Comparatives

Bigger, more interesting, better, comparing two things.

The rules

  • One-syllable adjectives add -er: "cheaper". "More cheap" is wrong.
  • Long adjectives (3+ syllables) take "more": "more interesting".
  • "Better" is already comparative, never "more better". Good → better → best.
  • Bad → worse → worst. Comparative here: "getting worse".
  • Comparative + "than": "taller than me".
  • Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y: change to -ier ("easy" → "easier").
  • Comparatives are intensified with "much/far/a lot", never "very" or "more".

Examples

  • This café is cheaper than the one near work.
  • The film was more interesting than the book.
  • My new phone is better than the old one.
  • The traffic is getting worse every year.
  • My brother is taller than me.
  • The exam was much easier than I expected.
  • This route is much faster.

Quick check

Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.

1.This café is _____ than the one near work.

2.The film was _____ than the book.

3.Which sentence is correct?

4.The traffic is getting _____ every year.

5.The exam was much _____ than I expected.

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