English in Chester - English Language Courses for Overseas Students
Bridge Street in Summer

features

A Student's View Video

Stay In Touch Online English Language Practice

Request A Brochure

Book A Course Online

contact us

English in Chester
9-11 Stanley Place
Chester
CH1 2LU
Tel: +44 (0)1244 318913
Fax: +44 (0)1244 320091
send a message »
« back

Stay In Touch

23 May 2008: Comparatives

The weather is getting better and the school is getting busier.

I Thought we might look at comparatives today as there are some quite tricky ones! You know what comparatives are. We use them a lot when we are talking about differences between people, places, books music and so on. Here is an example:

"I can't believe John is Peter's brother. He is so much taller."

The most important thing to remember when thinking about comparatives is that usually we put ...er after the adjective to make the comparative (as in taller) and ...est to make the superlative as in this sentence: "He is the tallest person I have ever seen". Of course there are some adjectives which are different - if there are two or more syllables we can't use that rule so we have to use more and most instead. And there is a spelling rule which you have to try to work out for yourself when you see the first exercise!

Exercise 1
Here are some easy ones! Choose the correct form of the adjective to complete the sentence.
Liverpool is    than Chester.
It is    to stay in a bed and breakfast than in a hotel.
His new car is much    than his old one.
This exercise is much    (look at the spelling) than I thought it would be.
John is much    when it is cold and wet than he is when it is sunny and warm.
Today in fact is the    day of the year.
I don't like Peter at all. In fact I think he is    man I have ever met.
Jack is much nicer than the rest of his family. He's definitely    too.
It was a very interesting lesson today. Much    than the one we had last week.
You often say stupid things but I think that is    thing I have ever heard you say.
Exercise 2
Here are some more difficult ones! Use the word at the end of the sentence to write the correct comparative or superlative to fit in the blank. Don't forget you may have to use more/most as well as ...er/...est.
Mark's Spanish is    than the other boys in his class. FLUENT
You will miss the train again if you don't get up   . EARLY
Of all the politicians he seems to be   . HONEST
It is much    to go by train than drive. QUICK
It is    to hitchhike now than it was when I was young. DANGEROUS
Moscow is apparently the    capital in the world. EXPENSIVE
She lives    from the school than I do, but walks much faster. FAR
She ought to be a    driver, then she wouldn't have so many accidents. CAREFUL
I think this handwriting is probably    I have ever seen! BAD
I have    time than you so could you buy the milk please? LITTLE

Hope things are going well for you all and if you have got exams good luck.
Best wishes from Harriet and all at English in Chester


Online English Language Practice
Online English Language Practice