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!

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. 

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 

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!

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:

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. 

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

Hopefully, the article on comparative structures from PREP has provided you with additional knowledge and understanding of English grammar concepts. Be sure to regularly follow PREP to learn even more fresh insights.