You are on page 1of 22

COMPARATIVE

by Patricia Galien
http://pjgalien.wordpress.com

COMPARATIVE
ADJECTIVES
Use the comparative form of an adjective + than
to compare two people, places, or things.
Remember that comparative adjectives are
adjectives, so you will need to use be verbs or
linking verbs in sentences of comparison.

http://pjgalien.wordpress.com/

COMPARATIVE
ADJECTIVES
What is the difference between a crocodile and an
alligator?

crocodile
http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/medialive/photos/000/002/cache/american-crocodile_219_600x450.jpg

alligator
http://www.floridanature.org/photos/Alligator_mississippie
nsis_9,_St._Marks_NWR,_20041016.jpg

COMPARATIVE
ADJECTIVES

Crocodiles jaws are the same width. Alligators have


wider upper jaws than crocodiles.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QAk_oiB1NBw/ThKabx3UyNI/AAAAAAAAABA/qv39FipsqRI/s1600/Crocodile+vs.+alligator.jpg

COMPARATIVE
ADJECTIVES
dark

Alligators are darker than crocodiles.


http://www.kidsstoppress.com/2011/07/difference-between-an-alligator-crocodile/

COMPARATIVE
ADJECTIVES
dangerous
Crocodiles are more
dangerous to humans than
alligators.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alligatoridae

http://www.moneyandshit.com/wp-

FORMS OF THE
COMPARATIVE
Group 1
old
older
young
younger
tall
taller
dark
darker
long
longer

Group 3
curly
curlier
happy
happier
friendly
friendlier
hungry
hungrier
busy
busier

Analyze the four groups of


adjectives and write four
grammar rules for the
comparative.
Group 2
talkative
more talkative
punctual
more punctual
beautiful
more beautiful
interesting
more interesting
helpful
more helpful

Group 4
handsome
handsomer, more handsome
simple
simpler, more simple
quiet
quieter, more quiet
friendly
friendlier, more friendly

COMPARATIVE
GROUP 1

For most short (one-syllable) adjectives, add er to the


adjective. Add only r if the adjective ends in e.
Use the
be verb
with
adjective
s.

My new boss is
nicer than my
old boss.

old boss
http://yourlifementor.files.wordpress.com/20
10/11/mean-boss.jpg

new boss
http://www.justjared.com/2009/06/22/oprah-winfrey-tostaff-free-cruises-all-around/

COMPARATIVE
GROUP 2

For most adjectives of two or more syllables, add more


before the adjective.

old job

My new job is
more interesting
than my old job.

new job

http://media.cnbc.com/i/CNBC/Sections/News_And_Analysis/_Ne

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01930/bored_193 ws/_SLIDESHOWS/Americas_Best_Jobs_2011/SS_best_jobs_of_
0967c.jpg
2010_dentist.jpg

COMPARATIVE
GROUP 3

For adjectives that end in y, change the y to i and add er.

old job

http://www.nature.com/news/2007/071
113/images/paperwork.jpg

I was busier at
my old job than I
am at my new
job.

new job

http://cdashnaw.files.wordpress.com/200
9/05/lazy-guy-on-computer.jpg

COMPARATIVE
GROUP 4

Quiet, simple, handsome, and friendly are examples of


two-syllable adjectives that can follow the pattern of one or
two syllable adjectives.

My new coworkers are


more friendly than my
old coworkers.

old coworkers

new coworkers

My new coworkers are


friendlier than my old
http://img.ehowcdn.com/article-new/dshttp://www.experience.com/entry-level-jobs/news/becomingcoworkers.
photo/getty/article/81/11/78228571_XS.jpg
friendly-with-your-coworkers/

COMPARATIVE
EXCEPTIONS

Tired, bored, and fun are one-syllable adjectives that follow


the pattern of long adjectives.

Cooking is more
funer
fun than cleaning.
http://articles.nydailynews.com/2009-0818/entertainment/17933207_1_gordon-ramsay-genderequality-kitchen

http://www.wehatecleaning.com/wpcontent/uploads/2012/10/teenagers-excuses.jpg

COMPARATIVE
IRREGULAR

The adjectives good, bad, and far are irregular.


