Comparative Adjectives

We use comparative adjectives when comparing two nouns.

Examples:

Colder, happier, funnier, easier, faster, and so on.

But how do we form comparative adjectives? Below are some guidelines to help you.

Form

a) -er is added if the adjective is 1-syllable, for example:

  • cold - colder
  • small - smaller

b) -ier is added if the adjective is 2-syllable and ends in -y, for example:

  • funny - funnier
  • early - earlier

c) we use more if the adjective is 2-syllable and does not end in -y, for example:

  • important - more important
  • expensive - more expensive

more is also used with 3-or-more-syllable words, for example:

d) -r is added if the adjective ends in -e, for example:

  • nice - nicer
  • safe - safer

f) the last consonant is doubled if the adjective ends in a consonant or a vowel, for example:

  • big - bigger
  • fat - fatter
  • hot - hotter