Comparatives in English
In English grammar, comparatives are used to compare two things or people. They indicate that one thing or person has more or less of a quality than the other. Comparatives are formed by adding "-er" to the end of short adjectives or by using "more" before long adjectives. Here are some examples:
1. Short adjectives:
- Fast: faster
- Big: bigger
- Small: smaller
2. Long adjectives:
- Beautiful: more beautiful
- Expensive: more expensive
- Intelligent: more intelligent
It is important to note that some adjectives have irregular comparative forms. Here are a few examples:
- Good: better
- Bad: worse
- Far: farther/further
In addition to adjectives, comparatives can also be used with adverbs. The form is similar to the one used for short adjectives, where you add "-er" to the end or use "more" before the adverb. For example:
- Fast: faster
- Quickly: more quickly
Comparatives are often used in sentences to make comparisons. Here are some examples:
1. Positive form: My car is fast.
2. Comparative form: Your car is faster than mine.
3. Superlative form: His car is the fastest of all.
When comparing two things or people, we use "than" after the comparative form. For example:
- Sarah is taller than John.
- This book is more interesting than that one.
Sometimes, we use "as...as" to make a comparative sentence. This indicates that two things or people have the same level of a quality. For example:
- Emma is as tall as her sister.
- This car is as fast as the other one.
In conclusion, comparatives are an essential part of English grammar. They allow us to express comparisons between different things or people. By adding "-er" to short adjectives or using "more" before long adjectives, we can form comparatives. At the same time, it is crucial to remember that some adjectives have irregular comparative forms. Comparatives are used in sentences to make comparisons, and we use "than" or "as...as" to indicate the comparison.