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.
The mini-bars are smokier than the restaurant.
Furnishing hotel rooms is cheaper this year.
The banquet rooms are hotter than the basement rooms.
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 banquet rooms are hotter than the basement rooms.
Two Syllable Adjectives Ending in '-y'
Replace then final '-y' with '-ier'.
Example:
The mini-bars are smokier than the restaurant.
Contract management companies are luckier this year than last year.
Two or More Syllable Adjectives
Place 'more' before the adjective.
Example:
She thinks the dietician is more educated than the fry cook.
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 busser is worse than the dishwasher.
The housekeeping department keeps better books than accounting.
The rate of ticket purchases is worse this year than last.
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:
Food service management is as complicated today as it ever was.
Profit isn't as easy to find in 2010 as it was in 2007.
Gourmet coffee is not as tasty as ice cream.