Introduction to Comparative Adjectives
Comparative adjectives are used to compare two people, things, or groups. In English, we form comparatives in two main ways: adding the suffix -er to short adjectives, or using the word more before longer adjectives. The choice depends on how many syllables the adjective has. Understanding these rules will help you describe differences clearly and naturally.
How to Choose: -er or more?
Choosing between -er and more depends on the length and type of adjective. Here's the rule:
| Use -er | Use more |
|---|---|
|
One-syllable adjectives: tall → taller fast → faster old → older |
Three or more syllable adjectives: beautiful → more beautiful interesting → more interesting expensive → more expensive |
|
Most two-syllable adjectives ending in -y: happy → happier easy → easier busy → busier |
Two-syllable adjectives ending in -ful, -less, -ous, -able: careful → more careful hopeless → more hopeless famous → more famous |
|
Some common two-syllable adjectives: clever → cleverer simple → simpler narrow → narrower |
Other two-syllable adjectives: modern → more modern common → more common perfect → more perfect |
One syllable
She is taller than her brother.
"Tall" has one syllable, so we add -er.
Two syllables ending in -y
This solution is simpler than the last one.
"Simple" is two syllables and we add -er (the y becomes i).
Three or more syllables
That film is more interesting than this one.
"Interesting" has three syllables, so we use "more".
Two syllables with suffix
This approach is more careful than the previous method.
"Careful" ends in -ful, so we use "more" instead of adding -er.
Note: A few adjectives have irregular comparative forms and do not follow these rules: good → better, bad → worse, far → farther/further, little → less.
Formula
✔ Positive
Subject
+
verb (is/are/was/were)
+
comparative adjective
+
than
+
comparison object
This book is more interesting than that one.
✖ Negative
Subject
+
verb (is/are)
+
not
+
comparative adjective
+
than
+
comparison object
Sarah is not taller than her brother.
? Question
Is/Are
+
Subject
+
comparative adjective
+
than
+
comparison object
Is your apartment bigger than mine?
Examples
This car is faster than my old one.
One-syllable adjective + -er · Positive comparison
London is more expensive than Manchester.
Two-syllable adjective + more · Positive comparison
She is not as confident as her sister.
Negative comparison · Alternative structure
Are these shoes more comfortable than those ones?
Three-syllable adjective + more · Question form
His explanation was clearer than the textbook's.
One-syllable adjective + -er (double final consonant)
The new policy is less popular than the previous one.
Two-syllable adjective + less · Negative form
When to use it
Shopping & Decisions
Compare prices, sizes, and qualities when making purchasing decisions.
"This brand is more reliable than that one, but it's also more expensive."
Describing People
Compare physical traits, personality features, or abilities between individuals.
"My brother is taller than me, but I'm faster at running."
Travel & Places
Compare cities, countries, climates, and attractions during travel discussions.
"Paris is more romantic than London, but London is livelier."
Past & Present
Compare how things have changed over time or between different periods.
"The job market is more competitive now than it was five years ago."
Signal words
than
more
less
-er
as...as
not as...as
Common Mistakes
✕
Wrong
This office is more bigger than the other one.
✓
Correct
This office is bigger than the other one.
Don't use more + -er together. Choose one method only.
✕
Wrong
Sarah is more intelligent than John is intelligent.
✓
Correct
Sarah is more intelligent than John.
Don't repeat the adjective after than. Keep it concise.
✕
Wrong
This coffee is hoter than that coffee.
✓
Correct
This coffee is hotter than that coffee.
Double the final consonant before adding -er (hot → hotter).
KEY TAKEAWAYS
What to Remember
- Use -er with one-syllable adjectives: tall → taller, fast → faster.
- Use -er with two-syllable adjectives ending in -y: happy → happier, easy → easier.
- Use more with longer adjectives and most two-syllable adjectives: beautiful → more beautiful, interesting → more interesting.
- Always compare two things or people, never three or more, with comparative forms.
- Some adjectives are irregular and don't follow -er or more rules: good → better, bad → worse.