1.
The
Comparative
The Grass is Always
Greener on the
Other Side
12
Focus on Grammar 2
Part XII, Unit 40
By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ Wells
Copyright © 2006. Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

2.
Work Talk 1Work Talk 1
So, how was
your first day at
your new job?
So, how was
your first day at
your new job?
Well, my old job
was much better
than this job.
Oh, really?
What was your
old job like?

3.
Work Talk 2Work Talk 2
Oh, I see. Well, I
guess the grass is
always greener on
the other side.
Oh, I see. Well, I
guess the grass is
always greener on
the other side.
My old job was easier than this
job.
My old job was easier than this
job.
the old
job
the new job
My old boss was nicer than my new boss.My old boss was nicer than my new boss.
the old
boss
the new
boss
My office at my old job was more comfortable.My office at my old job was more comfortable.
the old
office
the new
office

4.
Comparative AdjectivesComparative Adjectives
Use the comparative form of an adjective +
than to compare two people, places, or things.
my dad his dad
My dad is
stronger than
your dad.

5.
Olga’s house is
larger than
my house.
Olga’s house is
larger than
my house.
Sergiy’s car
is
older than
my car.
Sergiy’s car
is
older than
my car.
Form 1Form 1
To form the comparative of most short (one-syllable)
adjectives, add –er to the adjective. Add only –r if the
adjective ends in e.
large -r = larger+old -er = older+

6.
Form 2Form 2
To form the comparative of adjectives that end in
consonant + y, change the y to i and add –er.
busy -ier = busier+
Sarah is
busier than
John.

7.
Form 3Form 3
To form the comparative of most adjectives of two or
more syllables, add more before the adjective.
more intelligent more intelligent+ =
The student is
more intelligent
than the teacher.
The student is
more intelligent
than the teacher.

8.
Practice 1Practice 1
Write the comparative form of
the adjectives. Then compare
yourself to a friend.
Example: tall taller than
1. friendly
2. smart
3. popular
4. funny
5. loud
6. outgoing
friendlier than
smarter than
more popular than
funnier than
louder than
more outgoing than
I am
taller than
George.
Steve is
taller than
I am.

9.
Exceptions 1Exceptions 1
Tired, bored, and fun are one-syllable adjectives that
follow the pattern of long adjectives.
tired  more tired than
I am
more tired than
he is.
bored  more bored than
I am
more bored than
he is.
fun  more fun than
This is
more fun than
that is.

10.
Our old neighbors were
quieter than
these new neighbors.
Exceptions 2Exceptions 2
Quiet and simple are two-syllable adjectives that follow
the pattern of one-syllable adjectives.
quiet  quieter thansimple  simpler than
French was
simpler than
English.
English
F

11.
Less and MoreLess and More
Less is the opposite of more.
Sandra is
more famous than
Liliana.
Liliana is
less famous than
Sandra.
SandraLiliana

12.
Irregular FormsIrregular Forms
The adjectives good, bad, and far have
irregular comparative forms.
good  better
My popcorn is
good, but his
popcorn is
better.
bad  worse
My customer’s
hairstyle is worse.
My customer’s
hairstyle is bad.
far  farther
Denver, Colorado, is
far from
San Francisco. Chicago, Illinois, is
even farther from
San
Francisco.

13.
MuchMuch
Use much to make comparisons stronger.
the new
boyfriendthe old
boyfriend
My new boyfriend is much
more handsome than my
old boyfriend.

14.
Practice 2Practice 2
Use the adjectives to compare
the two teachers. Try to use
much, not as, and less.
strict nice good interesting
old popular angry
Teacher A Teacher B
Teacher A is not as strict as Teacher B.Teacher B is stricter than Teacher A.

15.
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education and
its licensors. All rights reserved.
ReferencesReferences