Comparison 1 (cheaper, more expensive etc.)

The Comparative Form

When you compare two things, you use a comparative adjective or adverb. After comparatives you often use than.

• Let’s drive. It’s cheaper.
• Going by train is more expensive than driving.

Short Words: Add -er

For one-syllable adjectives and adverbs, add -er.

For two-syllable words ending in -y, change -y to -ier.

Longer Words: Use more

For words with two syllables or more (that do not end in -y), put more before the word.

For adverbs ending in -ly, also use more.

Comparing with Examples

• You’re older than me. / You’re more patient than me.
• The test was easier than I expected. / The test was more difficult than I expected.
• Can you walk a bit faster? / Can you walk a bit more slowly?
• I’d like a bigger apartment. / I’d like a more reliable car.

Some Words Accept Both Forms

A few two-syllable adjectives can take either -er or more: clever, narrow, quiet, shallow, simple.

• Can we go somewhere quieter? or Can we go somewhere more quiet?

Irregular Comparatives

Some adjectives and adverbs have special comparative forms that you must learn individually.

• The project looks better since you revised the timeline.
• How’s the delay? — It’s worse than we thought.
• The office is further than I expected. (or farther)

Note that further (but not farther) also means “more” or “additional”:

• Let me know if you hear any further news. (= any more news)

Quick Self-Check