The Grammar Page

ADRIAN DOFF presents and explains this key point of grammar with notes on a short dialogue.

Master key points of English grammar

Explanations

1. To compare two things, we use the comparative

form of an adjective + than. With short adjectives, we add -er to make the comparative form (slow → slower). If an adjective ends in -y, we change -y to -ier (easy → easier).

2. With longer adjectives (three or more syllables), we add more to form the comparative (comfortable → more comfortable).

3. To say that there is a big difference, we can add much or a lot before the comparative adjective (much more relaxing, a lot better).

4. We can also compare two things using not as... as...

Clara could also say, “Planes produce more CO2 than trains” — this would have the same meaning. 5. Here, Clara adds not nearly as to say that there is a

big difference (not nearly as much).

6. Here, Clara adds a bit and slightly before comparative adjectives to say that there is only a small difference (a bit slower, slightly quicker).

7. Far more means the same as “much more” (= there’s a big difference).

Remember!

To form the comparative of one-syllable adjectives, add -er ⋅ or -r: small → smaller; late → later

Two-syllable ⋅ adjectives ending in -y change -y to -ier: easy → easier; happy → happier

The comparative of most two-syllable adjectives is formed ⋅ with more:

careful → more careful; modern → more modern This is also true of adjectives with three syllables or more: ⋅

expensive → more expensive; interesting → more interesting

A ⋅ few adjectives are irregular:

good → better; bad → worse; far → further

We ⋅ can also make comparisons with (not) as… as…:

Spanish is easier to learn than Portuguese. → Portuguese isn’t as easy to learn as Spanish.

Beyond the basics

To say there is a big difference, add much, a lot or far to the comparative adjective: ⋅ ⋅

This camera is much cheaper than the other one. Let’s not go by bus. It’s far quicker to walk.

To ⋅ say there is a small difference, add a bit or slightly:

This camera is a bit better, but it’s slightly heavier. With as... as..., we can use not... nearly to say there is a ⋅ big difference:

I don’t spend nearly as much money as you do.

In the next issue, we’ll have a look at the superlative form of adjectives.