Practice
Comparative structures: show change and degree
A shorter route may be faster, but a better route can save time even when it is longer. Comparative structures help you show that difference clearly.
Use comparative structures to compare two things, show equal degree, and describe how one change is connected to another.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
The more clearly you speak, the easier people can follow you. /ə ˈmɔːr ˈklɪrli ju spiːk, ði ˈiːziər ˈpiːpəl kən ˈfɑloʊ ju/
The short answer
Use a comparative plus than to compare two things. Use as ... as for equal degree. Use the + comparative, the + comparative to link one change with another.
The earlier train is less crowded than the later one.
Why it works: Less crowded compares the number of people on two trains. Than introduces the second train.
6 more examples
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This route is safer than the road by the river.
Safer compares two routes. The adjective takes -er because safe is short.
Not this:This route is
more dangerous thanthe road by the river. What changes: Dangerous is longer, so use more before the adjective. -
The evening class is more flexible than the morning class.
More flexible compares the schedule of two classes.
Not this:The evening class is
less formal thanthe morning class. What changes: Less shows a lower degree of the quality. -
The new desk is as wide as the old one.
As wide as says that the two desks have the same width.
Not this:The new desk is
not as wide asthe old one. What changes: Not as wide as says that the first desk has less width. -
The more carefully you plan, the fewer mistakes you make.
The first comparative names a change in planning. The second comparative names the connected result.
Not this:
The less carefullyyou plan, the more mistakes you make. What changes: Less carefully reverses the first change and changes the likely result. -
My apartment is getting quieter after midnight.
Getting quieter shows a gradual change over time.
Not this:My apartment is
getting more peacefulafter midnight. What changes: Use more with the longer adjective peaceful. -
The instructions were clearer after the manager added an example.
Clearer compares the instructions before and after one change.
Not this:The instructions were
much clearerafter the manager added an example. What changes: Much strengthens the comparative without changing its basic pattern.
Read the full guide
A comparative form often answers one of three questions: Which thing has more or less of a quality? Are two things equal in one quality? Does one change happen as another change happens? The structure changes with the question, so choose the meaning before you build the sentence.
Compare two things
Use a comparative plus than when you put two things side by side. Many short adjectives take -er. Longer adjectives usually take more or less before the adjective. Name the second thing after than.
This route is safer than the road by the river.
Safer tells the listener which route has the higher level of safety. The road by the river is the comparison point.
Choose the form:
The evening class is more flexible than the morning class. Flexible needs more, and than introduces the second class.
Use less when the degree is lower
Less before an adjective compares a lower degree of that quality. It does not mean that the first thing has no quality at all. Use it when the difference matters more than a simple opposite adjective.
The evening class is less formal than the morning class.
Less formal says that both classes may have rules, but the evening class has a lower degree of formality.
The earlier train is less crowded than the later one.
Less crowded compares the number of people without claiming that the train is empty.
Complete the sentence:
Use less expensive: The library is less expensive than the private office. The comparison is about cost.
Show equal degree with as ... as
Use as + adjective or adverb + as when two things have the same stated degree. Put not before the first as when the first thing has a lower degree. The adjective stays in its base form.
The new desk is as wide as the old one.
Wide stays in its base form because as ... as does not use a comparative adjective.
Mina arrived as early as her colleague.
Early describes how Mina arrived. The structure compares the time of arrival.
Choose the complete structure:
Use not as quiet as: The cafe is not as quiet as the study room. Quiet stays in its base form.
Describe linked changes
Use the + comparative, the + comparative when one change is connected with another. Each half begins with the. The sentence can describe a pattern, a likely result, or a practical relationship.
The more carefully you plan, the fewer mistakes you make.
More carefully is an adverb comparison. Fewer mistakes uses fewer because mistakes are countable.
The longer we waited, the colder the room became.
The first half measures time. The second half shows the connected change in temperature.
Finish the pattern:
Write the easier: The more you practice, the easier the task feels. Both halves need the.
Show a change over time
Getting + comparative describes something that is changing gradually. Use getting + -er with a short adjective and getting more or less + adjective with many longer adjectives. Add a time phrase when it helps the listener understand the change.
My apartment is getting quieter after midnight.
Getting quieter tells the listener that the apartment changes over time. It does not compare two apartments.
The instructions were clearer after the manager added an example.
Clearer compares the instructions at two points in time: before and after the added example.
Choose the form for a gradual change:
Use getting more reliable: The connection is getting more reliable. Reliable is a longer adjective.
Before you go
Remember this
Choose a basic comparative for two items, as ... as for equal degree, and the + comparative, the + comparative for linked changes. Use than after a basic comparison. Then check that both sides of the sentence name comparable things.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Comparative structures: show change and degree"
When do I use -er and when do I use more?
Use -er with many short adjectives, such as safer or quieter. Use more with many longer adjectives, such as more flexible. Learn irregular forms separately, including better and worse.
This route is safer than the road by the river.
What is the difference between less and fewer?
Use fewer with countable plural nouns, such as fewer mistakes. Use less with uncountable nouns, such as less traffic or less time. This choice depends on the noun after the comparative.
This route is more dangerous than the road by the river.
How do I use as ... as?
Use as + adjective or adverb + as to show equal degree. Say that one desk is as wide as another desk. For a lower degree, use not as ... as and keep the adjective in its base form.
The evening class is more flexible than the morning class.
What does the + comparative, the + comparative mean?
This structure connects two changes. It can describe a pattern, such as more careful planning being connected with fewer mistakes. Put the before both comparative parts.
The evening class is less formal than the morning class.
Can I use much with a comparative?
Yes. Much can strengthen a comparative when the difference is large or clear. For example, instructions can become much clearer after a useful example is added. Do not use much directly before a base adjective in this meaning.
The new desk is as wide as the old one.