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:
Jack is happier to order parts this week than last.
To overproduce in this economy is worse today than it was last year.
I'm afraid that the widgets that are in process of completion won't be as profitable as expected.
To machine the materials is hotter work than other tasks on site.
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:
This flow rack works faster than previous models.
This month's financial flowchart is sadder than last quarter's flowchart.
Two Syllable Adjectives Ending in '-y'
Replace then final '-y' with '-ier'.
Example:
Jack is happier to order parts this week than last.
The forklift operator is sleepier tonight than he was last night.
Two or More Syllable Adjectives
Place 'more' before the adjective.
Example:
She thinks to make the product on request will be more successful than mass production.
She thinks that her company is more concerned about forecast errors than her previous employer.
Important Exceptions
good - better
bad - worse
fun - more fun
far - farther / further
Example:
To overproduce in this economy is worse today than it was last year.
The upgrade for our guidance system allows us to control details better this year than we did last year.
This hammer is better to weld than the sicycle.
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:
Scheduling a meeting isn't as easy as that anymore.
I'm afraid providing high-density storage for these units won't be as easy as you think.
Stocking the factory with everything we need isn't as easy as that.