Using Comparisons

There are two ways to make a comparison in English.


1.) Use more in front of the adjective.
–It's more exciting.


2.) Add -er to end of the adjective.
–A bus is cheaper than a taxi.


To complete a comparison, use than.
–I am older than my wife.


For most one-syllable adjectives, use -er: older, wiser, etc. For most two and three-syllable adjectives, use more: more recent. For two-syllable adjectives ending in -y, use -er. Note that the y is changed to i in words such as busy (busier) and pretty (prettier).


It is sometimes hard to decide whether to use more or -er in a comparison. In fact, there are many common adjectives that use either form (such as able, angry, cruel, friendly, polite, quiet, simple, etc.). Listening and practice with speaking the language will help you more than any number of rules. Finally, note the following irregular forms:


good–>better
little–>less
bad–>worse
far–>farther


Adverbs can also be used in comparisons. More is used with adverbs that end in -ly:


slowly–>more slowly
careful–>more carefully


Use -er with one-syllable adverbs: faster, harder, sooner, closer, etc.


Note these irregular forms:


well–>better
far–>farther
badly–>worse