísimoThe tilde (ñ) will The tilde (ñ) will stay.stay.

pequeñopequeñopequeñísipequeñísimomo

muchísimo – very muchmuchísimo – very much a very lota very lotWhen used as an adjective When used as an adjective you will have agreement: you will have agreement:

Ella tiene muchísima tarea.Ella tiene muchísima tarea.When it’s used as an When it’s used as an adverb it always takes the adverb it always takes the masculine singular form. masculine singular form.

Ellos corren muchísimo Ellos corren muchísimo porque quieren estar en porque quieren estar en buena forma.buena forma.

Adverbs Adverbs

• Forming adverbs:Forming adverbs:• Most adverbs are formed by Most adverbs are formed by adding “-mente” to the adding “-mente” to the feminine form of the feminine form of the adjective.adjective.

• ““-mente” is equivalent to “--mente” is equivalent to “-ly” in Englishly” in English

• rápido rápido rápid rápidamenteamente (quickly)(quickly)

• fácil fácil fácil fácilmentemente (easily)(easily)• alegre alegre alegre alegrementemente (happily)(happily)

• Adverbs can be used in Adverbs can be used in comparatives just like comparatives just like adjectives. adjectives.

• The only difference is that The only difference is that there isn’t any agreement there isn’t any agreement because you are modifying because you are modifying the verbs and not a noun. the verbs and not a noun.

• Ellas corren más Ellas corren más rápidamenterápidamente que yo.que yo.

•

• With the superlative, the With the superlative, the neuter article “lo” is used. neuter article “lo” is used.

• Ella llegó lo más temprano Ella llegó lo más temprano posible. posible.

• She arrived the earliest She arrived the earliest possible.possible.

• To form adverbs from adjectives To form adverbs from adjectives in “-ísimo”, add “-mente” to the in “-ísimo”, add “-mente” to the feminine form of the adjective.feminine form of the adjective.

• rápidorápidorápidamente rápidamente (quickly)(quickly)• rápidorápidorapidísimo (a,os,as)rapidísimo (a,os,as)• (really fast)(really fast)• rapidísimamente (really quickly)rapidísimamente (really quickly)• Ellos corren rapidísimamente Ellos corren rapidísimamente

porque quieren ganar la porque quieren ganar la carretera.carretera.

Review of:Review of:adjective adjective

agreement,agreement,ser,ser,

nouns & articlesnouns & articles

Adjective AgreementAdjective AgreementAdjectives describe Adjectives describe nouns and pronouns.nouns and pronouns.

In Spanish, they agree In Spanish, they agree with the noun:with the noun:

in number in number (singular/plural)(singular/plural)

in gender in gender (masculine/feminine)(masculine/feminine)

Adjective AgreementAdjective AgreementAdjectives usually come Adjectives usually come afterafter the noun described. the noun described.

a a talltall boy = un chico boy = un chico altoaltothe the redred house=la casa house=la casa rojaroja

the the bigbig books = books = los libros los libros grandesgrandes

Adjective AgreementAdjective AgreementAdjectives that end in “o” Adjectives that end in “o” have 4 forms: Example: have 4 forms: Example: altoalto

SingularSingular PluralPlural

MasculineMasculine altoalto altosaltos

FeminineFeminine altaalta altasaltas

Adjective AgreementAdjective AgreementAdjectives that end in “e” Adjectives that end in “e” only have 2 forms: Ex: only have 2 forms: Ex: inteligenteinteligenteSingularSingular PluralPlural

MasculiMasculinene

inteligeninteligentete

inteligentinteligenteses

FemininFemininee

inteligeninteligentete

inteligentinteligenteses

Adjective AgreementAdjective Agreement Adjectives that end in a Adjectives that end in a

consonant have 2 forms as well. consonant have 2 forms as well. Example: azulExample: azul

SingularSingular PluralPlural

MasculineMasculine azulazul azulesazules

FeminineFeminine azulazul azulesazules

Adjective AgreementAdjective Agreement EXCEPTION: If the adjective ends EXCEPTION: If the adjective ends

in “-or”, then you add an “a” for in “-or”, then you add an “a” for the feminine form so it has 4 the feminine form so it has 4 forms. Example: forms. Example: trabajadortrabajador

SingularSingular PluralPlural

MasculinMasculinee

trabajadotrabajadorr

trabajadortrabajadoreses

FeminiFemininene

trabajadotrabajadorara

trabajadortrabajadorasas

Adjective AgreementAdjective AgreementEXCEPTION: If the EXCEPTION: If the adjective ends in “-ista”, adjective ends in “-ista”, then it only has 2 forms. then it only has 2 forms. Example: Example: deportistadeportista

