Comparatives are an essential part of English grammar that help us describe differences between two people, places, things, or ideas. Whether you’re an ESL student, teacher, or just brushing up on grammar, understanding comparatives will greatly improve your ability to express comparisons accurately and naturally.
In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about comparatives—what they are, how to form them, spelling rules, irregular forms, and common mistakes to avoid.
What Are Comparatives?
Comparatives are adjective or adverb forms used to compare two things. For example:
- This book is shorter than that one.
- She’s more intelligent than her brother.
In both cases, we’re comparing two items and describing how one differs from the other in a particular way (length, intelligence, etc.).
How to Form Comparatives
There are three main ways to form comparatives in English:
1. Add -er to Short Adjectives (1-syllable or 2-syllable ending in -y)
For most short adjectives, we simply add -er to the end:
- tall → taller
- fast → faster
- cold → colder
Examples:
- My house is bigger than yours.
- Today is colder than yesterday.
Tip: If the adjective ends in e, just add -r (e.g., large → larger).
Tip 2: If the adjective ends in a single vowel and consonant (e.g. big, hot) – you double the final consonant before adding -er (big -> bigger).
2. Add -ier to Adjectives ending in -y
For adjectives ending in -y, we drop the -y and add -ier.
- happy → happier
- pretty -> prettier
3. Use “more” with Longer Adjectives (2+ syllables)
For longer adjectives (usually 2+ syllables), we use more + adjective:
- beautiful → more beautiful
- expensive → more expensive
- interesting → more interesting
Examples:
- London is more expensive than Berlin.
- This movie is more interesting than the last one.
Spelling Rules for Comparatives
Here are a few important spelling changes to remember (a review of the above):
| Rule | Example |
|---|---|
| If a one-syllable word ends in CVC (consonant–vowel–consonant), double the final consonant | big → bigger, hot → hotter |
| If a word ends in -y, change the y to i and add -er | happy → happier, easy → easier |
| If a word ends in e, just add -r | large → larger, safe → safer |
Irregular Comparative Forms
Some adjectives don’t follow regular patterns. Here are the most common irregular comparatives:
| Adjective | Comparative |
|---|---|
| good | better |
| bad | worse |
| far | farther (US)/further (UK) |
| little | less |
| many/much | more |
Examples:
- This cake is better than the last one.
- He has less money than his friend.
Using “Than” in Comparisons
When making comparisons, we often use the word than to link the two items being compared.
Examples:
- My car is faster than yours.
- This exam is more difficult than the last one.
Note: “Than” is always used after a comparative adjective when you mention both things being compared.
Comparatives Without ‘Than’
Sometimes, comparatives are used without than, especially when the comparison is implied or general:
- The water is getting colder. (Compared to before)
- She seems happier these days.
In these cases, the context tells us what the comparison is referring to.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using more + adjective when -er should be used
- ❌ more tall
- ✅ taller
- Using -er with long adjectives
- ❌ beautifuller
- ✅ more beautiful
- Forgetting “than”
- ❌ This test is easier the last one
- ✅ This test is easier than the last one
- Double comparatives
- ❌ more better
- ✅ better
Comparatives in Spoken English
In casual conversation, you’ll often hear comparatives used with adverbs for emphasis:
- a lot easier
- much smaller
- slightly faster
- far more interesting
Examples:
- This book is a lot better than the movie.
- Her solution is far more effective.
Practice Makes Perfect
Here are a few practice sentences. Try filling in the blanks with the correct comparative form:
- My house is __________ (big) than yours.
- This book is __________ (interesting) than the last one.
- He is __________ (good) at maths than his brother.
- Today is __________ (cold) than yesterday.
- Her new car is __________ (expensive) than mine.
Answers:
- bigger
- more interesting
- better
- colder
- more expensive
Conclusion
Comparatives are a key part of everyday English. Whether you’re describing people, places, or experiences, knowing how to compare things correctly will make your communication much clearer and more natural.
By learning the rules, practicing regularly, and watching out for common mistakes, you’ll soon be using comparatives confidently in both speaking and writing.
Want more grammar guides like this?
Check out our other posts on Superlatives, Adjective Order, and Useful Vocabulary for Describing People.