Definition / Explanation
Comparatives help us compare two people, things, or places. We often use -er with short adjectives and more with longer adjectives. This lets us say that one thing has more of a quality, such as being bigger, cheaper, or more comfortable. Comparatives are very useful in daily speech when we choose, describe, or make simple opinions.
Key Rules
- Use -er with many short adjectives: small -> smaller, cheap -> cheaper.
- Use more with many longer adjectives: more comfortable, more interesting.
- Use than to show the second part of the comparison: My bag is bigger than yours.
- Some adjectives have spelling changes: big -> bigger, happy -> happier.
- Use comparatives to compare two things, not one thing alone.
Examples
- This bag is cheaper than that one.
- My room is bigger than yours.
- She is younger than her brother.
- This chair is more comfortable.
- Today is hotter than yesterday.
Common Mistakes
- ❌ This is cheap than that. -> ✅ This is cheaper than that.
- ❌ My room is more big. -> ✅ My room is bigger.
- ❌ She is younger that me. -> ✅ She is younger than me.
Tips
- A simple guide: short adjective -> often -er; longer adjective -> often more.