SingularSingular PluralPlural

MasculinMasculinee

deportistdeportistaa

deportistadeportistass

FeminiFemininene

deportistdeportistaa

deportistadeportistass

Adjective AgreementAdjective AgreementAdjectives that modify Adjectives that modify both a masculine and both a masculine and feminine noun use the feminine noun use the masculine plural form. masculine plural form.

el profesor y la el profesor y la profesora americanos profesora americanos

Location of Adjectives Location of Adjectives Descriptive adjectivesDescriptive adjectives usually come usually come afterafter the the noun.noun.

los libros los libros azulesazules However, if the adjective describes an inherent characterisitc, it can come before the noun.

la la blancablanca nieve nieve

Location of Adjectives Location of Adjectives Adjectives which limit or Adjectives which limit or quantify a noun quantify a noun ((indicate a number or indicate a number or amountamount) generally come ) generally come before the nounbefore the noun..

Había Había doscientasdoscientas personas. personas.

Tengo Tengo muchamucha tarea. tarea.

Adjectives that come before the Adjectives that come before the nounnoun

ambos ambos (both)(both)

otro otro (another)(another)

mejormejor peorpeor pocopoco muchomucho

alguno (algún)alguno (algún) ninguno ninguno

(ningún)(ningún) suficientesuficiente varios (various)varios (various) bastante bastante

(rather)(rather) demasiado demasiado (too (too

much/many)much/many)

Adjectives with meaning Adjectives with meaning changeschanges Some adjectives have a different Some adjectives have a different

meaning when place before a nounmeaning when place before a noun viejoviejo

un amigo un amigo viejo viejo -an old friend (age) -an old friend (age)un un viejo viejo amigo – amigo – an old friend (long time)an old friend (long time)

pobrepobreuna mujer una mujer pobrepobre- poor woman (no $)- poor woman (no $)una una pobrepobre mujer – poor woman mujer – poor woman (unfortunate)(unfortunate)

Adjectives with meaning Adjectives with meaning changeschanges mismomismo

el hombre el hombre mismomismo- the man himself- the man himself el el mismomismo hombre – the same man hombre – the same man

grandegrande una ciudad una ciudad grande grande -a big/ large city -a big/ large city una una gran gran cuidad – a great city cuidad – a great city

nuevonuevo un móvil un móvil nuevonuevo- a brand new cell - a brand new cell

phonephone un un nuevonuevo móvil – a new (different) móvil – a new (different)

phone phone

Adjectives with meaning Adjectives with meaning changeschanges ciertocierto

un hecho un hecho ciertocierto- a sure (beyond doubt) - a sure (beyond doubt) factfact ciertocierto hecho – a certain fact hecho – a certain fact

antiguoantiguo una casa una casa antigua antigua -an old/ancient house -an old/ancient house una una antigua antigua casa – a former house casa – a former house

únicoúnico una chica una chica únicaúnica- a unique girl- a unique girl una una únicaúnica chica – the only girl chica – the only girl

Adjectives with meaning Adjectives with meaning changeschanges semejantesemejante

una cosa una cosa semejantesemejante- a similar thing- a similar thing unauna semejante semejante cosa – such a thing cosa – such a thing

diferentediferente programas programas diferentesdiferentes-different -different programsprograms diferentes diferentes programas – various programas – various programsprograms

cualquiera cualquiera cualquiercualquier clase – any class clase – any class una chaqueta una chaqueta cualquieracualquiera – any old – any old

jacketjacket

Placement of AdjectivesPlacement of Adjectives Sometimes more than one Sometimes more than one

adjective will modify the adjective will modify the same noun. In such cases, same noun. In such cases, the adjective you want to the adjective you want to emphasize can come before emphasize can come before the noun and the other the noun and the other follows it. follows it.

un un famosofamoso artista artista modernomoderno a famous modern artista famous modern artist

Placement of AdjectivesPlacement of Adjectives At times, two or more adjectives At times, two or more adjectives

can follow the noun.can follow the noun. When just 2 adjectives follow a When just 2 adjectives follow a

noun “y” (e) is optional, but when noun “y” (e) is optional, but when three or more follow, “y” (e) is three or more follow, “y” (e) is needed between the last 2 needed between the last 2 adjectives.adjectives.

un hombre español viejoun hombre español viejo un libro grande un libro grande ee interesante interesante un animal fuerte, rápido un animal fuerte, rápido yy feroz feroz

Adjectives with shortened Adjectives with shortened formsforms Some adjectives have shortened Some adjectives have shortened

forms when they appear before a forms when they appear before a masculine singular noun. masculine singular noun.

bueno (hace buen tiempo)bueno (hace buen tiempo) malo (es un mal ejemplo)malo (es un mal ejemplo) primero (el primer partido)primero (el primer partido) tercero (el tercer verso)tercero (el tercer verso) alguno (algún día)alguno (algún día) ninguno (ningún chico)ninguno (ningún chico)

Adjectives with shortened Adjectives with shortened formsforms grandegrande and and cualquieracualquiera also have also have

shorted form before masculine shorted form before masculine AND feminine singular nouns, AND feminine singular nouns, but remember, that their but remember, that their meaning also changes. meaning also changes.

una gran novela (a great novel)una gran novela (a great novel) cualquier cosa (whatever thing)cualquier cosa (whatever thing) (anything)(anything)

NumbersNumbers CienCien represents the exact represents the exact

quantity quantity 100100 and and cientociento occurs in occurs in the numbers the numbers 101-199.101-199.

