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You use comparative
adjectives to compare two things. Sometimes these
adjectives require the word more before them, and
sometimes they have an –er added onto the end
of the adjective itself. So how
will you know when to use which version?
If the
adjective has only one syllable, an –er is added onto
the end. If the word already ends in e, then just add
r.
Ex. Slow
becomes slower.
Ex. Wise
becomes wiser.
Ex. Fat
becomes fatter.
Notice that
in the last example, the writer added an extra t
before adding the –er. When the adjective ends in a
single vowel followed by a single consonant (as in fat),
you have to double the final consonant and add –er to
make the adjective’s comparative form (fatter).
Note that if the word ends in a vowel sound, like slow,
the ending consonant will not be doubled.
These
aren’t the only irregular changes for an –er ending. One-
(and sometimes two-) syllable words that end in y
will require you to change the y to i before
adding –er.
Ex.
Scary becomes scarier.
Ex. Dry
becomes drier.
Ex.
Shiny becomes shinier.
But what of
the adjectives that are two or more syllables? For
comparative adjectives, the word more is added.
Ex.
Beautiful becomes more beautiful.
Ex.
Insidious becomes more insidious.
Ex.
Fantastic becomes more fantastic.
Now, what
do you do if you have a pair of adjectives, one of which
requires er and the other of which requires more?
The adjective with –er goes first.
Ex. She was
sadder and more depressed than Steve.
Finally,
there are some irregular comparative adjectives that will
change completely.
Ex. Good
becomes better.
Ex.
Little becomes less.
Ex. Bad
becomes worse.
Note:
Little can also become littler depending on the meaning of
little.
Ex. The
mouse was littler than the rat.
Ex. There
was less of a crowd at Target than at Best Buy the day after
Thanksgiving.
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