Making Comparisonsin English

We often use comparisons because we want to talk about the differences between people, places, and things. Here is an example:

Janets house is bigger than Toms.Toms house is a lot smaller than Janets.3. Janets house is fancier and more elaborate than Toms house.

The comparative forms from the previous example are:-bigger than-smaller than-fancier than-more elaborate than

So . . . When do we use er and when do we use more?

How many syllables are the words: big and small? 1

For 1-syllable adjectives, JUST add er to the end.

Example:Tom is smarter than Joe.*If the 1-syllable adjective ends with the letter e, JUST add r to the end.

Examples: nicerwiser

**If the 1-syllable adjective has a C-V-C pattern, Double the consonant and add er.

Examples:San Francisco iswetterthan San Diego.San Diego isbigger than San Francisco.

For adjectives that end with the letter y, DROP the y and add ier.

Examples:Adjective = fancyJanets house is fancier than Toms.

Adjective = prettyJanets house is prettier than Toms.

Adjective = friendlyAlison is friendlier than Susan.

How many syllables is the word: elaborate? 4 (more than 1)

For adjectives that are 2 or more syllables, use more + the adjective to make the comparative form.

Examples:Adjective = elaborate Janets house is more elaborate than Toms.

Adjective = comfortableThis chair is more comfortable than that chair.

Irregular comparatives:

You MUST memorize these!

Examples:good = better thanfar = farther (further) thanbad=worsethan Adjective = good Saras grades are better than Michaels.

Grammar Rule:Never use both MORE and ER!

Incorrect:Lisas job is more better than mine.

Correct:Lisas job is better than mine.

Using less than

Sometimes we compare two things by using less than.

To do this, use LESS + adjective + THAN

When using less than, the adjective DOES NOT CHANGE

Examples:He is LESS energetic than my other teacher.

This class is LESS crowded than the other one.

New York City is LESS polluted than Los Angeles.

Rule . . .ADJECTIVECOMPARATIVE1. Adjectives with one syllable: add eroldbig cheap older thanbigger thancheaper than2. Adjectives that endin Y: drop Y, add ierfriendlybusy easyfriendlier thanbusier thaneasier than

3. Adjectives with two or more syllables: use more politebeautifulimportantmore polite thanmore beautiful thanmore important than4. Irregular forms: (memorize)goodbadfarbetter thanworse thanfarther/further than5. Less Thanquietcrowdedless quiet thanless crowded than

There are a few exceptions with comparative grammar . . .These are adjectives that dont follow the basic rules or that have more than one acceptable form. To learn these, you must memorize them.

funWe say:more funfunner

2. simpleWe say:more simple ORsimpler

3. narrowWe say:more narrow ORnarrower

4. quietWe say:more quiet ORquieter

Try these examples. Use the comparative form.

I think Social Studies is _________________ (interesting) than Math.

2. San Diego is a _____________ (pretty) city than L.A.

3. A dog is usually _______________ (friendly) than a cat.

4. It is _____________ (hot) today than it was yesterday.

5. My cousin is ______________ (rich) than I am.

6. USE LESS: Some people think that Spanish is __________________ (difficult) than English.

For Additional Explanation and Practice, go to these websites:

1. Comparative / Superlative Explanation and Quizzes:http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/regcom.htm 2. Comparatives Challenge Board Game:http://www.quia.com/cb/283937.html

If you do these exercises, the grammar will get easier!