Rules for comparative form in English
In English we use comparative adjectives when comparing two people or things. It is very important to know the rules that are followed to form comparative adjectives and therefore this lesson begins by showing the grammar topic.
1.- Adjetivos cortos
For most adjectives with one syllable (short adjectives), add the suffix "-er" for we form their comparative:
Ejemplos:
small / smaller (pequeño / mas pequeño)
cool / cooler (fresco / más fresco)
cheap / cheaper (barato / más barato)
fast / faster (rápido / más rápido)
clean / cleaner (limpio / más limpio)
Although the rule is to simply add "-er" at the end, we have the following exceptions in some cases short adjectives:
a) For short adjectives ending in "-e", just add "-r":
Ejemplos:
wide / wider (ancho / más ancho)
nice / nicer (agradable / más agradable)
safe / safer (seguro / más seguro)
b) For short adjectives ending in a vowel and a consonant, double consonant and add "-er":
Ejemplos:
fat / fatter (gordo / más gordo)
thin / thinner (delgado / más delgado)
big / bigger (grande / más grande)
c) For short adjectives ending in "-y", change the "y" to "i" and add suffix "-er":
Ejemplos:
dry / drier (seco / más seco)
heavy / heavier (pesado / más pesado)
happy / happier (feliz / más feliz)
2.- Adjetivos largos
For many adjectives with 2 or more syllables, use "more" over the original adjective:
more + adjective
Ejemplos:
expensive / more expensive (caro / más caro)
beautiful / more beautiful (bonito / más bonito)
generous / more generous (generoso / más generoso)
3.- Adjetivos con comparativo especial
Some adjectives have a special comparative form:
Ejemplos:
good / better (bueno / mejor)
bad / worse (malo / peor)
Having known the essential rules for forming comparative we can now delve into the basic structure for prayers.
Realizando comparaciones en oraciones afirmativas:
For affirmative sentences use the word "than" after the comparative for comparison:
Ejemplos singular:
1.- Victor is taller than Adrian.
(Víctor es más alto que Adrián)
2.- Marcela is uglier than Karla.
(Marcela es más fea que Karla)
3.- He is more extroverted than John.
(Él es más extrovertido que Juan)
4.- Megan is more attractive than Britney.
(Megan es más atractiva que Britney)
Ejemplos plural:
1- Those shoes are better than yours.
(Esos zapatos son mejores que los tuyos)
2.- Elephants are bigger than tigers.
(Los elefantes son más grandes que los tigres)
3.- The books are more interesting than movies.
(Los libros son más interesantes que las películas)
4.- Apples are more expensive than oranges.
(Las manzanas son más caras que las naranja)
As you can see from these examples, in the first four compare singular and the second set of samples were plural, I wanted them this way to differentiate the use of the auxiliary verb "to be" in both cases: when we talk about singular "is" and plural "are".
Nota: Cuando no mencionamos las 2 cosas no se usa "than":
Ejemplos:
That book is cheaper (Ese libro es más barato)
My bed is more comfortable (Mi cama es más cómoda)
Those wheels are worse (Esas llantas son peores)
These computers are faster (Estas computadoras son más rápidas)
Realizando comparaciones con “less”:
So far there have been examples of sentences in which comparisons with "most" were made, but it is also possible to make comparative "less" putting the word "less" before adjectives largos.En this case does not change the adjective.
less + adjective
Ejemplos:
1.- This country is less dangerous than yours.
(Este país es menos peligroso que el tuyo)
2.- Paty is less extroverted than Mary.
(Patricia es menos extrovertida que María)
3.- The books are less interesting than movies
(Los libros son menos interesantes que las películas)
4.- Oranges are less expensive than apples.
(Las naranjas son menos caras que las manzanas)
Realizando comparaciones en oraciones negativas:
In negative sentences used in the form of denial verb "to be" and structure "as adjective as" depending if I speak in singular or plural.
Ejemplos singular:
1.- I'm not as fat as John.
(No soy tan gordo como Juan)
2.- Lucy is not as shy as Kate.
(Luci no es tan timida como Kate)
3.- Avatar is not as good as Titanic.
(Avatar no es tan buena como Titanic)
4.- A cake is not as tasty as ice cream.
(Un pastel no es tan sabroso como la nieve)
Ejemplos plural:
1.- Scary movies are not as fun as comedies.
(Las películas de espanto no son tan divertidas como las comedias)
2.- Dogs are not as clean as cats.
(Los perros no son tan limpios como los gatos)
3.- Tablets are not as useful as smartphones.
(Las tablets no son tan útiles como los teléfonos inteligentes)
4.- Cars are not as heavy as airplanes.
(Los carros no son tan pesados como los aviones)
Note that in this type of rules of comparative sentences, ie are not followed, not the adjective is changed to any other form but stands as seen in the list of adjectives basic English course.
To conclude this topic, see as a sentence can be composed of both forms (affirmative and negative) and its meaning does not change. For example, each pair of the following sentences have the same meaning:
- Victor is taller than Adrian
- Adrian is not as tall as Victor
- The books are more interesting than movies
- Movies are not as interesting as books
- Titanic is better than Avatar
- Avatar is not as good as Titanic
- Comedies are funnier than scary movies
- Scary movies are not as fun as comedies
