Estructura

 

Understanding the Structure of Comparative Adjectives

Comparative adjectives are a fundamental aspect of the English language, allowing us to compare two people, places, things, or ideas. They help convey differences in quality, quantity, or degree. In this blog post, we will explore the structure of comparative adjectives of superiority, which are used to show that one thing is greater than another in some way.

Basic Structure

The basic structure of comparative adjectives of superiority in English involves adding the suffix "-er" to short adjectives or using the word "more" before longer adjectives.

One-Syllable Adjectives

For adjectives with one syllable, simply add "-er" to the end of the adjective. 

Examples:

• Old becomes older: "My brother is older than me."
• Tall becomes taller:  "John is taller than Mike."
• Fast becomes faster: "This car is faster than that one."

 

Two-Syllable Adjectives ending in -y

For two-syllable adjectives that end in "-y," change the "y" to "i" and add "-er."

Examples:

• Happy becomes happier: "She is happier now than she was before."
• Busy becomes busier: "This week is busier than last week."

Adjectives with Two or More Syllables

For adjectives with two or more syllables that do not end in "-y," use "more" before the adjective.

Examples:

• Beautiful becomes more beautiful: "This painting is more beautiful than that one."
• Expensive becomes more expensive: "The new phone is more expensive than the old one."
• Interesting becomes more interesting: "The book is more interesting than the movie."

Irregular Comparatives

Some adjectives have irregular comparative forms that do not follow the standard rules.

Examples:

• Good becomes better: "She is better at math than her brother."
• Bad becomes worse: "His situation is worse than mine."
• Far becomes farther or further: "He lives farther away than she does."

Forming Sentences with Comparatives

When constructing sentences with comparative adjectives, the typical structure is:

Examples:

•  Charlie is taller than Heather.

•  This test is easier than the last one.

•  Her new job is more challenging than her previous job.

Using Comparative Adjectives Correctly

While using comparative adjectives, it’s important to ensure that the comparisons are logical and clear. Always compare similar types of things. For instance, comparing a person's height to a car’s speed would be illogical.

Correct:

 ✅This movie is more exciting than the book.

 ✅Her dress is prettier than mine.

Incorrect:

❌This movie is more exciting than her dress.

Understanding the structure of comparative adjectives is essential for effective communication in English. By mastering the rules for forming comparatives, you can accurately convey differences and make your descriptions more precise and engaging. Practice these structures, and you will find that making comparisons in English becomes second nature.