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Comparative in English: Structure, Usage, and Exercises

In English, the comparative form is frequently employed to compare two objects or things that share the same characteristics. Furthermore, this structure holds significant importance in IELTS Writing Task 1. How is this comparative formula presented? Let PREP provide a comprehensive understanding of the entire spectrum of knowledge regarding comparative in English!

Comparative in English: structures and exercises
Comparative in English: structures and exercises

I. What is comparative in English?

Comparative in English is used to compare the differences between two or multiple objects, characteristics, or actions. This grammatical item helps us compare levels, sizes, quality, or other attributes of objects. For example:

  • She is taller than her sister. 
  • This book is more interesting than the one I read last week. 
  • The red car is faster than the blue car. 
What is comparative in English?
What is comparative in English?

In IELTS Writing Task 1, if you can accurately apply the comparative structure, your band score may be improved. For example:

  • The average annual rainfall in City A was higher than that in City B.

II. The structure of comparative in English

Regarding the comparative structure, in addition to the general structure, we will also have other structures depending on the two types of words: short adjectives and adverbs, as well as long adjectives and adverbs. Join PREP to learn more about them below!

1. Short adjectives

Short adjectives are adjectives that have only one syllable like “fast, good, tall, nice…”. 

The comparative structure with short adjectives: 

S + V + Adj/Adv + -er + than

For example:

  • This car is faster than that car. 
  • This recent exercise is easier than the last one 
  • My friend’s house is bigger than mine 
Comparative in English with short adjectives
Comparative in English with short adjectives

1.1. Special cases of short adjectives with comparative in English

Besides the cases following the above rules, the comparative structure also has some other special cases. Let's compare them together with PREP!

Adjective/Adverb

Comparative adjective

Note

good

better

 

bad

worse

 

much/ many

more

 

far

farther/further

 

little

less

Applied only in uncountable nouns

few

fewer

Applied only in countable nouns

1.2. Some notes on adding suffix -er to short comparative adjectives

There are a few rules below that we need to follow when using the comparative structure with short adjectives. Please read the rules carefully to avoid mistakes:

Rule

Example

For adjectives or adverbs that have one syllable, we simply need to add the suffix -er after that adjective or adverb.

 

high ➡ higher

fast ➡ faster

short ➡ shorter

For adjectives or adverbs ending in -y, we change the -y to -i before adding the suffix -er.

 

easy ➡ easier

lucky ➡ luckier

happy ➡ happier

For adjectives or adverbs ending in a consonant, but preceded by a vowel, we double the final consonant and add the suffix -er.

 

fat ➡ fatter

big ➡ bigger

2. Long adjectives (two or more syllables)

Long adjectives are adjectives that have two or more syllables such as pleasant, expensive, and intellectual.

The formula is as follows:

S + V + more + Adj/Adv + than

For example:

  • The new iPhone is more expensive than the old model. 
  • The sunset over the ocean is more beautiful than the one over the mountains. 
  • The surgeon performed the operation more carefully than before. 
long-adjectives-two-or-more-syllables-
Long adjectives (two or more syllables)

3. Some notes on comparative

Some adjectives cannot be used in comparative form because, in their basic form, they already mean the highest, most perfect, or complete degree. For example:

  • unique 
  • perfect 
  • complete 

III. Other special comparative structures

In addition to the comparative structures with short and long adjectives discussed above, let's explore two special comparative structures below!

1. Inequality structure

To express that something is not on the same level as something else, please use the inequality structure "not as...as" below:

The structure is as follows: 

S + to be + NOT + as… + as +…. 

For examples:

  • Marry is not as tall as his brother. 
  • The new smartphone is not as expensive as the previous model. 

2. Double comparison

The structure is as follows:

The + comparative + S + V, the + comparative + S + V

For example:

  • The more you practice, the better you become. 
  • The more you study, the more knowledgeable you become. 
  • The more you practice, the better you will become at playing the piano.

IV. Exercises on comparative in English

1. Exercise

Exercise 1:  Complete the following sentences with the appropriate comparative form of the adjectives or adverbs.

  • This exercise is ___________ (difficult) than the previous one.
  • She is ___________ (tall) than her brother.
  • My house is ___________ (big) than yours.
  • The weather today is ___________ (good) than yesterday.
  • John speaks English ___________ (fluently) than his sister.

Exercise 2: Rearrange the following words into a correct sentence

  • fast / car / My / than / his / is.
  • smart / My / sister / is / than / your.
  • more / interesting / This book / than / the / is / one / I read last week.
  • my / house / is / bigger / than / Her.
  • plays / He / the guitar / better / than / his friend.

2. Answer keys

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

  • more difficult than
  • taller than
  •  bigger than
  • better than
  • more fluently
  • My car is faster than his.
  • My sister is smarter than yours.
  • This book is more interesting than the one I read last week.
  • Her house is smaller than mine.
  • He plays the guitar better than his friend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

V. Crack the IELTS Exam With Confidence 

Hopefully, the article on comparative structures from PREP has provided you with additional knowledge and understanding of English grammar concepts. If Band 7+ is your goal, our expert strategies will get you there—check them out:

Master Tu Pham
Master Tu Pham
Founder/CEO at Prep
Founder of Prep Smart Test Preparation Platform. With over 10 years of experience in teaching and test preparation, Mr. Tú has helped thousands of students achieve high scores in the IELTS exam. In addition, Mr. Tú Phạm is also a consulting expert in British Council programs and a speaker at many leading educational events, programs, and conferences.
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