What Is a Comparative Adjective? | Definition & Examples
A comparative adjective indicates a higher or lower degree of a specific attribute (e.g., “faster,” “less trusted”) in a comparison of two people, things, or groups.
Most comparative adjectives are created either by adding the suffix “-er” (e.g., “younger”) or by adding “more” (e.g., “more famous”) or “less” (e.g., “less popular”) before the adjective. The form each comparative adjective takes is determined in part by the number of syllables in the original adjective.
The blue dress is prettier than the green one.
This phone is more expensive than the previous model.
What is a comparative adjective?
A comparative adjective characterizes a noun or pronoun as possessing a specific attribute to a greater or lesser extent compared to another person, thing, or group.
All comparative adjectives involve comparisons, whether implied (e.g., “Yesterday’s coffee was better”) or stated explicitly (e.g., “Robert is shorter than Jim”).
Hawaii’s climate is warmer than Alaska’s.
The shorter of the two mountain peaks is less challenging to climb.
How are comparative adjectives formed?
Most comparative adjectives are constructed following straightforward patterns based on syllable count. There are also irregular adjectives that defy any specific pattern, which may require memorization.
In most cases, one- and two-syllable adjectives can be changed to the comparative form by appending the suffix “-er.” For adjectives with three or more syllables (and some two-syllable adjectives), insert “more” before the base adjective.
Syllable count | Comparative form | Examples |
---|---|---|
One-syllable | Add “-er” | mean; meaner slow; slower strong; stronger |
Two syllables | Add “-er” or add “more” or “less” before the adjective | narrow; narrower patient; more patient quiet; quieter |
Three or more syllables | Add “more” or “less” before the adjective | adventurous; more adventurous curious; more curious mysterious; more mysterious |
If an adjective has an “-e” ending, the comparative can be formed by adding “-r.” For most adjectives ending in “-y,” change the “-y” to “i” and add “-er.” For adjectives that end in a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern, double the final consonant and add “-er” to form the comparative.
Original ending | Comparative ending | Examples |
---|---|---|
“-e” | Add “-r” | brave; braver large; larger wide; wider |
“-y” | Change “-y” to “i” and add “-er” | lovely; lovelier spicy; spicier noisy; noisier |
Consonant + vowel + consonant | Double the final consonant and add “-er” | hot; hotter red; redder fit; fitter |
Irregular comparative adjectives
Irregular comparative adjectives deviate from the standard patterns of forming comparatives, which involve adding the “-er” suffix or using “more” or “less” before the base form of the adjective.
Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
---|---|---|
old | older/elder | oldest/eldest |
little | less | least |
much/many | more | most |
well/good | better | best |
bad | worse | worst |
How are comparative adjectives used in sentences?
Sentences that include comparative adjectives often follow a specific structure: noun/pronoun (subject) + verb + “more”/“less” + adjective + “than” + noun/pronoun (e.g., “Terence is more excited than John”).
In sentences that don’t use “more” or “less,” a comparative adjective ending in “-er” is used instead of the base form (e.g., “Your car is nicer than mine”).
A sentence may also take a much simpler form, such as the following pattern: noun/pronoun (subject) + linking verb + comparative adjective (e.g., “He is friendlier”). In these instances, the comparison is implied rather than explicit.
I’m taller than my dad.
Studying this weekend is more important than going fishing.
The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you use comparative adjectives correctly in sentences.
Comparative and superlative adjectives
The comparative and superlative degrees differ in scope, though both are used to make comparisons. Comparative adjectives are typically used to compare two people, things, or groups. Superlative adjectives compare one person, thing, or group to multiple others.
His grades are the best they’ve ever been.
I’ve never been prouder.
I’m the proudest I’ve ever been.
You’re more honest than your sister.
You’re the most honest person I’ve ever met.
Frequently asked questions about comparative adjectives
- What is the comparative form of the adjective good?
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The comparative form of the adjective “good” is “better” (e.g., “The second draft of the essay was better than the first”). “Better” is an irregular comparative adjective that doesn’t follow the usual rules (i.e., it doesn’t end in “-er” or include the words “more” or “less”).
- What is the comparative form of the adjective bad?
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The comparative form of the adjective “bad” is “worse” (e.g., “His performance in the second round was worse than in the first”). “Worse” is an irregular comparative adjective that doesn’t follow the usual rules (i.e., it doesn’t end in “-er” or include the words “more” or “less”).
The comparative adjective “worse” is not to be confused with the superlative adjective “worst” (e.g., “He was the worst player on the team”).
- What is the comparative form of the adjective clean?
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The comparative form of the adjective “clean” is “cleaner” (e.g., “The kitchen looked so much cleaner after a thorough scrubbing”).
The superlative form of “clean” is “cleanest” (e.g., “This is the cleanest kitchen I have ever seen”).
- What is the comparative form of the adjective lively?
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The comparative form of the adjective “lively” is “livelier” (e.g., “The party became livelier as more guests arrived”).
The superlative form of “lively” is “liveliest” (e.g., “This is the liveliest bar in town”).