Learn to compare two things using -er endings and "more" with adjectives like bigger, more interesting, and better.
Comparative adjectives are used to compare two things, showing that one has more or less of a quality. Learn to make comparisons and express differences naturally in English.
Short adjectives (1 syllable): add -er. Spelling: double final consonant if needed; drop -e before -er.
Than
Always use THAN after a comparative: 'She is taller than me.' ✗ 'She is taller as me.' 'Than' signals what you are comparing to.
Comparative adjectives compare two things, showing that one has more or less of a quality than the other. They're essential for expressing differences in size, quality, speed, and other characteristics.
"taller than"
"faster than"
"cheaper than"
"more interesting than"
"more beautiful than"
"more expensive than"
1 syllable = add -er | 2+ syllables = use "more"
✓ tall → taller (1 syllable)
✓ beautiful → more beautiful (3 syllables)
✓ happy → happier (ends in -y)
Emma went to the market to buy fruit. She saw that the apples were cheaper than the oranges.
The watermelons were bigger than the pineapples, but the pineapples were more expensive than the watermelons.
She asked the seller: "Which fruit is better — the red grapes or the green grapes?" The seller said the green grapes were sweeter than the red ones.
Emma decided to buy the green grapes because they were fresher than the red ones and also cheaper.
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Follow these simple rules based on the number of syllables in the adjective.
Add -er
tall → taller
fast → faster
cheap → cheaper
big → bigger (double consonant)
Use "more"
beautiful → more beautiful
interesting → more interesting
expensive → more expensive
difficult → more difficult
happy → happier
easy → easier
busy → busier
nice → nicer
large → larger
safe → safer
Make these adjectives comparative:
1. fast → __________
2. interesting → __________
3. happy → __________
1. faster (1 syllable, add -er)
2. more interesting (3 syllables, use "more")
3. happier (ends in -y, change to -ier)
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Some adjectives have irregular comparative forms that you need to memorize.
"This restaurant is better than the old one."
Want to try a Comparative Adjectives quiz?
Practice with multiple choice questions
Always use "than" after comparative adjectives to show what you're comparing.
bigger than a house
more expensive than gold
taller than me
better than him
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Ready to test your Comparative Adjectives knowledge?
Challenge yourself with fill-in-the-blank exercises
❌ This book is more cheap than that one.
✓ This book is cheaper than that one.
❌ She is more happy today.
✓ She is happier today.
❌ He is gooder at sports.
✓ He is better at sports.
❌ My house is bigger that yours.
✓ My house is bigger than yours.
❌ This test is more easy.
✓ This test is easier.
Master Comparative Adjectives sentence building!
Drag and drop words to form correct sentences
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To practice your pronunciation, listen to the native speaker audio first. Then 'Record' yourself repeating what you heard, then use the 'Playback' button to compare your pronunciation with the native speaker. If you want to record yourself again, simply click 'Delete'!
Sarah is a taller girl than her sister.
My new laptop is more powerful than my old one.
Winter is normally a colder season than autumn.
The city centre is a noisier place than the countryside.
English grammar is more difficult than I thought.
This exercise is easier than the earlier one.
His explanation was clearer than mine.
The second option is better than the first one.
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