Comparative Adjective definition, usages and examples

Comparative Adjectives

Comparative adjectives are used to compare differences in the quality or quantity of two or more nouns. They highlight whether one noun has a higher or lower degree of a specific characteristic in comparison to another.

Points About Comparative Adjectives:

• Definition: Comparative adjectives modify nouns to indicate a higher or lower degree of a particular quality when comparing two or more things.
  Example: “This tree is taller than the other tree.”
• Formation: Most comparative adjectives are formed by adding “-er” to one-syllable adjectives, or by using “more” before adjectives with two or more syllables.
  Examples:
  • “Fast” (one syllable) becomes “faster.”
  • “Comfortable” (three syllables) becomes “more comfortable.”
• Two-Item Comparison: Comparative adjectives are used when comparing two things or individuals.
  Example: “This dress is more elegant than that one.”
• Comparative Marker “Than”: The word “than” is used to connect the two nouns being compared.
  Examples:
  • “She is quicker than her friend.”
  • “The second movie was more exciting than the first one.”
• Degree of Comparison: Comparative adjectives show a higher or lower degree of a specific quality.
  Examples:
  • “This morning is colder than yesterday.”
  • “He is more creative than anyone else.”
• Irregular Forms: Some adjectives have irregular comparative forms that don’t follow the standard “-er” or “more” pattern.
  Examples:
  • “Good” becomes “better,”
    Example: “She is better at cooking than her sister.”
  • “Bad” becomes “worse,”
    Example: “The coffee is worse today than yesterday.”
  • “Far” becomes “farther” or “further,”
    Example: “The next stop is farther than the previous one.”
  • “Little” becomes “less,”
    Example: “I have less homework than my classmates.”
  • “Many” and “Much” become “more,”
    Example: “She has more books than I do.”
  • “Well” becomes “better,”
    Example: “He plays soccer better than anyone else.”
  • “Badly” becomes “worse,”
    Example: “She speaks English worse than her brother.”
• Superlative Degree: Comparative adjectives can also be used to indicate the highest or lowest degree of a quality among three or more things.
  Examples:
  • “This is the fastest runner in the race.”
  • “He is the most dedicated employee in the company.”
• Agreement: Comparative adjectives do not change based on the number or gender of the noun they modify.
  Examples:
  • “The older books.”
  • “The smarter students.”

Comparative adjectives help you articulate the subtle differences that exist between things, making descriptions more vivid

Comparative adjectives allow us to describe differences and express the relative degree of qualities between two or more things. By using them, you can create more detailed and insightful comparisons in your writing or speech.