Comparing in English

Have you ever wanted to say which ramen shop is better or which anime is more interesting? That’s where comparatives and superlatives come in. They help us compare two or more things in English.

But before we learn the rules, we need to know how long an adjective is. In English, we don’t measure length by letters — we measure it by syllables.

What is a Syllable?

A syllable is a single sound unit in a word — usually one vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u).
Every time your mouth opens and you make a vowel sound, that’s one syllable.

👉 Think of it as the “beats” of the word.

Examples:

• big → 1 syllable (🟢 big)

• hap-py → 2 syllables (🟢 hap | py)

• in-ter-est-ing → 4 syllables (🟢 in | ter | est | ing)

Why Syllables Matter in Comparatives & Superlatives

The number of syllables in an adjective decides if we add –er/–est or use more/most.

1 syllable (short words):
Add –er / –est

• small → smaller / the smallest

• tall → taller / the tallest

2 syllables:
➡️ If it ends in –y, change –y to –i and add –er / –est

• happy → happier / the happiest
  ➡️ Otherwise, usually use more / most

• peaceful → more peaceful / the most peaceful

3+ syllables (long words):
Always use more / most

• interesting → more interesting / the most interesting

• expensive → more expensive / the most expensive

Common Mistakes & Tips

❌ more better → Just say better.
❌ the most easiest → Just say the easiest.
✔️ Always use the with superlatives (the biggest, the most expensive).
✔️ Remember that “than” goes with comparatives, not superlatives.

Good / Bad / Well:

• good (adjective) → better / the best

  • This sushi is better than that one.

• bad (adjective) → worse / the worst

  • That was the worst test I’ve ever taken.

• well (adverb) → better / the best

  • She sings better than me.

Practice Quiz

1. My bag is ______ (heavy) than yours.

2. This is the ______ (interesting) book I’ve ever read.

3. Which sentence is correct?
   a) Tokyo is more big than Kyoto.
   b) Tokyo is bigger than Kyoto.

4. That was the ______ (bad) movie I’ve seen this year.

5. Today is ______ (hot) than yesterday.

6. Which sentence is correct?
   a) She sings more well than her sister.
   b) She sings better than her sister.

7. Choose the correct form:
   Mount Everest is the ______ mountain in the world. (high)

Wrap-Up

Comparatives and superlatives make conversations more colorful and clear. Next time you talk about food, travel, or hobbies, try using them! For example:

• Which season is hotter, summer or winter?

• What’s the best place you’ve visited in Japan?

👉 Practice by comparing things around you: “My chair is more comfortable than the sofa,” or “This is the best dessert I’ve ever eaten!”