In English, the comparative structures are very common parts which be used in Communication and Exams.
The formulas and usage of the comparative structures are listed below:
1. Using as…as:
When comparing with as .. as, the adjective does not change
Examples:
a. She is as beautiful as an angel.
b. My sister drives as fast as my brother does
2. Using not as…as / not so…as:
Examples:
a. Peter is not so tall as John.
b. I do not eat as much as my best friend.
3. Comparing with than:
- 1-syllable adjectives:
- More than or 2-syllable adjectives, adverbs:
Examples:
a. She is smarter than her.
b. This hat is more expensive than others.
Notes:
- When add “er”, if the words end: consonant-vowel-consonant, then the last consonant is usually doubled in the comparative.
Examples:
hot -> hotter
fat -> fatter
thin -> thinner
fit -> fitter
- 2-syllable adjectives ending in “et, ow, le, er” applied the formula of 1-syllable adjectives.
Examples:
clever -> cleverer
simple -> simpler
narrow -> narrower
- 2-syllable adjectives ending in -y: change the -y to -ier
Examples:
happy -> happier
easy -> easier
lucky -> luckier
- Comparing with than have no the negative formula : not.
Examples:
I is cleverer than you -> You are not as clever as me.
Don’t write: You are not cleverer than me.
4. The superlative:
- 1-syllable adjectives:
- More than or 2-syllable adjectives, adverbs:
Examples:
a. He is the tallest student in the class.
b. Peter is the most intelligent person in this room.
Some irregular adjectives:
| Adjective | with than | superlative |
| Good/well | better | the best |
| Badly/bad/ill | worse | the worst |
| Little | less | the least |
| Much/many | more | the most |
| Far | father/further | the farther/furthest |
5. Comparative adjectives: -er and er, more and more
5.1. Same adjective:
- 1-syllable adjectives:
- More than or 2-syllable adjectives, adverbs:
Examples:
a. It is colder and colder.
b. Her son is more and more famous.
5.2. Different adjectives:
Examples:
a. The richer you are, the more selfish you becomes.
b. The more intelligent he is, the lazier he becomes.
c. The more you learn, the more you know.
You can refer to the application English grammar from basic to advanced and some other English learning applications here.