Adjective

Comparative

Superlative

good

better

the best

bad

worse

the worst

far

farthe
r

the farthest

My 4th grade class was bad, but my 9th grade class is worse.
http://media.salon.com/2011/09/school_its_way_more_borin
g_than_when_you_were_there-460x307.jpg

http://www.probloggertips.com/wpcontent/uploads/2012/09/boring_class.jpg

Work with a partner. Write


comparative sentences or
questions about the pictures.

Practice
1.

2.

http://noreallyimhappy.com/
wpcontent/uploads/2012/01/m
cdonalds-big-mac-withreflection.jpg
http://www.delish.com/re
cipes/cookingrecipes/five-wintersoups-salads-recipes

Why/ isBig
a salad
than a Big
why
Mac / more
saladexpensive
/ expensive
Mac?

The orange
is heavier than the
heavy
apple.
http://bubbasmith.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bom-compare.jpg

3.

4.

The boy on the


tallright is taller than
the boy on the left.
http://howcanigettallertoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/How-can-I-gettaller.jpg

Batman
handsome than the
Batman /isJoker
more/ handsome
joker. handsomer
http://th09.deviantart.net/fs43/PRE/f/2009/116/2/6/266a412ccae352eca4e2eb963ec8bfd3.jpg
http://www.whosurmuse.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Batman-Arkham-City-1.jpg

LESS + ADJECTIVES
Less is the opposite of more.
Group 2
talkative
more talkative
less
punctual
more
punctual
less
beautiful
more beautiful
less
interesting
more interesting
less
helpful
more helpful
less

Physical therapy was


more helpful than
medication.
http://www.bipolarbrain.com/meds.html

Medication was less


helpful than physical
therapy.
http://sp.life123.com/bm.pix/physical-therapy-requirements.s600x600.jpg

MUCH + COMPARATIVE

before smoking
after smoking
She looks much older since she started smoking.
http://annadannfelt.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/m2m_before-after_19.jpg?w=300&h=173

Practice

Write a sentence. Use much


and the comparative.

He is much fatter since he started using the internet.


http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PnGDRmMobXI/TPImn9jFHyI/AAAAAAAAAkc/k-D_Lmf0PVc/s1600/before+internet+comic.JPG

Practice

Write a sentence. Use much


and comparative adjectives.

my old car

my new car
safe
expensive
My new car is much safer than my old car, but it is
much more expensive.
http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2012-01/ten-worstcars_67688306.jpg

http://www.roadandtrack.com/var/ezflow_site/storage_RT_NEW/storag
e/images/media/images/fc_2012-maserati-sports-car_lead1/1501757-1eng-US/fc_2012-maserati-sports-car_lead1.jpg

A LITTLE + COMPARATIVE
Use a little to make comparisons weaker.
The yarn on the right is
a little
____________
darker than the
yarn on the left.
1
Group ___
2
Group ___
The yarn on the right is
a little
____________
more
expensive than the yarn on
the left.
http://www.carylldesigns.com/yarns/MC_river_twist_missouri_river_stillwater_compare.jpg

Practice

Write a sentence. Use a little


and the comparative.

expensive
big

The apartment on the right is a little more expensive than


the apartment on the left because it is bigger.
http://www.kearnycountyhospital.com/images/Assist_layout1.GIF

COMPARATIV
E WITH NOUNS

You use more than, less than,


and fewer than with nouns.
What are the two rules?

Use more with count and noncount nouns.


Seattle has more rain than Chicago.
Chicago has more buildings than Seattle.
Use fewer with count and less
with noncount nouns.
I have less money than you
do.
Rita has fewer children than
Roberta.
http://static.desktopnexus.com/thumbnails/824286-bigthumbnail.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_AQULAchAM/TaQ3zC9HrI/AAAAAAAAAg4/_w_tRUwboa8/s1600/seattle-in-the-rain.jpg

Practice

Complete the sentences.

Example: I am __________
busier
than you are. (busy)

more
1. My sister is __________
popular than my brother.
than his brother.
2. He is older ________
3. My old apartment was too small. My new apartment
much
is ________
bigger.
fewer
4. Palos Hills has __________
people than Chicago.
less
5. Florida has __________
snow than Chicago.

You might also like