Comparatives

Comparative
Adjectives of just one syllable form the comparative by adding "-er":
• Bright … brighter
• Clear … clearer
• Fast … faster
If a one syllable adjective ends in "e", simply add "r":
• Nice … nicer
• Fine … finer
• Ripe … riper
For some adjectives, it is necessary to double the last letter before adding "-er". (For spelling: doubling letters, see next week's grammar question).
• Big … bigger
• Slim … slimmer
• Flat … flatter
All adjectives of three or more syllables form the comparative with "more ".
• Beautiful …more beautiful
• Comfortable … more comfortable
• Typical … more typical
Adjectives of two syllables are more complicated. To see which is the usual form you should see your dictionary. Most adjectives of two syllables form the comparative with "more":
• Famous …more famous
• Thankful … more thankful
• Boring …more boring
• Faithless … more faithless
However, some adjectives of two syllables form the comparative with "-er":
Those that end in "y", change the "y" to "i" and add "-er":
• Happy … happier
• Funny … funnier
• Easy …easier
Those ending in a vowel-sound that is not stressed:
• Yellow …yellower
• Simple …simpler
• Tender …tenderer
In addition, there are some (common) irregular comparative adjectives:
• Good …better
• Bad …worse
• Far …farther or further
• Little (quantity) …less
• Much … more
• Ill …worse
• Old …older or elder