What are Comparative Adjectives? Definition, Types, Rules, & Examples

When it comes to bringing out the best in comparing the nature of humans or two things, there is nothing better than comparative adjectives. In fact, they are more capable of comparison than any other regular form of adjectives. But, the real deal is how to use them without hurting the grammar rules in English. 

That is where this blog article will guide you through the definition of comparative adjectives, along with their types, rules and examples. So that, the next time you use them, you can resonate with the confidence of a grammar nazi. 

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What are Comparative Adjectives? – Definition

When we go by the books, the Comparative Adjectives come into action to compare two things in a sentence. Its formation contains the adjective + suffix (-er) or the word “more” before the adjective. So, theoretically, any adjective can act as a comparative adjective, as long as it fulfils the rule of formation. 

Let’s take a look at the example given below for a better understanding:

Adjective	Comparative
Big	Bigger
Fast	Faster
Intelligent	More Intelligent

What are the 3 Types of Comparative Adjectives?

There are three types of Comparative Adjectives you can apply to your writing, speech, or any other occasion:

• Regular Comparative Adjectives
• Irregular Comparative Adjectives
• Periphrastic Comparative Adjectives

However, to know in detail about these types of adjectives, you should check the information available henceforth. 

Regular Comparative Adjectives

To make comparisons with the Regular Comparative Adjectives, you need to add the suffix “-er” to the end of adjectives. For example:

Adjective	Comparative
Cold	Colder
Expensive	More Expensive

Irregular Comparative Adjectives

On the other hand, some adjectives have irregular forms. In other words, you would get a new word after making the comparison as demonstrated in the example below:

Adjective	Comparative
Good	Better
Bad	Worse
Far	Farther/Further
Little	Less
Much	More

Periphrastic Adjectives

Unlike Regular and Irregular ones, the formation of Periphrastic Adjectives requires you to add “more” before the adjective. Moreover, this is applicable to wordy adjectives or the ones containing  “y” at the end. 

Take a look at the following examples for a better understanding:

Adjective	Comparative
Expensive	More Expensive
Intelligent	More Intelligent
Beautiful	More Beautiful

Learn About the Degree of Comparison Rules Here!

Comparative Adjectives Rules

Learning all about the types of Comparative Adjectives will surely enhance your knowledge. However, there are certain rules you need to be aware of while implying these adjectives into usage. So, let’s take a look at the specific rules of this Adjective.

Rule 1: Use the Comparative degree to compare ‘two’ things. 

Example: My new car is faster than my old one. 

Rule 2: Be sure to include “than” to indicate what you are comparing something to.

Example: Sam has become smarter than he used to before.  

Rule 3: When using the Superlative degree, be sure to include the article ‘the’ that you are talking about the most or least. 

Example: This is the best book I have ever read. 

Examples of Comparative Adjectives

Now that you have come so far, go through these examples of adjectives and try to find which rules from the above are applicable here:

1. The weather is getting colder and colder.

2. This house is more expensive than that house.
3. This restaurant has better food than that restaurant.
4. She is taller than me.
5. He is stronger than his father.
6. I’m more intelligent than my brother.

7. They are smarter than us.
8. This cat is fluffier than that cat.
9. This pizza is tastier than that pizza.
10. This movie is funnier than that movie.

11. This song is more popular than that song.
12. This dress is more beautiful than that dress.
13. This vacation is more relaxing than that vacation.

Explore more exciting reads below:

More from Idioms	More from Synonyms	More from Antonyms
Idioms to Express Sadness	Synonyms of Ephemeral	Antonyms of Misogyny
Idioms to Express Surprise	Synonyms of Welcome	Antonyms of Brave
Idioms to Express Friendship	Synonyms of Cry	Antonyms of Selfish
Idioms to Express Excitement	Synonyms of Huge	Antonyms of Victim
No Pain No Gain Meaning	Synonyms of Jovial	Antonyms of Lazy

This was all about the Comparative Adjectives. Hope you understand the concept and where it’s used. You can also follow Leverage Edu for more exciting and informative blogs.