Short adjectives (one syllable or two-syllable words that end in -y)
Adjective + er + (than)
| noisy – noisier | pretty – prettier | cheap – cheaper | slow – slower |
| lucky – luckier | heavy -heavier | long – longer | large – larger |
| easy – easier | happy – happier | old – older | strong – stronger |
| early – earlier | dry – drier | nice – nicer | small – smaller |
“This book is cheaper than that one” – “This one is cheaper”
“My hair is longer than yours” – “My hair is longer”
“I’m older than you” – “I’m older”
“English is easier than Maths” – “English is easier”
Long adjectives (+2 syllables)
More + adjective + (than)
| careful – more careful | difficult – more difficult |
| expensive – more expensive | reliable – more reliable |
| intelligent – more intelligent | interesting – more interesting |
| patient – more patient | peaceful – more peaceful |
“You need to be more careful than yesterday” – “You need to be more careful”
“Your house is more expensive than mine” – “Your house is more expensive”
“My car is more reliable than yours” – “My car is more reliable”
“My teacher is more patient than yours” – “My teacher is more patient”
Some adjectives and adverbs can accept ‘-er’ or ‘more’:
| Gentle – gentler / more gentle | Narrow – narrower / more narrow |
| Simple – simpler / more simple | Quiet – quieter / more quiet |
| Clever – cleverer / more clever | Shallow – shallower / more shallow |
| Common – commoner / more common | Cruel – crueller / more cruel |
| Handsome – handsomer / more handsome | Likely – likelier / more likely |
| Pleasant – pleasanter / more pleasant | Polite – politer / more polite |
| Stupid – stupider / more stupid |