Comparing People, Places and Things
Comparative
Use the comparative to form a comparison between two people, places, things, etc. The comparative form expresses that one object has more of a characteristic than the other. Begin the sentence with the first object followed by the use of 'than' for the second object.
Example:
She finds that gaining computer access is more difficult than gaining access to filing cabinets.
Food service management is as complicated today as it ever was.
The reservation desk is further from the restroom than the bar.
The rate of ticket purchases is worse this year than last.
The comparative adjective form is determined by the number of syllables in the adjective. The general rule is that all adjectives that have one syllable add '-er'. Adjectives with three syllables or more take 'more + adjective'. The following explanation provides examples and exceptions to these rules.
One Syllable Adjectives
Add '-er' to the end of the adjective (Note: double the final consonant if preceded by a vowel).
Example:
Furnishing hotel rooms is cheaper this year.
The employee dining room is smaller than the customer's dining room.
Two Syllable Adjectives Ending in '-y'
Replace then final '-y' with '-ier'.
Example:
The lunchroom is busier this week than last week.
The mini-bars are smokier than the restaurant.
Two or More Syllable Adjectives
Place 'more' before the adjective.
Example:
She thinks her requests are more important than the customer's requests.
She finds that gaining computer access is more difficult than gaining access to filing cabinets.
Important Exceptions
good - better
bad - worse
fun - more fun
far - farther / further
Example:
The reservation desk is further from the restroom than the bar.
The housekeeping department keeps better books than accounting.
Wake-up calls are better in the morning than at night.
As ... as
The form 'as as + adjective + as' expresses the fact that the characteristic is the same in each object. The negative form 'isn't / aren't as + adjective + as' can be used instead of the comparative. The adjective is not altered in this form.
Example:
Profit isn't as easy to find in 2010 as it was in 2007.
Gourmet coffee is not as tasty as ice cream.
Food service management is as complicated today as it ever was.