Making Comparisons in English SUMMARY

Janet's house Tom's house We often use comparisons because we want to talk about the differences between people, places, and things. Here is an example: Janet’s house is bigger than Tom’s. Tom’s house is a lot smaller than Janet’s. 3. Janet’s house is fancier and more elaborate than Tom’s house. Janet's house Tom's house

The comparative forms from the previous example are: -bigger than -smaller than -fancier than -more elaborate than So . . . When do we use “–er” and when do we use “more?” Here are the rules

Rule 1: For 1-syllable adjectives, JUST add “er” to the end. How many syllables are the words: “big” and “small?” 1 For 1-syllable adjectives, JUST add “er” to the end. Example: Tom is smarter than Joe. *If the 1-syllable adjective ends with the letter “e,” JUST add “r” to the end. Examples: nicer wiser **If the 1-syllable adjective has a C-V-C pattern, Double the consonant and add “er.”  Examples: San Francisco is wetter than San Diego. San Diego is bigger than San Francisco.

Rule 2: For adjectives that end with the letter “y,” DROP the “y” and add “ier.” Examples: Adjective = fancy Janet’s house is fancier than Tom’s. Adjective = pretty Janet’s house is prettier than Tom’s. Adjective = friendly Alison is friendlier than Susan.

Rule 3: (more than 1) For adjectives that are 2 or more syllables, How many syllables is the word: elaborate? 4 (more than 1) For adjectives that are 2 or more syllables, use “more” + the adjective to make the comparative form. Examples: Adjective = elaborate Janet’s house is more elaborate than Tom’s. Adjective = comfortable This chair is more comfortable than that chair.

Rule 4: Irregular comparatives: You MUST memorize these! Examples: good = better than far = farther (further) than bad = worse than Adjective = good Sara’s grades are better than Michael’s.

Never use both MORE and “ER!” Grammar Rule: Never use both MORE and “ER!” Incorrect: Lisa’s job is more better than mine. Correct: Lisa’s job is better than mine.

Rule 5: Using “less than” Examples: Sometimes we compare two things by using “less than.” To do this, use LESS + adjective + THAN When using “less than,” the adjective DOES NOT CHANGE Examples: He is LESS energetic than my other teacher. This class is LESS crowded than the other one. New York City is LESS polluted than Los Angeles.

Review of Rules Rule . . . ADJECTIVE COMPARATIVE 1. Adjectives with one syllable: add “er” old big cheap older than bigger than cheaper than 2. Adjectives that end in “Y”: drop “Y”, add “ier” friendly busy easy friendlier than busier than easier than 3. Adjectives with two or more syllables: use “more” polite beautiful important more polite than more beautiful than more important than 4. Irregular forms: (memorize) good bad far better than worse than farther/further than 5. Less Than quiet crowded less quiet than less crowded than

Some Exceptions... There are a few exceptions with comparative grammar . . . These are adjectives that don’t follow the basic rules or that have more than one acceptable form. To learn these, you must memorize them. “fun” We say: more fun funner 2. “simple” We say: more simple OR simpler 3. “narrow” We say: more narrow OR narrower 4. “quiet” We say: more quiet OR quieter

Practice! more interesting prettier friendlier hotter richer Try these examples. Use the comparative form. I think Social Studies is _________________ (interesting) than Math. 2. San Diego is a _____________ (pretty) city than L.A. 3. A dog is usually _______________ (friendly) than a cat. 4. It is _____________ (hot) today than it was yesterday. 5. My cousin is ______________ (rich) than I am. 6. USE LESS: Some people think that Spanish is __________________ (difficult) than English. more interesting prettier friendlier hotter richer less difficult

Now time to Practice the superlatives

Who has the widest mouth in the world? His name is Francisco Domingo,. He is from Angola.

Where was the largest bikini parade held?

Hundreds of Women stood at

Where is the smallest man in the world from? He is from Nepal

His name is Chandra Dangi and he is 67 cm tall.

Who is the tallest man in the world? He is from «Alpachaca» His name is Sultan Kosen

His name is Melvin Boothe Which man has the longest fingernails in the world? His name is Melvin Boothe

Who has the smallest waist in the world? Her name is Cathie Jung

Chest-over-nipple: 177.8 cm Her name is Annie Turner Who has the biggest natural breasts in the world? Under breasts: 109.22 cm Chest-over-nipple: 177.8 cm Her name is Annie Turner

Volume: 470.4 cubic metres Density of : 0.86 tons/ m3 How big is the largest Mining Truck ? Volume: 470.4 cubic metres Density of : 0.86 tons/ m3

She is from Ibarra and studies at UTN. Who is the hairiest teenager in the world? She is from Ibarra and studies at UTN. The true fact: She is from Thailand Her name is Supatra Nat

Measurement: 10.18 m James DeCaine. U.S.A. Who has the largest rifle in the world? Measurement: 10.18 m James DeCaine. U.S.A.

It is simple, I can do it. Could you do this?

He is as strong as the Teacher.

Thanks! You are the best! elt@gmx.us Javier Burgos E.L.T.