What Is a Comparative Adjective?
A comparative looks at two people or things.
SHORT ADJECTIVE + -ERtall → taller
My brother is taller than me.
LONG ADJECTIVE + MOREexpensive → more expensive
This phone is more expensive than that one.
IRREGULARgood → better
The film is better than the book.
A comparative has two parts: -er or more, and than before the second thing.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"Lan is blank her sister."
The three forms
-er or more? Count the syllables (beats): tall 1, hap-py 2, ex-pen-sive 3.
SHORT ADJECTIVE
Sbeadj + -erthan…
Hà Nội is colder than Huế in winter.
1 syllable, or 2 ending in -y.
LONG ADJECTIVE
Sbemoreadjthan…
My new job is more interesting than my old one.
2 or more syllables.
IRREGULAR
Sbebetter / worsethan…
The traffic was worse than last week.
good → better · bad → worse
-ER SPELLING
- talltaller
- nicenicer
- bigbigger
- happyhappier
| Word ends in | What to do | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -e | add only -r | nice → nicer |
| vowel + consonant (short word) | double it, add -er | big → bigger |
| consonant + y | y → i, add -er | happy → happier |
Never double w: new → newer.
If it is clear, you can drop than: This one is cheaper.
More cheaper and more better say "more" twice.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"The river is blank today than yesterday."
- Question 2
"The second test was blank than the first."
When you need a comparative
Choosing between two
The blue shirt is cheaper. Let's buy it.
Shopping, eating out.
Talking about change
Our town is busier than before.
Now and before.
Often used with: now · than before · than last year
Asking for an opinion
Which is easier, maths or English?
Pick one of two.
Much taller or very tall?
| VERY + ADJECTIVE | MUCH / A BIT + COMPARATIVE | |
|---|---|---|
| a big difference | This hotel is very big. | This hotel is much bigger than the old one. |
| the wrong mix | very cheaper | much cheaper · a bit cheaper |
Very goes with a plain adjective. Before -er or more, use much or a bit.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"My coffee is blank. Can I have some milk?"
Common mistakes
Incorrect:Nam is more taller than his brother.
Correct:Nam is taller than his brother.
-er or more, not both.
Incorrect:Huế is hotter Đà Lạt.
Correct:Huế is hotter than Đà Lạt.
Put than before the second place.
Incorrect:My sister shorter than me.
Correct:My sister is shorter than me.
The sentence still needs be.
Incorrect:This week is very busier than last week.
Correct:This week is much busier than last week.
Not very before -er. Use much.
Incorrect:My English is gooder now.
Correct:My English is better now.
Good → better.
Incorrect:The exam was more easy than I thought.
Correct:The exam was easier than I thought.
Easy ends in -y: y → i, add -er.
Quick check · 5 questions
Choose the correct words:
The kitchen is smaller than the living room.
- A. smaller than — Correct
- B. smaller
- C. small than
Answer: A. smaller than
Small + -er, then than.
Choose the correct spelling:
You look thinner. Are you OK?
- A. thinner — Correct
- B. thiner
- C. more thin
Answer: A. thinner
One vowel + one consonant (i + n): double the n.
Choose the correct form:
The film was bad, and the ending was worse than the start.
- A. worse — Correct
- B. badder
- C. more bad
Answer: A. worse
Bad has its own form, like good → better.
Which sentence is correct?
The sea is cleaner here.
- A. The sea is cleaner here. — Correct
- B. The sea is more cleaner here.
- C. The sea is more clean here.
Answer: A. The sea is cleaner here.
Clean is a short word: cleaner. More is for long words.
Choose the correct words:
Flights to Đà Nẵng are much cheaper in May than in July.
- A. much cheaper — Correct
- B. very cheaper
- C. very cheap
Answer: A. much cheaper
Very doesn't go before -er.
See whether it really stuck.
Start the quiz · 12 questions