Cien Cien is used is used before all nounsbefore all nouns, , including “mil” and millones”. including “mil” and millones”.

A “A “dede” is always used when you ” is always used when you have a million of something. have a million of something.

Tengo dos millones Tengo dos millones dede dólares. dólares.

Nouns and ArticlesNouns and ArticlesAll Spanish nouns are All Spanish nouns are either masculine or either masculine or feminine. feminine.

Most nouns that refer to Most nouns that refer to males are masculine.males are masculine.

Most nouns that refer to Most nouns that refer to females are feminine. females are feminine.

el actor / la actrizel actor / la actriz

Nouns and ArticlesNouns and ArticlesThe definite articles (the) The definite articles (the) are:are:

SingularSingular PluralPlural

MasculineMasculine elel loslos

FeminineFeminine lala laslas

Nouns and ArticlesNouns and Articles The indefinite articles (a, an The indefinite articles (a, an

or some) are:or some) are:

SingularSingular PluralPlural

MasculineMasculine unun unosunos

FeminineFeminine unauna unasunas

Nouns and ArticlesNouns and ArticlesMost nouns that end in the Most nouns that end in the following letters are masculine:following letters are masculine:

-o, -or, -ón, -ma/-pa -o, -or, -ón, -ma/-pa

el el sombrerosombrero

el el profesorprofesor

el el cinturóncinturón

el el problemaproblema el mapael mapa

el el trabajadotrabajadorr

Nouns and ArticlesNouns and ArticlesMost nouns that end in the Most nouns that end in the following letters are feminine:following letters are feminine:

-a, -ción/sión, -dad/-tad-a, -ción/sión, -dad/-tad

la camisala camisa la la nataciónnatación

la la televisiótelevisiónn

la verdadla verdadla la libertadlibertad

Nouns and ArticlesNouns and ArticlesThe gender of nouns with The gender of nouns with other endings is learned other endings is learned through practice.through practice.

el relojel reloj la clasela claseel lápizel lápiz

(los (los lápices)lápices)

la gentela gente

Nouns and ArticlesNouns and ArticlesAnd of course…there are And of course…there are irregulars:irregulars:

el díael día la manola mano

la florla flor

Nouns and ArticlesNouns and ArticlesLastly, “-ista” words Lastly, “-ista” words always end in “-ista”always end in “-ista”

el artistael artista la artistala artista

Picasso es un artista talentosPicasso es un artista talentosoo..Notice that the agreement Notice that the agreement remains.remains.

AccentsAccentsRule # 1: Rule # 1: Nouns that end in a Nouns that end in a vowel, nvowel, n or or ss have an have an oral stress on the oral stress on the second to last syllable.second to last syllable.

hhaablo, jblo, jooven, lven, liibros, cbros, caasasa

AccentsAccentsRule # 2:Rule # 2:Nouns that end in a Nouns that end in a consonantconsonant (other than (other than n/s) have a stress on the n/s) have a stress on the last syllable. last syllable.

azazuul, cartl, carteel, l,

AccentsAccentsWhen some nouns are When some nouns are made plural, accents made plural, accents may be added or may be added or dropped in order to keep dropped in order to keep the same sound. the same sound.

An accent mark is only An accent mark is only used to tell you to used to tell you to break break the rule. the rule.

el joven:el joven: rule says to pronounce rule says to pronounce this work with an oral stress on this work with an oral stress on the 2the 2ndnd to last syllable. (the “o”) to last syllable. (the “o”)

el joven el joven jóvenes jóvenes

But…when “joven” is made But…when “joven” is made plural it is altering the sound. In plural it is altering the sound. In order to stop this from order to stop this from happening you add the accent happening you add the accent mark to “break the rule” above mark to “break the rule” above the original sound which is the the original sound which is the “o.”“o.”

AccentsAccentsel examen el examen los exámenes los exámenes

Sometimes it happens the other way Sometimes it happens the other way around so accent mark is no longer around so accent mark is no longer neededneeded

la lección la lección las lecciones las lecciones

el autobús el autobús los autobuses los autobuses