COMPARISONS

WITH ADJECTIVES

DEFINITION
Comparative is the name for the grammar used when comparing two things. The two basic ways to compare are using as .. as or than. than.

Comparisons using asas

To use ASAS to compare you must use the following structure:
AS

ADJECTIVE

AS

Examples:
She's twice as old as her sister. He's not as stupid as he looks! I'm almost as good in maths as in science. This book is not as exciting as the last one. The cafeteria is not as crowded as usual. Russian is not quite as difficult as Chinese.

Comparisons using than

When comparing with as .. as, the as adjective does not change. When comparing with than however, some than, changes are necessary, depending on the number of syllables the adjective has.

Rules and examples:

1-syllable adjectives: add -er to the adjective My sister is taller than me. It's colder today than it was yesterday. Note: If the word ends: consonant-vowel-consonant, then the last consonant is usually doubled in the comparative. Examples: big-bigger, fat-fatter, hot-hotter. 2-syllable adjectives ending in -y: change the -y to -ier She's looking happier today. This grammar topic is easier than the last one.

Rules and Examples:

Other 2-syllable adjectives: use more with the unchanged adjective The shops are always more crowded just before Christmas. My sister is more careful with her writing than I am with mine. Adjectives with 3 or more syllables: use more with the unchanged adjective Russian grammar is more difficult than English grammar. I find maths lessons more enjoyable than science lessons.

Rules and Examples:

Some nouns have an irregular comparative form. GOOD BAD FAR BETTER WORSE FARTHER

More examples:
Pepsi is not as popular as Coke.

Spanish is not as difficult as Chinese.

More examples:
A

A is bigger than B.

Chinese is more difficult than Spanish.