Lesson 3 - Comparative Adjectives

Welcome to Lesson 3. Comparative adjectives help us explain how two people, places, objects, or experiences are different.

Learning objective

By the end of this lesson, you will form comparative adjectives correctly, use than to compare two nouns, and communicate clear comparisons with at least 80% accuracy.

1. What is a comparative adjective?

A comparative adjective compares two things.

• A car is faster than a bike.
• My book is smaller than your book.
• This class is more difficult than that class.

The usual pattern is: noun 1 + be + comparative adjective + than + noun 2.

2. Short adjectives: add -er

Most one-syllable adjectives take -er.

• fast -> faster
• slow -> slower
• small -> smaller

Spelling rules:

• If an adjective ends in e, add only -r: large -> larger.
• For a short consonant-vowel-consonant adjective, double the final consonant: big -> bigger.
• If an adjective ends in consonant + y, change y to i and add -er: happy -> happier.

Do not write more fast or more smaller.

3. Longer adjectives: use more

Many adjectives with two or more syllables use more + adjective.

• interesting -> more interesting
• difficult -> more difficult
• expensive -> more expensive

Do not add -er to these forms. Write more interesting, not interestinger.

4. Meaning and complete comparisons

A comparison must be logical and complete.

Use that one to avoid repeating a singular noun: This book is more interesting than that one.

5. Vocabulary for this lesson

6. Guided speaking practice

Compare these pairs aloud: a car and a bike; two classes; two movies; two games; and two books.

Model responses:

• A car is faster than a bike.
• This class is more difficult than that class.
• The movie is more interesting than the game.
• My book is smaller than your book.

Give a reason for one comparison if possible: This movie is more interesting than that one because the story is stronger.

7. Guided listening practice

Listen to or read each sentence. Write the comparative adjective you hear.

1. A car is faster than a bike.
2. This book is more interesting than that one.
3. The game is more difficult than the movie.
4. My class is smaller than your class.
5. The bike is slower than the car.
6. The blue bag is bigger than the black bag.

8. Controlled practice

Write the comparative form: big, interesting, slow, difficult, fast, and small.

Then complete the sentence frames with a comparative and than:

1. A car is ___ a bike.
2. This book is ___ that one.
3. My class is ___ your class.
4. The movie is ___ the game.

Possible answers include faster than, more interesting than, smaller than, and more interesting than. Your choice must make logical sense.

9. Independent practice

Write five original comparisons. Use three short-adjective comparatives and two more + adjective forms. Include than in every sentence.

10. Quick summary and assessment

• Use -er with most short adjectives.
• Use more with many longer adjectives.
• Follow spelling rules: big -> bigger; happy -> happier; large -> larger.
• Use than when naming the second item.
• Never use a double form such as more faster.

Complete all 15 lesson-practice questions. 12 out of 15 meets the target.

Exit ticket

Compare two objects near you using one short adjective and one longer adjective.

Homework

1. Write six comparative sentences using at least four lesson adjectives.
2. Create a chart comparing five pairs of items.
3. Write five or six sentences comparing two cities, classes, hobbies, or other familiar things.