Comparative adjectives show how one thing differs from another in size, speed, cost, or other qualities. This guide covers common patterns and useful vocabulary.
Basic Formation
Most short adjectives add -er to form the comparative, and you use more for longer adjectives. Comparatives compare two things and are followed by than.
One-Syllable Adjectives
One-syllable adjectives typically add -er to become comparative, so you say taller, faster, or stronger when comparing two things.
| Positive | Comparative | English Explanation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| tall | taller | Add -er to short adjectives | |
| fast | faster | Add -er to short adjectives | |
| strong | stronger | Add -er to short adjectives |
My house is larger than yours.
Two-Syllable Adjectives Ending in -y
Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y change the y to i and add -er for the comparative, as in happier or friendlier. Use this pattern for adjectives like happy, funny, and friendly.
| Positive | Comparative | English Explanation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| happy | happier | Change y to i and add -er | |
| funny | funnier | Change y to i and add -er | |
| friendly | friendlier | Change y to i and add -er |
Adjectives That Use More
Adjectives with two or more syllables usually form the comparative with more rather than adding -er, so you say more beautiful, more important, or more expensive.
| Positive | Comparative | English Explanation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| beautiful | more beautiful | Use more for longer adjectives | |
| important | more important | Use more for longer adjectives | |
| expensive | more expensive | Use more for longer adjectives |
Irregular Comparatives
Some common adjectives have irregular comparative forms that you must memorize, like better, worse, farther, and less. These do not follow the normal -er or more pattern.
| Positive | Comparative | English Explanation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| good | better | Irregular comparative form | |
| bad | worse | Irregular comparative form | |
| far | farther / further | Irregular comparative form | |
| little | less | Irregular comparative form |
Usage
Comparatives describe differences between two things and are followed by than when stating what you compare. Use comparatives in sentences that highlight advantage, difference, or preference.
Examples
| English Sentence | English Meaning | |
|---|---|---|
| 🐶 The dog is faster than the cat. | The dog runs more quickly than the cat. | |
| 🐢 The turtle is slower than the rabbit. | The turtle moves less quickly than the rabbit. | |
| 🐧 The penguin is more colorful than the seagull. | The penguin has brighter colors than the seagull. | |
| 🦉 The owl is quieter than the crow. | The owl makes less noise than the crow. |
More Examples
| English Sentence | English Meaning | |
|---|---|---|
| 🦊 The fox is cleverer than the hound. | The fox is more clever than the hound. | |
| 🐸 This frog is prettier than that one. | This frog looks more attractive than that one. | |
| 🐝 The bee is busier than the ant. | The bee has more work than the ant. | |
| 🐘 The elephant is bigger than the rhinoceros. | The elephant is larger than the rhinoceros. |
Summary
Comparative adjectives show how one thing differs from another. Short adjectives add -er, adjectives ending in -y change y to i and add -er, longer adjectives use more, and some common adjectives are irregular.
Keep practicing comparatives with real examples to make comparisons natural and clear in English.
Examples
More Examples
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025