Making Comparisons
1. Comparatives with -er
One-syllable words, and two-syllable words ending in -y, generally add -er to make the comparative
form (with -y changing to -i). Words ending in -e only add -r.
Late – later Early – earlier
Adjectives with C-V-C ending (consonant – vowel-consonant) duplicate the last consonant when -er
is added
Big – bigger
2. Comparatives with more or less
Other two-syllable words, and words of more than two syllables, use more or less.
More modern les interesting
3. Two-syllable words
Some two-sylable words are used with either -er or more.
Clever narrow simple
4. Irregular comparatives
Some irregular comparatives are:
Good – better far – farther bad – worse
5. Superlatives
Superlatives ending in -est or with (the) most follow the same rules outlined in 1 and 2.
Late – the latest early – the earliest modern – the most modern
6. Comparatives of Adverbs
These are normally made with more or less.
More quickly less carefully
MAKING COMPARISONS
1. The simplest kind of comparison is with a comparative and than
You don’t look older than your brother.
2. Comparatives can be repeated to suggest continuing change.
This season seems to be getting longer and longer.
Jim Started feeling more and more tired.
3. Comparatives can be made stronger by using these words:
Much far a lot a Little
This book is much more interesting than the last one I read.
This exercise is a little easier than the previous one.
4. Comparatives can be used in parallel constructions with the.
The faster you drive, the more petrol you use.
5. Expressions with best.
Sorry, but this is the best I can do.
He tried his best
6. Not as/ so …. as
This harvest was not as tiring as the last one.
This report is not so negative as the previous one.
7. Just as … as (meaning equally)
This office is just as big as the old one.
……………………………………………………………..
Activities.
1. My brother is 30 and I’m 42.
My brother is …………………………………………………………………………...……… than me.
2. The train ticket is $ 180 and the bus ticket is $200.
Going by train is …………………………………………………………………………………………….
3. In winter, the weather in Canada is ………………………………………………. Argentina.
4. You are working from home and your family is being loud. You ask them:
Can you please make …………………………………………………………………………. noise?
5. You are new at your workplace and you fell more comfortable every day.
I’m feeling ……………………………………………………………………………. at my new job.
6. Food is more expensive than the last three months. There is a big difference.
Food is ………………………………………………………………………. than three months ago.
