Comparative adjectives show how one thing is different from another in terms of a quality, such as size, speed, or happiness. They always compare two things (or two groups) and are usually followed by than.
Forming Comparative Adjectives
The way you form a comparative adjective depends on the number of syllables in the adjective:
One-Syllable Adjectives
- Add -er to the end.
- If the adjective ends in a single consonant with a vowel before it, double the consonant before adding -er (e.g., big → bigger).
- If the adjective ends in -e, just add -r (e.g., large → larger).
Two-Syllable Adjectives
- Some two-syllable adjectives can take -er (especially those ending in -y, -er, -le, or -ow), e.g., happy → happier.
- For most two-syllable adjectives, use more before the adjective instead (e.g., careful → more careful).
Three or More Syllables
- Always use more before the adjective (e.g., beautiful → more beautiful).
Irregular Comparatives
- Some adjectives have irregular comparative forms (e.g., good → better, bad → worse, far → farther/further).
Comparative Adjective Table
| Adjective | Comparative Form | Example (English) | Example (Spanish) |
|---|---|---|---|
| small | smaller | This box is smaller than that one. | Esta caja es más pequeña que esa. |
| big | bigger | She has a bigger dog than I do. | Ella tiene un perro más grande que yo. |
| happy | happier | I am happier today than yesterday. | Estoy más feliz hoy que ayer. |
| careful | more careful | Be more careful when you drive. | Sé más cuidadoso cuando conduzcas. |
| beautiful | more beautiful | The sunset is more beautiful than before. | El atardecer es más hermoso que antes. |
| good | better | He is better at math than me. | Él es mejor en matemáticas que yo. |
| bad | worse | This weather is worse than yesterday. | Este clima es peor que ayer. |
Using Comparative Adjectives in Sentences
Basic Structure
- Subject + verb + comparative adjective + than + object
Examples
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| This car is faster than that one. | Compares the speed of two cars. |
| She is taller than her brother. | Compares height between two people. |
| I am more interested in music than in sports. | Compares interest levels. |
| The test was more difficult than I expected. | Compares difficulty level. |
Choose the correct sentence: Be ___ when you drive. (careful)
more careful
'Careful' uses 'more' for comparison; adding '-er' or using an adverb form is wrong.
Common Mistakes
Using "more" And "-er" Together
- Incorrect: *more happier
- Correct: happier (one-syllable or two-syllable adjectives ending in -y use -er, no more)
Forgetting “Than”
- Incorrect: *She is taller her brother.
- Correct: She is taller than* her brother.
Using Comparative Without Comparison
- Incorrect: *This book is more interesting.
- Correct: *This book is more interesting than the other one.
Which of these is incorrect?
more happier
Don't use 'more' with adjectives that already take '-er' (e.g., happier). 'More happier' is incorrect.
Comparatives with “Than” and “As”
Using “Than” for Comparison
- Always use than after a comparative adjective.
- Example: *She is smarter than I am.
Using “As ... As” for Equality
- To say two things are equal, use: as + adjective + as.
- Example: *He is as tall as his father.
Using “Not as/so ... As” for Inequality
- To say one thing is less than another: not as/so + adjective + as.
- Example: *This movie is not as exciting as the book.
What word always follows a comparative adjective?
than
'Than' is used to introduce the second element in a comparison with a comparative adjective.
Putting It All Together: Examples in Context
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| My house is bigger than yours. | Compares size between two houses. |
| She is more talented than her classmates. | Compares talent among students. |
| This problem is more complicated than I thought. | Compares difficulty levels. |
| Today is colder than yesterday. | Compares temperature between days. |
Summary
- Use -er for one-syllable adjectives (and some two-syllable).
- Use more for adjectives with two or more syllables.
- Irregular adjectives don’t follow rules (e.g., good → better).
- Always use than after a comparative adjective.
- Don’t use more and -er together.
- Use as ... as for equal comparisons.
Comparative adjectives help us describe differences clearly and accurately. Practice by comparing things around you!
Flashcards (1 of 7)
- Adjective: small
- Comparative Form: smaller
- Example (English): This box is smaller than that one.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
