Comparative Adjectives Worksheet for English Learners

Mastering Comparative Adjectives: A Comprehensive Guide for English Learners

Comparative adjectives are a fundamental aspect of the English language, used to compare two things or people. As an English learner, understanding how to form and use comparative adjectives is essential to improve your language skills. In this article, we will delve into the world of comparative adjectives, providing you with a comprehensive guide on how to form, use, and practice them.

What are Comparative Adjectives?

Comparative adjectives are used to compare two things or people, highlighting the differences between them. They are formed by adding the suffix “-er” to the base adjective or by using the word “more” before the base adjective. For example:

• Big → Bigger
• Happy → Happier
• Beautiful → More beautiful

Forming Comparative Adjectives

There are two ways to form comparative adjectives:

1. Adding the suffix “-er”: Most one-syllable adjectives and some two-syllable adjectives form their comparative by adding the suffix “-er”. For example:
   • Big → Bigger
   • Happy → Happier
   • Tall → Taller
2. Using “more”: Most two-syllable and all three-syllable adjectives form their comparative by using the word “more”. For example:
   • Beautiful → More beautiful
   • Interesting → More interesting
   • Difficult → More difficult

Using Comparative Adjectives

Comparative adjectives are used to compare two things or people. They can be used in various sentence structures, including:

• As + comparative adjective + as: used to compare two things or people that are equal in some way.
  • She is as tall as her brother.
• Comparative adjective + than: used to compare two things or people that are different in some way.
  • He is taller than his brother.
• The + comparative adjective: used to compare two things or people, emphasizing the difference between them.
  • This cake is the sweeter of the two.

Common Comparative Adjectives

Here are some common comparative adjectives:

• Big → Bigger
• Small → Smaller
• Happy → Happier
• Sad → Sadder
• Old → Older
• Young → Younger
• Hot → Hotter
• Cold → Colder
• Easy → Easier
• Difficult → More difficult

Practice Exercises

Practice makes perfect! Try the following exercises to improve your understanding and usage of comparative adjectives:

1. Complete the following sentences using the correct comparative adjective:
   • This cake is _______________________ (sweet) than the one we had yesterday.
   • He is _______________________ (tall) than his brother.
   • She is _______________________ (happy) when she’s with her friends.
2. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the comparative adjective:
   • The new phone is _______________________ (expensive) than the old one.
   • The weather is _______________________ (hot) today than it was yesterday.
   • The movie is _______________________ (interesting) than the book.

📝 Note: Remember to use the correct form of the comparative adjective, either by adding the suffix "-er" or using the word "more".

Common Mistakes

Be aware of the following common mistakes when using comparative adjectives:

• Using the wrong form of the comparative adjective (e.g., “more bigger” instead of “bigger”).
• Using comparative adjectives to compare more than two things (use superlative adjectives instead).
• Using comparative adjectives to describe a permanent quality (use positive adjectives instead).

Conclusion

Mastering comparative adjectives is an essential part of learning English. By understanding how to form and use comparative adjectives, you can improve your language skills and communicate more effectively. Practice regularly and avoid common mistakes to become a proficient English speaker.