A2 Elementary Comparison and adverbs of manner
Comparative — long adjectives
Lesson goal. After this lesson you can compare with long adjectives using more … than, and you will stop writing more taller.
When to use it
- Comparing two people, things or activities: This book is more interesting than that one.
- Giving a reason for a choice: I take the bus because it is more convenient.
- Very common in school writing and speaking tasks.
Form
| Adjective type | Comparative | Example |
|---|---|---|
| one syllable (short) | + er + than | tall → taller than |
| two syllables ending in -y | drop y, + ier | happy → happier than |
| other two-syllable words and words of three or more syllables | more + … + than | careful → more careful than |
| irregular | learn by heart | good → better · bad → worse · far → further |
Step by step
- Count the syllables.
- One syllable → add -er. Three or more → use more.
- Two syllables: ending in -y follows the short pattern (-ier); otherwise use more.
- Always keep than when a second element follows.
Never use both
| Wrong | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| more taller | taller | tall is a short adjective. |
| more easier | easier | easy already has -ier. |
| more better | better | better is already a comparative. |
| expensiver | more expensive | expensive is a long adjective. |
Examples
This exercise is more difficult than the last one.
My sister is more careful than me.
Da Lat is more peaceful than Ho Chi Minh City.
Learning English is easier than I thought.
Your idea is better than mine.
This phone is more expensive, but it is also better.
Common mistakes
She is more taller than me. → She is taller than me.
Use only one marker: either -er or more. Learners add more thinking it strengthens the comparison.
This film is more good than that one. → This film is better than that one.
good is irregular → better.
My bag is heavier that yours. → My bag is heavier than yours.
The comparison word is than, not that. They are easy to confuse.
Memory tip
Count syllables by clapping as you say the word: tall is one clap → -er. ex-pen-sive is three → more.
Summary
- Short adjectives → -er + than; long adjectives → more … than.
- Two syllables ending in -y follow the short pattern: happier, easier.
- Never use more and -er together.
Practise this lesson
Do exercises with an explanation for every question, take mini tests and track your progress on GrammUp.