Compare two people, places or things using an adjective.

The idea

Many short adjectives form a comparative with -er: small → smaller. Some change spelling, such as easy → easier. Longer adjectives often use more: more convenient. Use than to name the second thing being compared: smaller than that room. Some forms are irregular: good → better.

Examples

  • This room is smaller than that room.
  • The blue bag is lighter than the black bag.
  • Today is warmer than yesterday.
  • This route is more convenient than that one.
  • The second lesson is easier than the first.
  • This book is better than the old one.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.

Watch out

Do not combine more with an ordinary -er form: use smaller, not more smaller. Check unfamiliar comparative forms because adjective patterns vary.

Try it yourself

  1. The room is ___ than that one. (smaller / more small)

    Show answer or example answer

    smaller

    smaller is the usual comparative of small.

  2. This lesson is ___ than the first. (easier / easyer)

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    easier

    easy changes y to i before -er: easier.

  3. This book is ___ than the old one. (better / gooder)

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    better

    better is the irregular comparative of good.

Use it today

Compare two routes or objects in three sentences. Include one comparative with -er and one with more.