1. Comparative adjectives

2.  We use comparative adjectives to compare two things.  In the example below, "bigger" is the comparative form of the adjective "big":  A1 A2 A1 is bigger than A2.

3. Formation of Comparative Adjectives  There are two ways to make or to "form" a comparative adjective:  short adjectives: add "-er“ late → later  long adjectives: use "more“ expensive → more expensive

4. Variation:  if the adjective ends in -e, just add –r late → later  if the adjective ends in consonant, vowel, consonant, double the last consonant: big → bigger  if the adjective ends in -y, change the y to I – happy → happier

5. Long adjectives: use more  With some 2-syllable adjectives, we can use "-er" OR "more“  quiet → quieter/more quiet clever → cleverer/more clever narrow → narrower/more narrow simple → simpler/more simple

6. Exception:  The following adjectives have irregular forms: good → better well (healthy) → better bad → worse far → farther/further

7. Use of Comparative Adjectives We use comparative adjectives when talking about 2 things (not 3 or 10 or 1,000,000 things, only 2 things). Often, the comparative adjective is followed by "than". Look at these examples:  John is 1m80. He is tall. But Chris is 1m85. He is taller than John.  America is big. But Russia is bigger.  I want to have a more powerful computer.  Is French more difficult than English?

8. If we talk about the two planets Earth and Mars, we can compare them as shown in the table below: EarthMars Diameter (km)12,7606,790Mars is smaller than Earth. Distance from Sun (million km) 150228Mars is more distant from the Sun. Length of day (hours)2425 A day on Mars is slightly longer than a day on Earth. Moons12Mars has more moons than Earth. Surface temperature (degrees Celcius) 22-23Mars is colder than Earth.

10. Less… Than 1. We can use less before the adjective.  Books are less interesting than movies. 2. Less … than means the same as not as… as.  A buss is less expensive than a taxi.  A bus isn’t as expensive as a taxi. 3.We use not as … as more often than we use less … than