Old versus modern

Comparative Adjectives

Look at these examples:

1. The laptop is bigger than the camera. «Bigger» is the comparative form of the adjective «big».
2. The USB is smaller than the TV. “Smaller » is the comparative form of the adjective «small”.
3. The PlayStation five is heavier than the Nintendo sixty-four. “Heavier » is the comparative form of the adjective «heavy”.

How to form comparative adjectives?

There are two ways to make or to «form» a comparative adjective:

• Short adjectives: add «-er»
• Long adjectives: use «more»

Look at these examples:

• Cheap: The microwave is cheaper than the refrigerator.
• Expensive: The refrigerator is more expensive than the microwave.

Spelling Rules

Here are some basic rules for spelling comparatives.

Rule number 1

For One syllable adjectives: We usually add –er to one-syllable words to make
comparatives.

For example:

• Small – Its comparative form is smaller.
  The microwave is smaller than the refrigerator.
• Long – Its comparative form is longer.
  The refrigerator is longer than the microwave.

Rule number 2

For 1 syllable adjectives: If an adjective ends in –e, we add –r.
For example:

• Large – Its comparative form is larger.
  The Smart TV is larger than the Blu ray.
• Nice – Its comparative form is nicer.
  The laptop is nicer than the computer.

Rule number 3

For one syllable adjectives: If an adjective ends in a vowel and a consonant, we double the consonant and add -er.

For example:

• Big – Its comparative form is bigger.
  My camera is bigger than your USB.
• Thin – Its comparative form is thinner.
  The PlayStation 5 is thinner than the Nintendo 64.

Rule number 4

For Two – syllable adjectives: If an adjective ends in a consonant and –y, we change the y to –i and add –er.

For example:

• Easy – Its comparative form is easier.
  Wii games are easier than PlayStation 5 games.
• Heavy – Its comparative form is heavier.
  The DVD was heavier than the Blu-ray.

Rule number 5

For long adjectives, adjectives with 3 or more syllables, we use “more” to make comparisons.

We always use “more” plus the adjective.

For example:

• Practical – Its comparative form is more practical.
  My camera is more practical than your digital camera.
• Useful – Its comparative form is more useful.
  The laptop is more useful than the desktop.

Rule number 6

Some comparative adjectives are irregular; it means that they use completely different forms.

For Example:

• Good – Its comparative form is better.
  My sister’s laptop is better than your brother’s laptop.
• Bad – Its comparative form is worse.
  My father’s Blue ray is worse than mine.

Rule number 7

We can say that one thing or person is less than another thing by using “less … than”. To do this, use “less + the adjective + than”.

When using “less”, the adjective DOES NOT CHANGE.

For example:

• New – Less new than
  My camera is less new than yours.
• Big – Less big than
  Multifunction printers are less big than fax machines.