The comparative form of adjectives is used for comparing two objects in a sentence. Let’s look at some examples:
- Alexa is smarter than Mike.
- Alexa is more intelligent than Mike.
In this example, why is it ‘smarter’, but not *’intelligenter’? It all depends on the number of syllables that the adjective has.
In English, when you use an adjective that has one to two syllables, it takes the -er suffix. Here are some examples of adjectives with one syllable:
- Tall-taller
- Small-smaller
- Smart-smarter
- Cold-colder
The same rule applies for adjectives with two syllables which end in an unstressed -y, but note that the spelling changes from -y to -ier.
- Pretty-prettier*
- Happy-happier*
- Noisy-noisier*
Words with three syllables need to have the word ‘more’ in front of them in order to show a comparison.
- Successful-more successful
- Intelligent- more intelligent
- Fashionable- more fashionable
- Beautiful- more beautiful
Exceptions
A lot of times in English, there is no one-rule-fits-all. There are some frequently used adjectives which have an irregular comparative form. These you will have to memorize.
- Good-better
- Bad-worse
- Little-less
- Much-fewer
- Far-farther
One final note to remember is that many learners will use both rules and will say sentences like:
- *He is more faster than me.
Remember that an adjective either takes the -er suffix, or needs ‘more’ to be added in front of it in the comparative form. An adjective never takes both forms in the same sentence.
