Comparatives

COMPARATIVES

General principles:
Comparatives are used to compare two things and to highlight the superiority, inferiority, or equality of one term compared to another.

	Short Adjectives ( 1 - 2 syllables)	Long Adjectives (3+ syllables)
superiority	ADJ + -ER than fast > X is faster than Y.	MORE + ADJ than expensive > X is more expensive than Y.
equalitity	as ADJ as big > X is as big as Y.
inferiority	less ADJ than beautiful > X is less beautiful than Y.

Examples:

Jean is taller than Catherine.
Philippe is less tall than Jean.
Leïla is as tall as Jean.

young --> younger
tall --> taller
old --> older

NOTES:
> If the adjective ends in "--y" the "y" becomes "i" :
heavy --> heavier
early --> earlier
busy --> busier
healthy --> healthier
chilly --> chillier

> If the adjective ends in "--e" only an "r" is needed:
wise --> wiser
large --> larger
simple --> simpler
late --> later

> If the adjective ends with "single vowel + consonant" the consonant is doubled and one adds "--er" :
big --> bigger
thin --> thinner
hot --> hotter

> Some very common adjectives have irregular comparatives:
good --> better
bad --> worse
far --> farther

EXERCISE:

Compare these 2 cars (fictitious data). Use the adjectives.

MERCEDES

(big car)

$200,000

Mini

(small car)

$10,000

1. expensive >

2. cheap >

3. powerful >

4. large >

5. comfortable >

6. fast >

ANSWERS (examples; there are other answers)

1. The Mercedes is more expensive than the Mini.

2. The Mini is cheaper than the Mercedes.

3. The Mercedes is more powerful than the Mini.

4. The Mercedes is larger than the Mini. The Mini is not as large as the Mercedes.

5. The Mercedes is more comfortable than the Mini. The Mini is less comfortable than the Mercedes.

6. The Mercedes is faster than the Mini.