/Adjectives
A2Adjectives

Comparatives

1

What is it?

Comparatives are used to compare two things and show how they are different. We use them to say that one thing has more or less of a quality than another. For example, "This book is more interesting than that one" or "She runs faster than him." Understanding comparatives is essential for making comparisons in everyday English.

2

How to form it

SubjectPositiveNegativeQuestion
Short adjectivestall → tallernot as tall asIs it taller than...?
(1 syllable)fast → fasternot as fast asIs she faster than...?
Ending in -elarge → largernot as large asIs it larger than...?
Long adjectivesexpensive → more expensivenot as expensive asIs it more expensive...?
(2+ syllables)interesting → more interestingnot as interesting asIs it more interesting...?
Irregulargood → betternot as good asIs it better than...?
Irregularbad → worsenot as bad asIs it worse than...?
  • • Short adjectives (1 syllable): add -er (tall → taller, fast → faster)
  • • Adjectives ending in -e: add -r (large → larger, nice → nicer)
  • • Long adjectives (2+ syllables): use 'more' (more expensive, more beautiful)
  • • Irregular: good → better, bad → worse, far → farther/further
  • • Use 'than' after comparatives: bigger than, more expensive than
  • • Equal comparisons: as...as (She is as tall as him)
  • • Unequal comparisons: not as...as (It's not as cold as yesterday)
3

When to use it

  1. 1

    Basic comparisons with "than" — comparing two things directly

    "London is bigger than Paris." / "This test is easier than the last one."

  2. 2

    Equal comparisons with "as...as" — showing two things are the same

    "She is as tall as her brother." / "This book is as interesting as that one."

  3. 3

    Unequal comparisons with "not as...as" — showing one has less of a quality

    "This phone is not as expensive as that one." / "I'm not as busy as yesterday."

  4. 4

    Emphasis with "much/a lot/far" — making the difference stronger

    "This car is much faster than mine." / "It's far more expensive than I expected."

  5. 5

    Small differences with "a bit/a little" — softening comparisons

    "She's a little older than me." / "This is a bit more difficult."

  6. 6

    Progressive change with "comparative + and + comparative"

    "It's getting colder and colder." / "The situation is becoming more and more difficult."

4

Common mistakes

She is as tall than me.

She is as tall as me.

Use 'as...as' for equal comparisons, not 'as...than'. The structure is 'as + adjective + as'.

This is more better than that.

This is better than that.

Don't use 'more' with irregular comparatives like 'better'. The word 'better' already means 'more good'.

He runs as faster as me.

He runs as fast as me.

Use the base form of the adjective in 'as...as' constructions, not the comparative form.

My car is more fast than yours.

My car is faster than yours.

Short adjectives take -er, not 'more'. Use 'more' only with long adjectives (2+ syllables).

5

Quick reference

  • Short adjectives: add -er (taller, faster, bigger)
  • Long adjectives: use 'more' (more interesting, more expensive)
  • Irregular: good → better, bad → worse
  • Use 'than' after comparatives: bigger than, more than
  • Equal: as...as (as tall as, as good as)
  • Unequal: not as...as (not as big as, not as expensive as)
  • Emphasis: much/a lot/far + comparative (much better, far more)
  • Small difference: a bit/a little + comparative (a bit taller)
6

Natural conversation example

Two friends comparing cities they've visited

T

Tom

Have you been to both New York and London?
L

Lisa

Yes! New York is much bigger than London, but London is just as interesting.
T

Tom

Really? Which one is more expensive?
L

Lisa

They're both expensive, but New York is probably a bit more expensive overall.
T

Tom

What about the weather? Is London as cold as New York in winter?
L

Lisa

No, London isn't as cold as New York. New York is far colder!
T

Tom

And the food? Which city has better restaurants?
L

Lisa

Both have amazing food, but I think New York has a lot more variety.
T

Tom

It sounds like they're both getting more and more popular with tourists.
L

Lisa

Definitely! They're becoming busier every year.

Practice Exercises

Complete the sentences with the correct comparative form of the adjective in brackets.

  1. 1.
    This book is than that one. (interesting)
  2. 2.
    My car is than yours. (fast)
  3. 3.
    She is than her sister. (tall)
  4. 4.
    This exercise is than the last one. (difficult)
  5. 5.
    Today is than yesterday. (good)
  6. 6.
    This phone is not expensive
Comparative AdjectivesAll TopicsSuperlatives

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