Virtuous English Academy
Comparative Adjectives in English (A2)
- #A2
- #Grammar
- #Rules
- #Examples
Comparative adjectives (bigger, more expensive) compare two people or things, usually with than. This lesson teaches the -er and more rules and the common spelling changes.
Comparative adjectives let you compare two things: this one is bigger, cheaper, more comfortable, better. They are among the most useful structures at A2, because comparison is how people make decisions, give opinions and describe change — and almost every conversation about shopping, travel or work involves one.
The form you use depends on the length of the adjective. Short adjectives of one syllable add -er: tall becomes taller, cheap becomes cheaper. Longer adjectives of three or more syllables take more in front: expensive becomes more expensive. Two-syllable adjectives sit in the middle, and the ones ending in -y take -ier, as in happy becoming happier.
The word than links the two things being compared, and it is compulsory when you name the second item: Berlin is cheaper than London. You can drop it when the comparison is understood from context — This one is cheaper — but you can never replace it with that or from, which are common transfer errors from other languages.
How to form Comparative Adjectives
| Adjective type | Rule | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| One syllable | add -er | tall → taller, cheap → cheaper |
| One syllable ending -e | add -r | large → larger, nice → nicer |
| One syllable, vowel + consonant | double the consonant | big → bigger, hot → hotter |
| Two syllables ending -y | y becomes -ier | happy → happier, easy → easier |
| Two syllables (other) | usually more | careful → more careful, modern → more modern |
| Three or more syllables | more | expensive → more expensive |
| Irregular | learn individually | good → better, bad → worse, far → further |
Comparative Adjectives: the key rules
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Short adjectives add -er + than; big → bigger, easy → easier.
My new flat is bigger than the old one.
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Long adjectives (2+ syllables) use more + adjective + than.
This book is more interesting than the film.
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Irregular comparatives must be memorised: good → better, bad → worse, far → further.
Her English is better than mine.
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Soften or strengthen with a bit, much, far.
The train is much faster than the bus.
When to use Comparative Adjectives
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Comparing two things directly
The core use, always with than when the second item is named.
This laptop is lighter than my old one.
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Describing change over time
Doubling the comparative expresses gradual change — a very natural pattern.
The days are getting shorter and shorter.
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Saying two things are equal or unequal
The as … as structure states equality, and its negative states inequality.
It's as expensive as the other one. It isn't as good as I hoped.
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Linking two changes together
The the … the … pattern shows that one change causes another.
The sooner we leave, the better.
-er vs. more
Length decides, with a small overlap in the middle where both forms are acceptable.
-er — short adjectives
One syllable, and two-syllable adjectives ending in -y. Never combine with more.
colder, faster, easier, prettier
more — long adjectives
Three syllables or more, and most two-syllable adjectives. Never add -er as well.
more difficult, more interesting, more useful
Comparative Adjectives in example sentences
- Trains are faster than buses.One syllable takes -er, and than links the two.
- This exercise is easier than the last one.Two syllables ending in -y takes -ier.
- Living here is more expensive than I expected.Three syllables takes more.
- The weather is much better today.good is irregular; much intensifies the comparative.
- My new flat is bigger and warmer.Single vowel plus consonant doubles the consonant.
- It's getting darker earlier every evening.Comparative describing gradual change.
- This route isn't as quick as the motorway.Negative equality with as … as.
- The more you practise, the faster you improve.The … the … linking two changes.
Comparative Adjectives in a real conversation
Notice which adjectives take -er and which take more — and count the syllables to see why.
Agent:This flat is cheaper, but it's further from the centre.
Buyer:Is it bigger than the other one?
Agent:Slightly. And the kitchen is much more modern.
Buyer:The commute would be worse, though.
Agent:A little longer, yes. But the area is quieter and safer.
Buyer:The more I think about it, the more interested I am.
Common mistakes (and how to fix them)
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This exam was more easy than the last one.
This exam was easier than the last one.
Easy is short — it takes -ier, not more.
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My car is more better than his.
My car is better than his.
Better is already comparative; more cannot stack on it.
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She is taller that me.
She is taller than me.
Comparatives pair with than, never that.
Practise Comparative Adjectives today
Sort adjectives by syllable count first — the form follows automatically.
- Write the comparative of: cheap, happy, expensive, good, hot, careful, far, easy.
- Compare your city with another in six sentences, all using than.
- Correct these: more cheaper — more better — bigger that mine — as good than.
- Write four sentences using the getting + comparative pattern to describe change.
Comparative Adjectives: frequently asked questions
Why is more cheaper wrong?
Because it marks the comparison twice. English allows either the -er ending or the word more, never both. Cheap is a one-syllable adjective, so it takes -er and becomes cheaper. This double-marking error is very common with irregular forms too — more better is wrong for the same reason, since better already contains the comparison.
Which two-syllable adjectives take -er?
Those ending in -y reliably take -ier: happy, easy, busy, early, funny, pretty. A further group ending in -er, -le and -ow also commonly take -er: cleverer, simpler, narrower. Most other two-syllable adjectives take more, and several accept both, so quieter and more quiet are both heard. When you are unsure with a two-syllable adjective, more is the safer choice.
What is the difference between farther and further?
Farther traditionally refers to physical distance and further to abstract degree, as in farther down the road but further information. In practice British English uses further for both meanings, and it is now the more common form overall. Using further everywhere is safe; using farther for non-physical distance is the only combination that sounds wrong.
How do I say two things are the same?
Use as + adjective + as, with the base form of the adjective and no comparative ending: This one is as good as that one. The negative form states inequality: It isn't as expensive as I thought. Note that not as … as is far more common in speech than the alternative not so … as, which sounds slightly formal and old-fashioned.