The Comparative

The Grass is Always Greener on the

Other Side

12

Focus on Grammar 2Part XII, Unit 40By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ WellsCopyright © 2006. Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Work Talk 1Work Talk 1

So, how was your first day at your new job?

So, how was your first day at your new job?

Well, my old job was much better

than this job.

Oh, really? What was your

old job like?

Work Talk 2Work Talk 2

Oh, I see. Well, I guess the grass is always greener on

the other side.

Oh, I see. Well, I guess the grass is always greener on

the other side.

My old job was easier than this job.

My old job was easier than this job.

the old job

the new job

My old boss was nicer than my new boss. My old boss was nicer than my new boss.

the old boss

the new boss

My office at my old job was more comfortable.My office at my old job was more comfortable.

the old office

the new office

Comparative AdjectivesComparative Adjectives

Use the comparative form of an adjective + than to compare two people, places, or things.

my dad his dad

My dad is stronger than

your dad.

Olga’s house is larger thanmy house.

Olga’s house is larger thanmy house.

Sergiy’s car is

older thanmy car.

Sergiy’s car is

older thanmy car.

Form 1Form 1

To form the comparative of most short (one-syllable) adjectives, add –er to the adjective. Add only –r if the adjective ends in e.

large -r = larger+old -er = older+

Form 2Form 2

To form the comparative of adjectives that end in consonant + y, change the y to i and add –er.

busy -ier = busier+

Sarah is busier than

John.

Form 3Form 3

To form the comparative of most adjectives of two or more syllables, add more before the adjective.

more intelligent more intelligent+ =

The student is more intelligent than the teacher.

The student is more intelligent than the teacher.

Practice 1Practice 1Write the comparative form of the adjectives. Then compare yourself to a friend.

Example: tall taller than

1. friendly

2. smart

3. popular

4. funny

5. loud

6. outgoing

friendlier than

smarter than

more popular than

funnier than

louder than

more outgoing than

I am taller than

George.

Steve is taller than

I am.

Exceptions 1Exceptions 1

Tired, bored, and fun are one-syllable adjectives that follow the pattern of long adjectives.

tired more tired than

I am more tired than

he is.

bored more bored than

I am more bored than

he is.

fun more fun than

This is more fun than

that is.

Our old neighbors were quieter than

these new neighbors.

Exceptions 2Exceptions 2

Quiet and simple are two-syllable adjectives that follow the pattern of one-syllable adjectives.

quiet quieter thansimple simpler than

French wassimpler than

English.

English

F

Less and MoreLess and More

Less is the opposite of more.

Sandra is more famous than

Liliana.

Liliana is less famous than

Sandra.

SandraLiliana

Irregular FormsIrregular Forms

The adjectives good, bad, and far have irregular comparative forms.

good better

My popcorn is good, but his

popcorn isbetter.

bad worse

My customer’s hairstyle is worse.

My customer’s hairstyle is bad.

far farther

Denver, Colorado, is far from

San Francisco. Chicago, Illinois, is even farther from

San Francisco.

MuchMuch

Use much to make comparisons stronger.

the new boyfriendthe old

boyfriend

My new boyfriend is much more handsome than my

old boyfriend.

Practice 2Practice 2Use the adjectives to compare the two teachers. Try to use much, not as, and less.

strict nice good interesting

old popular angry

Teacher A Teacher B

Teacher A is not as strict as Teacher B.Teacher B is stricter than Teacher A.

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education and its licensors. All rights reserved.

ReferencesReferences