COMPARATIVES (Basic) (EXERCISE B10E20)

GRAMMAR:

Comparative is the name for the grammar used when comparing two things. The two basic ways to compare are using as .. as or than.

Example: She is twice as old as her sister

When comparing with as .. as, the adjective does not change. When comparing with than, however, some changes are necessary, depending on the number of syllables the adjective has.

1-syllable adjectives: add -er to the adjective.  E.g. My sister is taller than me.                                  Note: If the word ends: consonant-vowel-consonant, then the last consonant is usually doubled in the comparative. Examples: big-bigger, fat-fatter, hot-hotter.

2-syllable adjectives ending in -y: change the -y to –ier. E.g. This test is easier than the last one.  

                                                                                                          

Other 2-syllable adjectives: use more with the unchanged adjective.  E.g. The shops are always         

                                                                                                       more crowded just before Christmas.

Adjectives with 3 or more syllables: use more with the unchanged adjective.

                                                                                                E.g. My sister is more intelligent than me.

Irregular Comparisons: A few of the comparatives and superlatives in English do not follow the usual pattern. Below is a list of common exceptions;  Positive, comparative and superlative.

Positive	Comp.	Super.		Positive	Comp.	Super.
Bad	worse	worst		Badly	worse	worst
Far (distance)	farther	farthest		Far (extent)	further	furthest
good	better	best		Ill	worse	worst
Little (amount)	less	least		Many	more	most
Much	more	most		Well	better	best

1. Write the comparatives.

    (A)  old  ________________     (D)  strong  _____________     (G)  happy  _______________

    (B)  bad ________________      (E)  far  ________________     (H)  careful _______________  

    (C)  large _______________       (F)  difficult ___________       (F)  expensive _____________

2. Complete the sentences. Use a comparative.

(A)  Sue’s car isn’t very big. She wants a _________________________ car.

(B)  This house isn’t very modern. I prefer ________________________ houses.

(C)  You are not very tall. Your brother is ________________________________.

(D)  My chair isn’t very comfortable. Your chair is _________________________.

(E)   Ann’s idea wasn’t very good. My idea was ___________________________.

(F)   My suitcase isn’t very heavy. Your suitcase is ________________________ than mine.

(G)  It isn’t very warm today. It was ______________________________ yesterday. 

(H)  This knife isn’t very sharp. Do you have a ______________________________ one?

    ANSWERS 

1. Write the comparatives.

    (A)  old  - older           (D)  strong  - stronger                 (G)  happy  - happier

    (B)  bad - worse          (E)  far - farther                           (H)  careful – more careful  

    (C)  large - larger       (F)  difficult – more difficult      (F)  expensive – more expensive

2. Complete the sentences. Use a comparative.

(A)  Sue’s car isn’t very big. She wants a bigger car.

(B)  This house isn’t very modern. I prefer more modern houses.

(C)  You are not very tall. Your brother is taller.

(D)  My chair isn’t very comfortable. Your chair is more comfortable.

(E)   Ann’s idea wasn’t very good. My idea was better.

(F)   My suitcase isn’t very heavy. Your suitcase is heavier than mine.

(G)  It isn’t very warm today. It was warmer yesterday. 

(H)  This knife isn’t very sharp. Do you have a sharper one?

TO PRINT