We use adjectives to describe – or modify – a noun. An adjective tells more about a noun.
Sometimes, we use adjectives to compare two nouns. We call those adjectives comparative adjectives.
Usually we add –er to an adjective to show comparison.
Bob is tall.
John is taller.
The word tall is an adjective. The word taller is a comparative adjective.
John’s car is big.
Bill’s car is bigger.
The word big is an adjective. The word bigger is a comparative adjective.
Here are more adjectives and their matching comparative adjective:
slow, slower
fast, faster
An adjective ending in -e needs only an -r added to the word to make it comparative.
safe, safer
ripe, riper
When an adjective ends in -y, the comparative adjective changes -y to -i before adding –er.
pretty, prettier
happy, happier
We use comparative adjectives to show the difference between two nouns. Add -er or -r to an adjective to make it a comparative adjective.