Comparative adjectives show how two people, things, or groups differ in a quality. You use them when you want to say that one thing has more, less, or the same amount of an adjective than another. This module focuses on forming comparative adjectives and using them correctly in sentences.

The most common structure is: Subject + verb + comparative adjective + than + comparison target. Use “than” to introduce what you are comparing to. The comparison target can be a noun, pronoun, or a full clause when needed.

Many one-syllable adjectives form the comparative by adding -er. If the adjective ends in silent -e, add -r. If it ends in a single vowel plus a single consonant, often double the final consonant before -er.

Rule	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
Add -er to most one-syllable adjectives	📌 给大多数单音节形容词加 -er	This bag is lighter than that one.	🧩 这个包比那个轻。
If the adjective ends in silent -e, add -r	📌 如果形容词以静默 -e 结尾，添加 -r	Your room is quieter than mine.	🧩 你的房间比我的房间更安静。
If vowel + consonant at the end, often double the consonant	📌 若结尾是元音+辅音，通常将辅音加倍	Today is hotter than yesterday.	🧩 今天比昨天热。

Two-syllable adjectives can take -er or use more, depending on spelling and common usage. Adjectives ending in -y usually change -y to -i and add -er. Many others are more natural with more, especially those not ending in -y.

Rule	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
Adjectives ending in -y: change -y to -i + -er	📌 以 -y 结尾的形容词：将 -y 变为 -i 并加 -er	This test is easier than the last one.	🧩 这个测试比上一个更容易。
Many other two-syllable adjectives use more	📌 许多其他双音节形容词使用更多	This solution is more useful than the first.	🧩 这个解决方案比第一个更有用。
Some two-syllable adjectives can take either form depending on style	📌 某些双音节形容词可根据风格采用任一形式	She is quieter than her brother.	🧩 她比她的兄弟安静。

Most adjectives with three or more syllables form the comparative with more. This keeps the sentence clear and avoids awkward long endings. The pattern is “more + adjective + than.”

Rule	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
Use more with most adjectives of three or more syllables	📌 对三音节及以上的形容词使用 more	This explanation is more interesting than the old one.	🧩 这个解释比旧的更有趣。
Do not add -er to long adjectives in standard English	📌 在标准英语中不要给较长的形容词加 -er	Her answer is more reasonable than his.	🧩 她的答案比他的更合理。

Some common adjectives have irregular comparative forms that do not follow -er or more. These forms are frequent in everyday English, so it is important to learn them as fixed patterns. They are used in the same sentence structure with “than.”

Word/Phrase	🇨🇳 中文 单词/短语	Definition	🇨🇳 中文 定义	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
good → better	📌 good → better	Higher quality	🧩 质量更高	This version is better than the last.	🧩 这个版本比上一个更好。
bad → worse	📌 bad → worse	Lower quality	🧩 质量较低	The traffic is worse than usual.	🧩 交通比平常糟糕。
far → farther	📌 far → farther	Greater physical distance	🧩 更大的物理距离	The station is farther than I thought.	🧩 车站比我想象的更远。
far → further	📌 far → further	Greater distance or additional degree	🧩 更大距离或额外程度	We need further information than this.	🧩 我们需要比这更进一步的信息。
little → less	📌 little → less	Smaller amount or degree	🧩 更小的数量或程度	I have less time than you.	🧩 我的时间比你少。
many or much → more	📌 many or much → more	Larger amount or number	🧩 更大数量或数目	She has more experience than me.	🧩 她比我更有经验。

To compare in the opposite direction, use less + adjective + than. To say two things are equal in a quality, use as + adjective + as. These patterns work with almost any adjective and avoid choosing between -er and more.

Rule	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
Use less + adjective + than for a lower degree	📌 使用 less + 形容词 + than 表示较低的程度	This route is less dangerous than the other.	🧩 这条路线比另一条更不危险。
Use as + adjective + as for equality	📌 使用 as + 形容词 + as 表示平等	My phone is as fast as yours.	🧩 我的手机和你的一样快。
Use not as or not so to show inequality	📌 使用 not as 或 not so 来表示不平等	This chair is not as comfortable as that one.	🧩 这张椅子没有那张那么舒服。

After “than,” you can use a noun, an object pronoun, or a clause with a subject and verb. In more formal writing, subject pronouns are used when the meaning is “than I am,” even if the verb is omitted. Choose the form that matches your context and avoids ambiguity.

Rule	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
Use a noun phrase after than when the target is clear	📌 在“than”之后使用名词短语，当目标明确	This cafe is cheaper than the one downtown.	🧩 这家咖啡馆比市区的那一家便宜。
Use a clause when you need to show the action being compared	📌 当需要显示正在比较的动作时使用从句	She works faster than I do.	🧩 她比我工作得更快。
Formal option: subject pronoun when the implied verb is am or are	📌 正式选项：当隐含的动词是 am 或 are 时使用主语代词	He is taller than I.	🧩 他比我高。

You can strengthen or soften a comparative with adverbs like much, far, a lot, a little, and slightly. Use these before the comparative form: much + -er, much more + adjective, or a little less + adjective. Avoid using very with comparatives in standard English.

Rule	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
Strengthen with much, far, a lot before the comparative	📌 在比较级前用 much、far、a lot 来加强	This problem is much harder than the last one.	🧩 这个问题比上一个难得多。
Soften with a little, slightly before the comparative	📌 在比较级前使用 a little、slightly 来缓和	The new design is slightly cleaner than the old one.	🧩 新设计比旧的更干净一些。
Avoid very + comparative in standard usage	📌 在标准用法中避免 very + 比较级	Use much better, not very better.	🧩 使用 much better，而不是 very better。

Use comparatives to describe change over time or increasing degree with parallel structures. “Comparative and comparative” shows gradual change. “The more…, the more…” shows that one change causes or relates to another.

Rule	🇨🇳 中文 规则	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
Use comparative + and + comparative for ongoing change	📌 使用 比较级 + 和 + 比较级 来表示持续的变化	The days are getting shorter and shorter.	🧩 日子越来越短。
Use the more…, the more… for linked comparisons	📌 使用 more…, the more… 来表示连锁比较	The more you practice, the better you get.	🧩 你练得越多，越好。

You can form comparatives with -er, more, less, or as…as depending on the adjective and meaning. Use “than” to introduce what you compare to, and add modifiers like much or slightly when you want to adjust strength. With irregular forms and common patterns, you can compare clearly in both speaking and writing.