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The quick answer
Use a comparative adjective — usually adjective + -er, or more + adjective — to compare exactly two people or things. Say My house is bigger than yours, not My house is more big.
Comparative adjectives: comparing two things
A comparative compares exactly two things and usually pairs with than.
The rule
A comparative compares two things, and the second one usually follows than. Short adjectives (one syllable, and some two-syllable ones) add -er: tall → taller than. A single vowel plus consonant doubles the consonant: big → bigger than. A final -y changes to -i: happy → happier than. Longer adjectives use more instead of an ending: beautiful → more beautiful than. A few common adjectives are irregular: good → better than, bad → worse than.
Form
| Adjective type | Comparative | Example |
|---|---|---|
| short adjective | adjective + er + than | taller than Tom |
| long adjective | more + adjective + than | more beautiful than the zoo |
| irregular | better / worse + than | better than coffee |
Examples
- Sam is taller than Tom.
- A car is faster than a bike.
- The park is more beautiful than the zoo.
- Tea is better than coffee for me.
- Winter is colder than summer here.
Common mistakes
- ❌ My house is more big. → ✅ My house is bigger. Short adjectives take -er, never more.
- ❌ This film is beautifuler. → ✅ This film is more beautiful. Long adjectives take more, never -er.
- ❌ He is more good at football. → ✅ He is better at football. Good is irregular.
- ❌ An elephant is the heavier than a dog. → ✅ An elephant is heavier than a dog. Never put the before a comparative.