Adjectives

Comparative Form of Adjectives

Introduction:

The comparative form of adjectives is used to compare differences between two objects (people, places, things, ideas, etc.). 

Forming Comparative Adjectives:

1. **Short Adjectives:** 

   - These are typically one-syllable adjectives or two-syllable adjectives ending in -y.

   - **Formation Rule:** Add "-er" to the end of the adjective.

   **Examples:** 

   - Tall → Tall**er**

   - Small → Small**er**

   - Happy → Happ**ier**

   

   **Spelling Changes:** 

   - For adjectives ending in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel, double the consonant before adding "-er".

     - Big → Big**ger**

     - Hot → Hot**ter**

2. **Long Adjectives:**

   - These are typically adjectives with two or more syllables.

   - **Formation Rule:** Use "more" before the adjective instead of adding "-er".

   **Examples:**

   - Beautiful → More beautiful

   - Interesting → More interesting

   - Comfortable → More comfortable

3. **Irregular Adjectives:**

   - Some adjectives have irregular comparative forms that must be memorized.

   **Examples:**

   - Good → Better

   - Bad → Worse

   - Far → Farther/Further

**Usage in Sentences:**

When constructing sentences with comparative adjectives, the structure is generally as follows:

- Subject + Verb + Comparative Adjective + Than + Object

**Examples:**

- She is tall**er** than her brother.

- This puzzle is more challeng**ing** than the previous one.

- His performance is bett**er** than last time.

  

**Special Cases:**

1. **Adjectives ending in -e:** Just add -r.

   - Large → Larger

   - Wise → Wiser

2. **Adjectives ending in -y:** Change the -y to -i and add -er.

   - Happy → Happier

   - Busy → Busier

3. **Adjectives with a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern:** Double the final consonant before adding -er.

   - Fat → Fatter

   - Sad → Sadder

**Common Mistakes:**

1. **Using 'more' with short adjectives:**

   Incorrect: More tall

   Correct: Taller

2. **Adding "-er" to long adjectives:**

   Incorrect: Beautifuller

   Correct: More beautiful

3. **Comparing three or more items using comparatives:**

   For comparing three or more items, use the superlative form instead of the comparative form.

Practice Exercises

1. Make the comparative form of the following adjectives:

   - Cold → __________

   - Simple → __________

   - Expensive → __________

   - Intelligent → __________

2. Create comparative sentences using these adjective pairs:

   - Fast / slow (example: The rabbit is faster than the tortoise.)

   - Bright / dull

   - Friendly / reserved

   - Heavy / light

Test on the Comparative Form of Adjectives

**Part A: Multiple Choice**

1. What is the correct comparative form of the adjective "happy"?

   a) happiester

   b) more happy

   c) happier

   d) happiest

2. Which of the following sentences uses the comparative form correctly?

   a) My car is expensiver than yours.

   b) My car is more expensive than yours.

   c) My car is expensivest than yours.

   d) My car is most expensive than yours.

3. What is the correct comparative form of the adjective "easy"?

   a) easier

   b) easeier

   c) more easy

   d) easist

4. What is the correct comparative form of the adjective "bad"?

   a) more bad

   b) badder

   c) worse

   d) worser

5. Select the sentence that uses the comparative adjective correctly.

   a) This puzzle is difficulter than the last one.

   b) This puzzle is more difficult than the last one.

   c) This puzzle is difficult more than the last one.

   d) This puzzle is most difficult than the last one.

**Part B: Fill in the blanks**

1. This book is __________ (interesting) than the one I read last week.

2. He is __________ (strong) than his older brother.

3. My house is __________ (big) than yours.

4. This year's winter is __________ (cold) than last year's.

5. Janet's dress is __________ (beautiful) than Sarah's.

**Part C: Transform the adjectives into their correct comparative forms and fill in the sentences**

1. (Smart) John is __________ than Peter.

2. (Busy) Today's schedule is __________ than yesterday's.

3. (Bright) The sun is __________ today than it was yesterday.

4. (Comfortable) This chair is __________ than that one.

5. (Tall) My sister is __________ than I am.

**Part D: Correct the Errors**

Each sentence contains a mistake with the use of comparative adjectives. Rewrite the sentence correctly.

1. This exam is more easy than the previous one.

2. She is the smarter of the two.

3. This problem is dificultest than I thought.

4. His story is gooder than hers.

5. That cake is sweety more than this one.

**Part E: Short Answer**

1. Explain the rule for forming the comparative for adjectives ending in -y.

2. Provide the comparative forms of the following irregular adjectives: 

   - Good

   - Far

   - Little

  

**Answer Key**

**Part A: Multiple Choice**

1. c) happier

2. b) My car is more expensive than yours.

3. a) easier

4. c) worse

5. b) This puzzle is more difficult than the last one.

**Part B: Fill in the blanks**

1. more interesting

2. stronger

3. bigger

4. colder

5. more beautiful

**Part C: Transform the adjectives into their correct comparative forms and fill in the sentences**

1. smarter

2. busier

3. brighter

4. more comfortable

5. taller

**Part D: Correct the Errors**

1. This exam is easier than the previous one.

2. She is smarter than him.

3. This problem is more difficult than I thought.

4. His story is better than hers.

5. That cake is sweeter than this one.

**Part E: Short Answer**

1. For adjectives ending in -y, change the -y to -i and add -er.

   

2. Comparative forms of irregular adjectives:

   - Good → Better

   - Far → Farther/Further

   - Little → Less