Language and Grammar, continued

  • 1 TRY OUT LANGUAGE

  • 2 LEARN GRAMMAR

  • 3 APPLY ON YOUR OWN

Use Adjectives That Compare

You can use adjectives to compare two people, places, or things.

EXAMPLESOur garden in the U.S. is smaller than our garden in China.
My house in the U.S. is more modern than my house in China.

There are two ways to turn an adjective into a comparative adjective.

  • 1. If the adjective has one syllable, add -er.

    If it ends in y, change the y to i before you add -er.

    EXAMPLESlonglonger
    talltaller
    sillysillier

  • 2. If the adjective has three or more syllables, use more before the adjective.

    EXAMPLESdifficultmore difficult
    expensivemore expensive

If the adjective has two syllables, sometimes you say it either way. Use the form that is easier to say.

EXAMPLESfriendlyfriendlier or more friendly
nervousmore nervous

Practice Together

Change the adjective in the box to a comparative adjective. Say it. Then say the sentence with the comparative adjective.

1.fancyThe festivals in Mexico are ______ than the festivals in the U.S.
2.colorfulThe girls’ costumes are ______ than the boys’ costumes.
3.loudThe music is ______ than the crowd.
4.friendlyThe people in the parade are ______ than the crowd.
Some of the girls are shorter than the boy.

Some of the girls are shorter than the boy.

Try It!

Change the adjective in the box to a comparative adjective. Write it on a card. Then say the sentence, and add the comparative adjective.

5.happyI am ______ at the festival than I am at home.
6.popularThe music is ______ with teens than with adults.
7.deliciousYour food is delicious, but my food is ______.
8.longYour performance is long, but mine is ______.