Most adjectives can show degree of quality or quantity by forming two degrees of comparison: the comparative and the superlative degree. These degrees are formed from the positive degree, which is the usual form of adjectives.
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| This is a tall building. | This building is taller than that one. | This is the tallest building. |
Comparative adjectives are used to compare differences between the two objects they modify. When forming the comparative degree follow the pattern noun/pronoun (subject) + verb + comparative adjective + than + noun/pronoun (object).
My room is larger than Jake's
The second item of comparison can be omitted if it is clear from the context that something is being compared to something else.
If you start working out you'll get thinner. (=You'll get thinner in comparison to your past self.)
Comparative adjectives with one syllable are normally formed by adding -er to the adjective.
smart - smarter
if an adjective has a consonant + single vowel + consonant spelling, the final consonant must be doubled before adding -er.
big - bigger
Adjectives ending in consonant + -y change -y to -i and add -er,
dry - drier
Adjectives with two syllables can form the comparative either by adding -er or by preceding the adjective with more.
happy - happier
tangled - more tangled
In many cases, both forms are used, although one usage will be more common than the other. If you are not sure whether a two-syllable adjective can take a comparative ending, use more instead.
Adjectives with three or more syllables form the comparative by preceding the adjective with more.
beautiful - more beautiful
Some adjectives do not follow any of the rules explained earlier. They are compared irregularly. Here are the most common irregular adjectives.
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| good | better | the best |
| bad | worse | the worst |
| far | farther/further | the farthest/furthest |
| little | less | the least |
| much/many | more | the most |
–How are you doing?
–I'm OK. And how are you?
–I'm fine, thank you! I must say that you look more tired in comparison to when I saw you last time.
–Yeah, my life is definitely more complicated now. I'm finishing my studies and... I'm craving for sleep! I try to choose healthier options when I eat. I try to be more active but it doesn't help when you sleep 4 hours a day.
–I totally get you! Life was definitely easier when we were kids.
Choose the correct word or phrase.
better/more good this time! that/than the other one. more bad/worse than yesterday. more attentive/more attentiver when he is talking to someone in person. longier/longer than we expected. Form the comparative degree.