Comparative Degree of Comparison Lesson: A Simple Guide

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Updated: Feb 4, 2025

Lesson

Lesson Overview

What Is the Comparative Degree?
How to Use Comparative Degree of Comparison in Sentence
Examples of Comparative Degree of Comparison
Comparative Degree of Comparison Assessment

Comparative degrees add detail and clarity to descriptions, making them more impactful. Mastering comparatives improves both written and spoken expression. Understanding how to form and use comparatives makes your writing and speaking more precise and descriptive.

What Is the Comparative Degree?

The comparative degree is used to express a greater or lesser degree of a quality possessed by one thing or person in comparison to another. It signifies a difference between two entities, indicating which one has more or less of a particular attribute. This comparison can relate to any measurable or quantifiable characteristic, such as size, speed, cost, intelligence, or beauty.

Example: "Mount Everest is higher than K2." In the sentence, "higher" is used as a comparative degree.

How to Use Comparative Degree of Comparison in Sentence

Using the comparative degree correctly is essential for clear and accurate communication and the comparative function:

1. Choosing the Correct Form:

As discussed previously, the form of the comparative depends on the length of the adjective or adverb and whether it is irregular. Remember these rules:

Short adjectives: Add "-er" (e.g., stronger, older).
Long adjectives and most adverbs: Use "more" (e.g., more intelligent, more quickly).
Irregular adjectives and adverbs: Memorize their unique forms (e.g., better, worse).

2. Making Direct Comparisons:

Comparatives are most commonly used to compare two things directly. The word "than" is crucial in these constructions. The basic structure is:

Examples:

"My house is bigger than yours."
"She runs faster than he does."

3. Using "Less" for Comparison:

To express a smaller degree of a quality, use "less" before the adjective or adverb. "Than" is still used to introduce the second element of the comparison.

Examples:

"This car is less expensive than that one."
"He is less confident than he used to be."

4. Comparisons with Verbs:

Comparatives can also modify verbs, often with adverbs.

Examples:

"He works harder than anyone else in the office."
"She studies more diligently than her classmates."

5. Parallel Comparisons:

Parallel comparisons show how two things change together. They often use "the...the" structure.

Examples:

"The more you practice, the better you become."
"The hotter it gets, the more tired I feel."

6. Avoiding Common Errors:

Double Comparatives: Do not use both "-er" and "more" together (e.g., "more taller" is incorrect).
Incorrect Word Choice: Make sure you are using the correct comparative form for the adjective or adverb.
Unclear Comparisons: Ensure that the comparison is clear and that it is obvious what two things are being compared.
Superlative vs. Comparative: Don't use a superlative (e.g., biggest) when you only want to compare two things.

Take This Quiz :

Degree of Comparison: Grammar Quiz

Examples of Comparative Degree of Comparison

Some comparative examples of the comparative degree, categorized for clarity and understanding:

1. Short Adjectives (Adding "-er"):

Size: "This box is bigger than that one." (big - bigger)
Age: "My brother is older than me." (old - older)
Height: "She is taller than her sister." (tall - taller)
Speed: "A cheetah is faster than a lion." (fast - faster)
Weight: "This bag is heavier than the other one." (heavy - heavier)
Temperature: "Today is colder than yesterday." (cold - colder)
Strength: "He is stronger than he looks." (strong - stronger)
Cleverness: "She is cleverer than I thought." (clever - cleverer)
Kindness: "He is kinder than most people." (kind - kinder)
Nearness: "The shop is nearer than I expected." (near - nearer)

2. Long Adjectives (Using "more"):

Beauty: "This painting is more beautiful than that one."
Expense: "This car is more expensive than my old one."
Intelligence: "She is more intelligent than her classmates."
Importance: "This meeting is more important than the last one."
Difficulty: "This exam is more difficult than I anticipated."
Comfort: "This chair is more comfortable than the one in my office."
Creativity: "He is more creative than his colleagues."
Generosity: "She is more generous than anyone I know."
Patience: "He is more patient than I am."
Popularity: "This singer is more popular than she used to be."

3. Adverbs (Using "more"):

Quickly: "He ran more quickly than his opponent."
Carefully: "She drives more carefully than she did before the accident."
Clearly: "He explained the concept more clearly than the textbook."
Frequently: "She visits her family more frequently now that she lives closer."
Easily: "He solves problems more easily than I do."

4. Irregular Comparatives:

Good: "This cake tastes better than the one I made last week."
Bad: "The weather is worse today than it was yesterday."
Far: "My house is farther/further from the school than yours."
Little: "I have less time to spare than I did last week."

5. Comparisons with "Less":

Expensive: "This apartment is less expensive than the one downtown."
Interesting: "This book is less interesting than her previous novel."
Important: "This issue is less important than the one we discussed earlier."